Missouri boy lands giant sunfish, nearly ties 36-year-old record
Fisher Hogan, 11, will be presented a Master Angler Award for his extraordinary catch at a private pond.
An 11-year-old Missouri boy is being honored for his recent catch of a redear sunfish that fell just an ounce shy of the longstanding state record.
Fisher Hogan reeled the 2-pound, 6-ounce redear from a private pond recently near Mountain Grove.
“So close!” the Missouri Department of Conservation exclaimed Friday via X.
The agency will present Fisher with a Master Angler Award for his extraordinary catch.
So close! Fisher Hogan, 11, recently caught this 2-pound, 6-ounce redear sunfish from a private pond near Mountain Home. The fish is just 1-ounce shy of tying the current state record!
Fisher will receive the Master Angler Award for his efforts. Congrats on a near-record fish! pic.twitter.com/p9w4R4wLDL
— MO Conservation (@MDC_online) April 12, 2024
The state record for redear sunfish stands at 2 pounds, 7 ounces, for a 1988 catch at the Whetstone Creek Conservation Area.
For comparison, the world record stands at 6 pounds, 4 ounces, for a 2021 catch at Lake Havasu, Arizona.