Fish of the Year
FOTY Anglers Submit 73 Species in 2024
With 161 entries submitted in 2024, Indiana’s anglers continue to vie for annual Fish of the Year records.
The longest fish of 2024 was a 46-inch flathead catfish caught by Richard Morford in Eastside Park in Washington County. The smallest FOTY winning entry was a 2.2-inch fantail darter caught by Steven Kellett of Greene County in the Muscatatuck River in Jennings County. Anglers collectively submitted entries for 73 different fish species. Smallmouth bass was the species that received the most entries from anglers in 2024, with seven. Notable species that received no entries in 2024 were black crappie, blue catfish, log perch and muskellunge.
The Ohio River and Lake Michigan had more winning entries than any other bodies of water in 2024. Kellett bagged the most 2024 FOTY records, with 14 winning entries. He was followed by Joe Johnson with 11 and Tom Berg with nine. Congratulations to all the winning anglers. View the complete list of Fish of the Year winners.
Anglers who plan to submit entries this year must remember that to be eligible, they are required to submit a quality photo showing the full length of their catch while on a measuring board or tape. If you think you’ve caught a winner, there are two easy ways to enter: online or via email.
- For online submissions, complete the required information using the online entry form for record fish.
- For email entries, submit an electronic version of the entry form and attach a quality photo of the fish and a copy of your fishing license (if you are required to have one).
Entries must be submitted online or emailed by Dec. 15 of the calendar year the fish was caught. Entries received after deadline will be eligible for the next year. Winners are notified by mail and receive an award certificate and a commemorative patch.
