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
Record Weight: 645 pounds, 15 ounces
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
Record Weight: 125 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
Record Weight: 115 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
Record Weight: 170 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
Record Weight: 661 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
Record Weight: 116 pounds, 14 ounces
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
Record Weight: 273 pounds, 6 ounces
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
8. Common Carp
Record Weight: 112 pounds, 14 ounces
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
Record Weight: 130 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
Record Weight: 105 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 Biggest World Record Catfish of All Time
11. Taimen
Record Weight: 231 pounds, 8 ounces
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
