Angler Tony Chavez, of La Junta, with his new record-setting 39 9/16-inch, 27-pound 3.68-ounce flathead catfish.
By Colorado Parks and Wildlife
HASTY, Colo. - A La Junta man has crushed the previous state record for flathead catfish. On Jan. 19, Tony Chavez pulled a monster from the stilling basin below John Martin Reservoir. Chavez's catfish weighed nearly double that of the previous record fish that was caught back in 2011.
Chavez said he lured his new record-setting 39 9/16-inch, 27-pound 3.68-ounce flathead catfish with chicken livers. The previous record holder was a fish from Pueblo Reservoir that weighed 15-pounds 6-ounces and was 32 2/8-inches long.
Flathead catfish were stocked at John Martin sporadically from 1994 - 2009. These fish were acquired from the state of Arkansas through special...