New state record channel catfish caught in Allegheny River by Munhall angler

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has certified a new state record channel catfish caught in the Allegheny River.

Angler David Taylor Jr. of Munhall reeled in the record-setting catch, which weighed 36 pounds, 2 ounces.

The catch surpassed the previous Pennsylvania state record, set in 1991 in the Lehigh Canal in Northampton County, by 9 ounces.

Taylor, 44, caught the giant fish shortly after 8 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2026, while competing with his friend Alex Atkinson in the Tri-State Hawg Hunters fishing tournament. The pair were fishing from an 18-foot boat below the Highland Park Lock and Dam near Sixmile Island after launching from Pittsburgh’s Southside Public Boat Launch.

“I started reeling, and I could tell right away it was a pretty big fish,” Taylor said. “I was able to keep steady pressure on the line and keep reeling until the fish surfaced. My initial thought, based on the color of the fish in the water, was that it looked like a blue catfish. I thought that was going to be a pretty special catch since we really haven’t seen those big blues up here in Pennsylvania yet.”

In addition to its official weight, the fish measured 42 inches in length with a 26-inch girth. State officials verified the record before the fish was safely returned to the river.

“Honestly, I’ve always dreamed of catching a state record, but I thought it would be a flathead catfish because we catch so many big ones out here in Pittsburgh,” Taylor said. “So, to catch a channel catfish that size? That just doesn’t happen. It just goes to show, you never know what’s on the other side of that hook. It could be just another fish, or it could be life-changing. My advice to other anglers is to pay attention to your tackle and have confidence in your gear. Always make sure your line is strong and hooks are sharp for a moment like this.”

During the tournament weigh-in the following morning at the boat launch, another angler suggested the catch might be a record Channel Catfish. Taylor and Atkinson examined the fish’s anal fin to confirm the species, as Channel Catfish have fewer than 30 fin rays while Blue Catfish have 30 or more.“You can tell a Channel Catfish from a Blue Catfish by counting the rays on its anal fin, because Channel Catfish always have less than 30 rays while Blues have at least 30,” Taylor said. “We counted 26 rays, and at that point, we looked up the state record for a channel cat. We were pretty excited because we thought it was definitely heavier. Now, my biggest concern was keeping the fish alive while we could figure out what we needed to do.”To obtain an official weight, Taylor sought a certified scale. An initial weigh-in at Reddi Bait and Tackle in Bridgewater, Beaver County, registered 36 pounds, 2 ounces, but the scale could not produce a printed weight slip as required by state rules. Taylor then contacted Waterways Conservation Officer Abigail Luteri of the PFBC Southwest Region Bureau of Law Enforcement to arrange a second weigh-in.“I told Officer Luteri on the phone that the fish seemed to be doing just fine in the livewell, but we had a pretty good drive ahead of us to get to the bait shop, and we were going to keep checking on the fish,” Taylor said. “I told her that my biggest concern was the health of the fish, and if I felt I had to, I would pull over and release the fish, even if it cost me a chance at the state record. Fortunately, this was tough fish, and we made it to the scale without any issues.”At 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 4, Officer Luteri witnessed the official weigh-in at Goodman’s Bait and Tackle in Ford City, Armstrong County, where the scale again recorded 36 pounds, 2 ounces. Because that scale also lacked printout capabilities, Luteri submitted a written statement certifying she inspected the scale and witnessed the weigh-in. Following the inspection, Taylor requested that Luteri accompany him to a nearby access point on the Allegheny River, where the catfish was released alive back into the water. The PFBC Division of Fisheries Management subsequently reviewed and confirmed the record application.

“Everything worked out in the end, and it feels incredible,” Taylor said. “I want to thank my friend, Alex, the bait shops, and Officer Luteri for their help. Honestly, I’ve always dreamed of catching a state record, but I thought it would be a Flathead Catfish because we catch so many big ones out here in Pittsburgh. So, to catch a Channel Catfish that size? That just doesn’t happen. It just goes to show, you never know what’s on the other side of that hook. It could be just another fish, or it could be life changing. My advice to other anglers is to pay attention to your tackle and have confidence in your gear. Always make sure your line is strong and hooks are sharp for a moment like this.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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