Add this one to the record books, literally.
Jeff Van Remortel, a fishing guide from Hazelhurst, Wisconsin, caught and released a 56-inch-long musky in June. The fish set a record in Wisconsin, according to the Department of Natural Resources, beating the previous stat by 2.5 inches.
The DNR maintains records of the largest fish caught in Wisconsin across three categories: Live release (length only), hook and line (length and weight), and alternate methods like spear and cross bow (length and weight).
To verify a new record, anglers must fill out an application with a photo and information about their catch. It's a serious process — they swear under oath the data is true and have a notary public sign it.
As of September 2025, here are the top five largest fish by length under each category, according to the DNR.
Live release record fish in Wisconsin
- Lake Sturgeon, 77.5 inches. Caught Oct. 15, 2022, on the St. Croix River in St. Croix County.
- Muskellunge, 56 inches. Caught June 4, 2025, on Green Bay in Door County.
- Flathead Catfish, 51.5 inches. Caught June 22, 2021, on the St. Croix River in Polk County.
- Northern Pike, 46.25 inches. Caught Sept. 7, 2018, on Green Bay in Oconto County.
- Chinook Salmon, 42 inches. Caught Oct. 3, 2020, on Sheboygan River in Sheboygan County.
Hook and line record fish in Wisconsin
- Lake Sturgeon, 79 inches and 170 lbs., 10 oz. Caught Sept. 22, 1979, on Yellow Lake in Burnett County.
- Muskellunge, 63.5 inches and 69 lbs., 11 oz. Caught Oct. 20, 1949, on Chippewa Flowage in Sawyer County.
- Tiger Muskellunge, 54 inches and 51 lbs., 3 oz. Caught July 16, 1919, on Lac Vieux Desert in Vilas County.
- Flathead Catfish, 53 inches and 74 lbs., 5.1 oz. Caught March 30, 2001, on Mississippi River in Vernon County.
- Longnose Gar, 52.5 inches and 21 lbs., 4 oz. Caught June 15, 1990, on Wisconsin River in Richland County.
Alternate method record fish in Wisconsin
- Lake Sturgeon, 84.25 inches and 212 lbs., 3.2 oz. Caught Feb. 13, 2010, on Lake Winnebago in Calumet County.
- Longnose Gar, 54.5 inches and 22 lbs., 12.8 oz. Caught Aug. 4, 2018, on Mississippi River in Vernon County.
- Bigmouth Buffalo, 50.5 inches and 94 lbs., 3.2 oz. Caught Feb. 2, 2020, on Petenwell Flowage in Adams County.
- Grass Carp, 50 inches, 58 lbs. and 5.8 oz. Caught Aug. 18, 2022, on Mississippi River in Grant County.
- Flathead Catfish, 48.75 inches and 53 lbs., 8 oz. Caught Oct. 8, 2022, on Mississippi River in La Crosse County.
Paul Smith of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this story.
