From DNR reports
The state fishing record for black buffalo was beaten by a fish caught by Joshua Teunis of Grand Haven in Bear Lake in Muskegon County on Sunday, June 15, at 1:45 a.m. Teunis was bowfishing. The fish weighed 41.25 pounds and measured 38.25 inches.
Luke Walker (left), Joshua Teunis with his state-record Black Buffalo, and Bill Kimball.
The record was verified by Rich O’Neal, a DNR fisheries biologist in Muskegon.
The previous state-record black buffalo was caught by Bryan Degoede of Kalamazoo on the Kalamazoo River in Allegan County on Sept. 5, 2012. That fish weighed 37.06 pounds and measured 39.25 inches.
State records are recognized by weight only. To qualify for a state record, fish must exceed the current listed state record weight and identification must be verified by a DNR fisheries biologist.
“We’ve had 12 of Michigan’s 56 state-record fish beaten in the past 10 years, which just goes to show you how outstanding the state’s fishing is right now,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter. “Start planning your next fishing trip to your favorite body of water – you just might catch the next state record!”
For more information on fishing in Michigan, visit michigan.gov/fishing.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to michigan.gov/dnr.
