Fishing Buddies Break West Virginia Black Crappie Records Within Hours
Two fishing buddies in West Virginia set new state records for black crappie within hours of each other, showcasing the exceptional fishing opportunities at Woodrum Lake.
On August 8, Lindell Marker caught a black crappie measuring 17.36 inches at 7:30 a.m., surpassing the previous length record of 17.32 inches. His catch tied the existing weight record of 2.85 pounds.
Just over an hour later, at 8:45 a.m., Dwight Priestley reeled in a black crappie that broke both the length and weight records set by his friend. Both anglers used live minnows as bait.
The fishing season achievement caught the attention of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, who congratulated the anglers on social media. "I'm thrilled to celebrate this unprecedented fishing achievement and hope these new benchmarks inspire anglers from all over to come and explore West Virginia's world-class fishing opportunities," he wrote.
Brett McMillion, director of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR), praised the catches, saying, "These new records are a testament to the incredible fishing opportunities at Woodrum Lake. We are thrilled to celebrate these outstanding achievements by Lindell Marker and Dwight Priestley."
The WVDNR has reported eight new record-breaking catches in 2024, highlighting the state's thriving fisheries. As anglers continue to explore West Virginia's waters, more records may fall in the future.
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