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A Lancaster man, Scott Failor, set a new Delaware state record by catching the heaviest flathead catfish in the Delaware River on Monday (June 1). The fish weighed 36.2 pounds, measured 41 inches in length, and had a girth of 24.75 inches. Failor, who humorously admits he hates eating fish, achieved this remarkable feat while fishing in Augustine, Delaware.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) confirmed the record. This catch surpasses the previous record set by Jason Wise of Bear, who caught a 33-pound, 15.68-ounce flathead catfish from Lums Pond on May 21, 2025. Wise's fish measured 40.25 inches and was certified at Captain Bones Bait and Tackle in Odessa, as reported by CatfishNow.
Flathead catfish are not native to Delaware waters, first confirmed in Brandywine Creek in 2010. They have since spread to Lums Pond and the C&D Canal. Unlike other catfish, flatheads are strict predators, feeding primarily on live fish and crustaceans. DNREC encourages anglers to kill invasive fish like flatheads rather than release them due to their impact on native species.
Failor's achievement highlights the growing popularity of fishing in the region, with more anglers targeting flathead catfish. The DNREC continues to monitor and manage the population of these fish to balance ecological impacts.