JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Brent Newton of Holts Summit became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a record goldeye on the Osage River using a rod and reel.
Goldeyes are a part of the mooneye family. They are silvery, flat-sided fishes with unusually large eyes and prominent teeth on the jaws, roof of the mouth, and tongue. Anglers often mistake the goldeye for the skipjack herring while fishing for bait.
“I thought I caught a state-record skipjack herring once I pulled the fish in the boat,” said Newton. “I didn’t realize I had a different type of species of fish until I talked with the Missouri Department of Conservation.”
Newton’s recent record broke the previous pole-and-line state-record goldeye of 1 pound, 12 ounces caught at the Lake of the Ozarks in 2012.
MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in Jefferson City. Newton is still in disbelief about catching a state-record fish.
“I would have never dreamed that there would be a state record with my name on it,” said Newton. “I’m super excited about it!”
The angler still plans on using the goldeye for bait while catfishing.
Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.
Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.