Teen Sets Pennsylvania Fishing Record for White Perch

A Pennsylvania teenager achieved a significant milestone by reeling in a state-record-breaking white perch while fishing with his dad.

Christopher Barrett, 19, from Mohnton, caught a white perch weighing two pounds and one ounce in April, surpassing the previous state record by five ounces. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced the record-breaking catch on June 7.

Barrett and his father were fishing near the Commodore Barry Bridge on the Delaware River. Using heavy-duty spinning rods with fish finder rigs and circle hooks baited with bloodworms, they initially aimed to catch striped bass and catfish but ended up catching several white perch.

The record-setting perch measured 14.125 inches in length with a girth of 12.25 inches. Both anglers immediately recognized the fish's unusual size. After weighing the fish on their own scale, they confirmed it was heavier than the state record, initially registering at two pounds and three ounces.

Although the official weight was slightly lower, the fish still broke the previous record set in 2008. Barrett noted that the perch was full of eggs, contributing to its hefty weight. He expressed pride in his and his father's fishing skills, attributing their success to a mix of skill, luck, and good timing.

Barrett plans to have the fish mounted by a taxidermist to commemorate the catch. Reflecting on the experience, he emphasized the joy of sharing the moment with his father, stating that fishing together is their favorite activity and one they will always cherish.