• Fishmasters
  • Posts
  • Kansas Finally Has a New Record Fish After 52 Years

Kansas Finally Has a New Record Fish After 52 Years

🎣

Author

Brian Nagele
June 03, 2026

The Hopper Dropper Method: Why This Rig Outfishes Almost Everything Else

If I had to pick one fly fishing setup to fish for the rest of my life, the hopper dropper would be near the top of the list. I have stood in Pennsylvania streams catching twenty plus trout while anglers around me throwing bait, spinners, and dry flies only managed one or two. That is not an exaggeration, and it is not luck. It happens because this rig solves the single biggest problem in fly fishing: trout eat most of their food under the surface, and the hopper dropper lets you fish both worlds at once. This guide covers everything

Fishmasters.com

Record-breaking catches, rare trophy fish, and long-standing records finally falling made for a memorable stretch on the water. From Minnesota’s giant lake trout to a tiger muskie that stunned two young anglers and a Kansas gar that ended a 52-year drought, these catches are making headlines across the fishing world:

One Lake Superior Guide Helped Catch Four Record Trout. Over the past two years, Lake Superior guide Ethan Waytashek has helped clients set Minnesota’s catch-and-release lake trout record four times. The latest came on May 9, when Joseph Bouta landed a 45.5-inch laker, now certified as the state record. Previous records were caught by Kelsey Vanderheyden (42.5 inches), Isaiah Bartlett (43.25 inches), and Matthew Hammer (44 inches), all while fishing with Waytashek. His guide service targets giant lake trout using vertical jigging, and all record fish were released after measurement and documentation. Read More

Two Kids Landed a Fish Most Anglers Only Dream About. Memorial Day turned unforgettable for Hensley Johnson, 12, and Axel Tilton, 11, when they reeled in a 42-inch, 17-pound tiger muskie from Fishing Lake in Dalbey Memorial Park. After four hours of fishing, the pair battled the fish for 10 minutes, snapping three lines before landing it. The rare catch, nicknamed the “fish of a thousand casts,” drew attention from onlookers and marked the biggest fish either boy had ever caught. Read More

Kansas Finally Has a New Record Fish After 52 Years. Kansas man Michael Barnett of Baxter Springs set a new state record after landing a 33.6-pound, 63-inch longnose gar while bowfishing the Spring River on April 18, 2026, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Barnett said he knew the fish was unusually large when it surfaced and had his son place a second arrow to help secure it. The catch surpassed the previous Kansas record, a 31.5-pound longnose gar caught by Ray Schroeder in 1974. Fisheries biologist Connor Ossowski called it an impressive fish and noted the record had stood for more than 50 years. Read More

More from Fishmasters:

Fishmasters

Nathan's first peacock bass in Brazil is one he'll be talking about for years 🎣

www.facebook.com/share/p/1BdLAtXzGH

20K views · 1.9K reactions | Having more years behind you than ahead of you makes you look at life differently. | Fishmasters

Having more years behind you than ahead of you makes you look at life differently.

www.facebook.com/share/v/1D3kjUmJwP

The Top 30 Fishing Lakes in Wyoming Ranked

If you’re looking for great fishing spots in Wyoming, you’re in the right place. I’ve done plenty of fishing myself, but I knew I couldn’t build this list alone. So, I reached out to local anglers, friends, and fishing fans across the state. On top of that, we polled our social media followers to get their thoughts on their favorite lakes. This list of the top 30 fishing lakes in Wyoming brings together all those voices and experiences. Whether you’re after trout, bass, walleye, or just looking for a good day on the water, these lakes offer something for every

Fishmasters.com