VA Sets New Trophy Criteria for Blue Catfish

From Times-Dispatch Resources Dec 24, 2004

On Jan. 1, 2005, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) will increase the trophy size for blue catfish to 30 pounds for a weight citation and 38 inches for a length citation.

Anglers wishing to receive a trophy fish award through the VDGIF angler awards program will need to be aware of these new certification qualifications.

The trophy fish award recognizes anglers for the catch of an outstanding fish of a given species, and trophy sizes for the 23 freshwater species recognized under the program are set accordingly.

When the current trophy size was set for blue catfish - which were introduced into Virginia waters in the James and Rappahannock rivers in the mid-1970s - the minimum citation size was 20 pounds.

As the population of blue catfish has grown, 20 pounds is not an uncommon catch. The new trophy criteria for blue catfish will be more reflective of the current status of blue catfish angling in the Commonwealth.

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