April 26, 2024

State-record bream

June 15, 2016 David Hawkins Crappie/Bream, Sidebars

Cale Lovett of Forest started his summer vacation early with a hefty bluegill caught from the family pond. Bream are the perfect fish to introduce new anglers to the thrills of the sport.

The MDWFP tracks state records for freshwater species, and currently lists these as the biggest for the most-popular bream species:

• Bluegill — 3.45 pounds

• Redear — 3.33 pounds

• Green Sunfish — 1.26 pounds

• Longear Sunfish — .25 pound

If you think you have a new record, handle the fish with care. Try to keep the fish alive, either in a live well or an aerated bucket, until the weight and catch can be verified by a fisheries representative.

Have the fish weighed on a certified scale in front of a witness and contact the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Parks (800-Be-Smart).