The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced today that the state’s black crappie weight record has been broken by a Lincoln County angler.
The record was broken on May 7 by Jerry Porter of Harts, W.Va., who caught a 3.6-pound, 17.7-inch black crappie at East Lynn Lake in Wayne County. Porter used a minnow-tipped jig on a 6-pound test line. WVDNR assistant district fisheries biologist Jake Whalen confirmed Porter’s record-setting catch.
The previous state record was a 3.15-pound, 17.76-inch crappie caught in 2024 by Dwight Priestley of Alum Creek at Woodrum Lake in Jackson County. Priestley’s record for length still stands.
WVDNR established state record categories for five new species in 2024, including the black crappie. Porter’s catch marks the fourth time a record has been set for the species. This is the third confirmed state record catch reported by the WVDNR so far in 2025. Other record-breaking catches include a 24.57-inch, 5.75-pound redhorse sucker and 12.44-inch, 1.60-pound redear sunfish, both reported in April.
To learn more about state fish record categories, check page 28 in the West Virginia Fishing Regulations Summary, available to download at WVdnr.gov/fishing-regulations. Information pertaining to the Trophy Fish Citation and Master Angler programs can be found on page 32.
All anglers 15 and older must have a West Virginia fishing license, which can be purchased online at WVfish.com. Anglers are reminded that a trout stamp is required when fishing for trout. They are also encouraged to upgrade their fishing experience by opting for a physical license card when they purchase their 2025 fishing license.
