A Kanawha County angler has set a new record for tiger trout in West Virginia, landing a fish that now stands as the state’s longest.
According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), John Terry, of Gallagher, caught a 29.13-inch, 11.04-pound tiger trout on March 19 from Seneca Lake in Pocahontas County. The fish surpasses the previous state length record of 28.7 inches, set in 2011 by Mike Connelly at Krodel Lake.
“We are excited to recognize Mr. Terry for setting a new state record for tiger trout,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “His accomplishment showcases the outstanding fishing experiences West Virginia has to offer and reflects the passion anglers bring to the waters throughout the state.”
The catch came on a relatively light-tackle setup. According to the agency, Terry was fishing with a Panther Martin spinner paired with 4-pound-test line when he connected with the fish. I’m sure Terry had his work cut off for him landing that bruiser of a trout on such light line.
Tiger trout are a sterile hybrid created by crossing a female brown trout with a male brook trout, a pairing that rarely occurs in the wild but is commonly produced in hatcheries. The result is a fast-growing, aggressive predator that exhibits characteristics of both parent species, along with a striking vermiculated pattern that gives the fish its “tiger” name. Because tiger trout are functionally sterile, they do not reproduce, which allows fisheries managers to stock them without the risk of establishing self-sustaining populations that could compete with native trout.
From a behavioral standpoint, tiger trout are known for their willingness to chase and consume larger prey than similarly sized trout, often keying on baitfish, crayfish, and even smaller trout. This predatory tendency makes them an effective management tool in waters where biologists want to control overabundant forage or panfish populations. They also tend to grow quickly when forage is abundant, sometimes outpacing both brown and brook trout in the same system.
For anglers, that translates to a fish that is not only visually distinctive but also highly aggressive and well-suited to a wide range of presentations, from spinners and crankbaits to streamers and swimbaits. While they are stocked in many states as a management tool, fish approaching or exceeding the 29-inch mark remain rare, particularly in Appalachian waters.
Reports from multiple outlets confirmed the fish measured “more than 29 inches” and weighed “just over 11 pounds,” with the official WVDNR measurement recorded at 29.13 inches and 11.04 pounds. The distinction matters in a category where length, rather than weight, determines the state record.
West Virginia Tiger Trout Weight Record
The weight record for tiger trout in West Virginia was set last year during a rainy trip on Mannington Lake in Marion County. Robert Riggs and his son were fishing together when they landed a tiger trout that now stands as West Virginia’s state record for weight. Fishing from a small jon boat on March 28, the pair were trolling in overcast conditions when one rod doubled over.
“It didn’t take long to realize I may have had more fish on the other end of the line than we were prepared to handle,” Riggs said, noting the fish was so large his son had to scoop it into the net by hand.
The fish measured 27.60 inches (missing the previous length record by about an inch) and weighed 12.55 pounds, surpassing the previous state weight record. Riggs caught it on a casting spoon with 6-pound-test line, adding to the challenge of landing such a large trout.
The record came during the state’s West Virginia Gold Rush, a spring stocking event that draws anglers to waters across the state. If West Virginia continues such stocking efforts, we might just see more record tigers from the Mountain State.
For anglers interested in pursuing similar recognition, WVDNR notes that record fish must meet specific criteria outlined in the state’s fishing regulations. In addition to record programs, West Virginia also offers Trophy Fish Citation and Master Angler programs to recognize notable catches.
