Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources recently announced that the Virginia state record for archery blue catfish has been broken.
Jason Emmel from Louisa arrowed a 66-pound, 5-ounce blue catfish from the Pamunkey River for the new state record.
The fish measured 3 feet, 6 inches and had a girth of 35 inches. After biologist verification and review by the State Record Committee, Emmel’s catch was certified and is recognized as the current Virginia Archery State Record Blue Catfish.
The previous record was held by William Bates, Jr. with a 62-pound, 4-ounce blue catfish captured in 2021 from Occoquan Bay in Fairfax.
In Virginia, bowfishing is one of several forms of alternative fishing methods that are increasing in popularity.
