How many of you have ever went to an area off the beaten path to crappie fish and pondered the Idea "what would I do if I caught a state/world record Crappie " out of this pond? What would be the LEGAL procedure?The thought hit me while I was fishing a gravel pit that I frequently fish that has some very nice BLK&WHT crappie in it. Someone educate me.

get her to a certified scale as fast as you can

C P W R Catch, photograph, weigh, and release for next lucky angler

I use to fish a place that looked like a mud puddle of the side of the road. I never caught a limit but it was always good for 5-6 crappies. People would drive by and ask if I caught anything and I would always answer no. The place was basically a illegal dumping spot and I would catch crappie next to a trashed lazy boy or grocery cart. I always wondered what would I do if I caught a state record their because it was a real honey hole.

Get'n off that beaten path can produce quality fish .... If you did catch and get on the books and report The Spot accurately it would be ruined as there would be cleared trails from so much traffic....
If that wouldn't be a concern I'd get it to a certified scale and there's a form on TPWD's website on registering a record fish.....
Good Luck!

The catch has to be registered on a certified scale. TPWD has a list of places that participate. There's also some very specific procedures that go along with it like photographs, a witness, specific measurements and the form has to be notarized. You can download the form from the TPWD website. Good luck!

I wonder if calling the a game Warden to come out would help, or work for that.

And I was wondering about the witness. If your by yourself, make a whole in one on the golf course, and nobody sees it. . . Your name’s not going in the Dallas Morning News the next day. Gotta have witnesses.

Plus #1. Information is posted on their Web Site.


Side Note: IGFA which handle the world records rules are different. Both state and IGFA require certified scales for weighing.

Hey Fishbonz,

Looks like you're getting some solid advice already but here is the direct link to the TPWD Record Page: https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/programs/fishrecords/rules/

I have been looking into this for a while now and can provide some comments.

• If you're looking for a length record, it must meet the minimum lengths for Big Fish, which are spelled out here
• For weight records, you must use a calibrated scale and a witness. A tip here is to find the list of TPWD approved weigh stations and the person weighing the fish can be your witness.

Obviously all of this hinges on the honor system, but it is still worth the time to chase some records!

My goal has been to get my kids a junior angler record on a body of water. Many do not have a single fish documented or have a black crappie record but not a white crappie one, etc. Doubt i'll be able to set my a record in the adult league.

Also, the catch and release records are a great option if you are not close to a certified scale.

There’s a form on TPWD to have the certified scale person fill out along with pics of the scale and fish and measurement pics fo email to TPWD and then it takes 6 weeks to 6 months for them to review and certify. Mine took a couple months. Langdon’s took a lot longer. I had him a milk run picked out years ago I thought he could get 4-5 in one day but forget that! I haven’t heard the end of the first one! No use putting him on 4-5 in one day!