Thirty years ago, Heinz Machacek found data from fishing record books to be incomplete, so he decided to start his own. The result is a website and searchable database called “The World Records Freshwater Fishing
.” It includes records of giant bizarre fish caught in far away places.
“The information exchange between scientists, commercial fishermen, and sport fishermen is poor,” he says. “Therefore, we engaged in updating a database concerning the maximum size of freshwater fish.”
According to Machacek, to compile more diverse records, they rely on an international network of anglers and scientists who contribute data on the weight, length, and age of freshwater fish, along with photographs. By taking submissions and publishing data from other record books too, World Records Freshwater Fishing has compiled information on 507 different species of freshwater fish, each weighing at least 5 kg, from all over the world.
The following catches are a few highlights from Machacek’s extensive database. They reflect not only rod-and-reel captures, but fish taken by other methods, which include nets, harpoons, hand lines, spear, and bows. Here are 11 photos of some of the largest fish ever caught in freshwater.
Largest Freshwater Fish: Catfish
1. Mekong Giant Catfish
A giant Mekong Catfish! It weighed 645.15 pounds. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 645 lbs, 15 oz
Scientific Name: Pangasianodon gigas
Catch Location: Mekong River system, Thailand
Catch Method: Other methods record
Facts: After a year of feeding on zooplankton, Mekong cats become herbivores. They are a threatened species.
Range: Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos
2. Salween Rita Catfish
The rod-and-reel record Salween Rita tipped the scales at 125 pounds. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 308.85 pounds
Scientific Name: Rita sacerdotum
Catch Location: Thailand
Catch Method: Other methods record
Facts: The Salween Rita is a rare species of catfish. Deeply gray in coloration, the Salween is scaleless with a broad body and head. It grows to prodigious sizes.
Range: Thailand
3. Irrawaddy Mystus
The Irrawaddy Mystus is a giant catfish that is a highly sought-after recreational fish. This fish is the rod-and-reel, 115-pound record. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 176.5 pounds
Scientific Name: Hemibagrus microphthalmus
Catch Location: Myanmar, India, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar
Catch Method: Other methods record
Facts: According to fishbase.org
, the Irrawaddy is generally caught amid tree roots and deep rocky structure during high water months. It feeds on shrimp and crabs.
Range: The Mainipur drainage in India; Irrawaddy, and Sittang drainages in Myanmar; and the Salween River in Thailand.
4. Jau
The 170-pound, rod-and-reel Jau record was caught by Martin Content in Bolivia. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 198.42 pounds
Scientific Name: Zungaro zungaro
Catch Location: Orinoco River system, Amazon River system
Catch Method: Other methods
Facts: A highly sought-after Amazon catfish, the Jau is generally caught in deep holes and fast current. They are renowned as being excellent fighters.
Range: Amazon Basin
Largest Freshwater Fish: Rays
5. Giant Freshwater Stingray
The known rod-and-reel world record freshwater stingray weight 661 pounds. It was caught in Thailand. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 1,322.77 pounds
Scientific Name: Urogymnus polyepis
Catch Location: Unknown
Catch Method: Rod and reel
Facts: Biologists believe that the freshwater stingray may be the largest freshwater fish on earth. It’s diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Range: Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos
6. Discus Ray
Certainly an odd-looking catch, this 116-pound Discus Ray measured nearly 4-feet in diameter. The “all-methods” record is nearly double that. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 250 pounds
Scientific Name: Paratrygon aiereba
Catch Location: Rio Apure, Venezuela
Catch Method: Other methods
Facts: The Discus Ray can reach diameters of more than 5 feet. It lives primarily in deep water, but moves into the shallows at night to feed.
Range: South America
Largest Freshwater Fish: Carp
7. Giant Siamese Carp
Weighing more than 270 pounds, this Giant Siamese Carp was caught in Thailand. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 440 pounds
Scientific Name: Catlocarpio simensis
Catch Location: Mae Klong River, Thailand
Catch Method: Other methods record
Facts: The Giant Siamese Carp is considered to be the ultimate of monster carp species. It is an extremely hard-fighting fish.
Range: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Southern Vietnam
Read Next: The 6 Best Western Trout Rivers to Fish During the Salmonfly Hatch
8. Common Carp
Though many might think that the common carp is a U.S. fish, it’s actually a 2,000-year old transplant. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 112.14 pounds
Scientific Name: Cyprinus carpio
Catch Location: Euro-Aqua Lake, Hungary
Catch Method: Rod and reel
Facts: Native to Europe and Asia, the original Common Carp dates back 2,000 years. According to Wikipedia, Common Carp have been introduced to most continents and 59 countries.
Range: U.S., Europe, Canada, Russia, and Ukraine
Largest Freshwater Fish: Other Fish
9. Humpback Mahseer
The rod-and-reel, 130-pound record Mussullah Mahseer was caught in the Cauvery River in India. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 205.03 pounds
Scientific Name: Hypselobarbus mussullah
Catch Location: India
Catch Method: Other methods
Facts: The critically endangered Mahseer is nicknamed “The Tiger of Kaveri” due to its fighting ability. It is believed to have divine protection. There are at least seven Mahseer species in Indian rivers.
Range: India
10. Murray Cod
A vintage 1911 photo of a 105-pound Murray Cod from Australia. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 250.45 pounds
Scientific Name: Maccullochella peelli
Catch Location: Barwon River, Australia
Catch Method: Other methods
Facts: The Murray Cod is Australia’s largest freshwater predatory fish . It inhabits the Murray-Darling basin in southeastern Australia. It is considered to be an apex predator.
Range: Southeastern Australia
**Read Next: 10 of the Nastiest and Hardest Fish to Catch on the Planet
**
11. Taiman
The Taiman is actually a giant trout and a member of the salmon family. Heinz Machacek
Record Weight: 231.8 pounds
Scientific Name: Hucho taiman
Catch Location: Kotuy River, Russia
Catch Method: Other methods
Facts: The Siberian giant trout is a member of the salmon family and highly sought by recreational anglers.
Range: Russia and Mongolia
