INDIANA – Each year anglers from around the state submit their biggest catches from Indiana waters hoping they will top the list for their species.
Winning entries for Fish of the Year are determined by the total length of the fish. Participants are required to submit information about their fish, including where they caught it and the bait they used. They must also include a photo documenting the measured length of the fish.
In 2022, 71 anglers submitted entries for 55 different species. Submissions included numerous entries for popular species such as largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and bluegill. Several lesser-known species also received submissions, including emerald shiner, golden shiner, and mottled sculpin.
The top winners in our area include:
Northern Hogsucker | 15.5 | White River (Lawrence) | Ron Anderson |
Hybrid Sunfish | 12.0 | Private Pond (Dubois) | Sam Sermersheim |
Black Crappie | 16.0 | Elk Creek Lake (Washington) | Ray Bateman |
Saugeye | 23.0 | Sullivan Lake (Sullivan) | Wayne Witkowski |
Rainbow Trout (tie) | 19.0 | Strip Pit (Greene) | Steven Kellett |
Golden Shiner | 10.3 | Airline Lake (Greene) | Travis Rowe |
Longnose Gar | 56.0 | Aikman Creek (Daviess) | Hayden Baker |
Shortnose Gar | 28.0 | White River (Greene) | Jeffrey Kellett |
To view the full list of winners and learn more about how to participate in the Fish of the Year program, visit on.IN.gov/RecordFish.