Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
We are well into the year 2026 already. Time to give a report on the state record fish certified in 2025.
This year’s summary is a relatively short one:
Surface Spearing
No state record fish were taken by surface spearing in 2025.
Underwater Spearfishing
No state record fish were taken by underwater spearfishing in 2025.
Bowfishing
No state record fish were taken by bowfishing in 2025.
Rod and Reel
There were two fish caught on rod and reel that were certified as state records in 2025.
The first of those was a saugeye caught from Branched Oak Reservoir. That fish weighed 8 pounds 15 ounces, was 28 inches long, and was caught on a crankbait.
The second fish was a redear sunfish caught from Duck Creek Reservoir. That fish weighed exactly 2 pounds, was 12.5 inches long and was caught on a nightcrawler. After being certified as a new state record, it was released in the exact same spot from which it was caught.
This blog post is just a short summary of state record activity for the past year. There is more story to the catch of both of those fish, State Record Update, First Half 2025.
Yes, this was a slow year for state record fish. Many of our records have been pushed to the limits of what can be expected for those species in Nebraska waters. I never expect a lot of state records to be submitted in any one year. This year was relatively quiet, and I have no idea why that might have been. There certainly are some opportunities out there, and anytime your line is in the water, you never know!
Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the complete list of Nebraska State Record Fish. While you are at it, look over the rules for certifying a state record, printed in the Fishing Guide.