Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn Promotes Fishing in Illinois After World Record Catfish Catch

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - L t. Gov. Pat Quinn displayed a lifesize photo of the world's largest blue catfish in the Capitol Press Room and discussed fishing hotspots with Tim Pruitt of Fosterburg who landed the fish on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River near Alton on May 21^st. The 124-pound-fish fought for 40 minutes and dragged Pruitt's boat containing Pruitt, his wife and a friend for three miles downstream.

 

"Illinois has an exciting sport fish that is comparable to some of the well-known saltwater game fish, like tarpon, permit and marlin," said Quinn, chairman of the Illinois River Coordinating Council. "Tim Pruitt has placed Illinois and blue catfish on the map for 100 pound plus fish that can bust tackle and make heart-pounding 200 yard runs."

 

An avid fisherman, Pruitt normally catches and releases fish. He made special efforts to keep the record catfish alive in a holding tank until its weight could be certified. The fish was to be displayed in a store aquarium before being returned to the Mississippi River, yet it perished. Pruitt's appreciation for the species has him volunteering to further scientific understanding of its genetics. Practicing catch-and-release, Pruitt will work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, collecting genetic samples before returning the fish to the river.

 

Pruitt will announce the release of a DVD about the world record catch, prime catfish locations and catfishing tips from his website: www.timpruitt.net. Depending on sales volume, some of the proceeds from Pruitt's DVD will to go the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division, to further scientific understanding of the blue catfish.

 

Pruitt's catch broke the 2004 world record of 121 pounds, eight ounces. It beat the 2000 Illinois record of 85 pounds. The world's largest blue catfish was 58 inches long and 44 inches in girth. The fish is estimated to be 30 years old, predating the Clean Water Act.

 

"Sport fishing in Illinois is an important form of nature-based tourism," said Quinn. "Illinois sells fishing licenses to more than 1.2 million anglers who spend more than 16 million days fishing in our state, and many of those individuals come from the world over to enjoy our great outdoors."

 

The Illinois River Coordinating Council is a diverse group of citizens, grassroots and not-for-profit organizations, federal and state agencies, sportsmen and river enthusiasts who coordinate conservation, restoration and economic policies within the Illinois River watershed. For more information, visit: www.CleanWater.il.gov