Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Oklahoma Angler Sets New State Record with 118-Pound Bighead Carp Catch

Bryan Lee Baker breaks his own record at Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees, aiding efforts to manage the invasive species threatening native ecosystems.

Bryan Lee Baker caught a 118-pound bighead carp, breaking his own record.

Overview

  • Bryan Lee Baker snagged a 118-pound, 10-ounce bighead carp on April 26, 2025, surpassing his previous Oklahoma state record from 2023.
  • The catch was made at Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma, a hotspot for invasive bighead carp.
  • Bighead carp, native to eastern Asia, are an invasive species in the U.S., competing with native fish and mussels for plankton and disrupting ecosystems.
  • The fish was removed using sonar technology to locate it at a depth of 20 feet, a method Baker frequently employs.
  • While the catch is ineligible for IGFA world-record status due to snagging, it supports conservation efforts to control the spread of this destructive species.