Pennsylvania's Biggest Fish of 2002

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Angler Award Program Summary - Top Fish Submitted for each Category

You MUST submit an application to the Commission's Angler Award Program (click for rules and application - PDF file PDF Icon - click for help with PDF files) to be considered for this listing.

Other Big Fish
PA State Records -- Biggest (most recent year) -- Biggest of 2003 -- Biggest of 2001

Bass, Largemouth
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Jack A. Baer Jr Waynesboro, Pa Waynesboro Reservoir 8/30 No Flake 9 lb. 8 oz. 25 18
Gregory Cathcart Franklin, Pa Allegheny River 10/26 Creek Chub 9 lb. 8 oz. 24.25 -
John McNab Youngstown, Oh Bessemmer Quarry 6/23 Rubber Worm 8 lb. 4 oz. 24 18.25
Joshua Winebrinner Shiremanstown, Pa Conewago Lake 2/20 - 8 lb. 22.25 18
Garrett Kramer Newtown, Pa Nockamixon Lake 8/9 Tube 7 lb. 9 oz. 22.5 17.6

 

Bass, Rock
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
James S. Kugler Saint Marys, Pa S Branch Of Kinzua Creek 8/24 Night Crawler 1 lb. 11 oz. 15.38 9.5
Tom Sulz Erie, Pa Lake Erie 8/4 Hopkins Spoon 1 lb. 8 oz. 11 9
Don Lindermuth Elizabethtown, Pa Susquehanna River 7/12 Craw/Ddd Lure 1 lb. 11 9
Colby Sample Waterville, Pa Pine Creek 8/4 Jitterbug 1 lb. 10.75 -
Bob Shaffer Johnstown, Pa Lake Erie 5/28 Jig-Grub 1 lb. 10.5 9

 

Bass, Smallmouth
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Stephen Kuhn Lake City, Pa Lake Erie 6/20 Killer Bee 7 lb. 24 16
George Emrey Newark, De Lake Erie 6/3 Golden Shiner 7 lb. 21.5 17
Richard Murphy Conneautville, Pa Woodcock Dam Lake 10/21 Spinner Bait 6 lb. 3 oz. 23 15.25
Rick McGonigal Morrisdale, Pa Bush Dam 7/5 C C Lizard 6 lb. 2 oz. 23.5 15
Victor Scaprion Mars, Pa Lake Erie 8/16 Northern King 5 lb. 10 oz. 21.5 -

 

Bass, Striped Lake
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
David E. Smigas Munhall, Pa Raystown Lake 6/20 Trout 44 lb. 8 oz. 51 29
William A. Reiss Easton, Pa Lake Wallenpaupack 9/23 Alewife 21 lb. 7 oz. 36 20
Chris Nothstein Lehighton, Pa Beltzville Lake 6/23 Minnow 15 lb. 2 oz. 38 18.5
Karen Williams Lehighton, Pa Beltzville Lake 6/4 Boy Howdi 12 lb. 4 oz. 33 16.5
Don Rombach Cranberry Twp, Pa Beaver River 5/25 Orig Rapala 12 lb. 30 -

 

Bass, Striped Marine
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
John Hartzell Mount Bethel, Pa Delaware River 9/3 Live Eel 31 lb. 4 oz. 42 29

 

Bass, White
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Robert Hornstrom
STATE RECORD		 Meadville, Pa Conneaut Lake 11/8 Spoon 3 lb. 15.7 oz. 19 15.5
Sean Thorpe Du Bois, Pa Lake Erie 8/28 Norther King 1 lb. 10 oz. 12 11

 

Bluegill
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Michael Kornoski Harveys Lake, Pa Harveys Lake 7/27 Amer Cheese 1 lb. 14 oz. 13 13.75
James J. Hancharick Nazareth, Pa Pecks Pond 10/5 Nightcrawler 1 lb. 4 oz. 11 11.25
Paul E. Miller Bethlehem, Pa Peck's Pond 6/1 Fly Rod Popper 1 lb. 3 oz. 11 11
Barbara Beitleor E Stroudsburg, Pa Promised Land Lake 7/6 Med 1 lb. 2 oz. 12 13
Matthew Johnson Moscow, Pa Lake Ariel 7/20 Leach 1 lb. 1 oz. 10.88 5

 

Carp
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
William Korp McKeesport, Pa Monongahela River 6/29 Dough Ball 39 lb. 3 oz. 36.75 34.5
Santo Todora Nazareth, Pa Delaware 6/18 Mike N.C. 27 lb. 36 19
Arthur H. Mccloud Erie, Pa Lake Erie Bay 7/28 Plug 26 lb. 8 oz. 29 21
Yakov Waldman Brooklyn, NY Upper Delaware River 8/22 Corn Meal 22 lb. 36 -
Dusty Shay Meadville, Pa French Creek 6/20 Bread 21 lb. 8 oz. 36 25.25

 

Catfish, Bullhead
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Kyle Wall Benezett, Pa Sinnauahoning Creek 6/29 Minnow 2 lb. 1 oz. 15 9
John J. Ryn Kiewicz Nanticoke, Pa Sylvan Lake 9/14 Leech 2 lb. 15.75 10.5
Jamie Boyer Pottstown, Pa Codorus Creek 5/28 Nightcrawler 1 lb. 12 oz. 15.5 8.75
Gregory T. Schmidt Philadelphia, Pa Penny Pack Creek 5/7 Nightcrawler Catch & Release 12 -
Colby La Ellsworth Vale, Md High Point Lake 8/17 Grub Catch & Release 11 -

 

Catfish, Channel
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Chris Blackburn Mocanaqua, Pa Susquehanna River 9/29 Cut Bait 26 lb. 36 -
John E. Hoffman Canonsburg, Pa Cross Creek Lake 8/30 Nightcrawler 25 lb. 34 21.5
Kevin W. Black Kelayres, Pa Susquehanna River 9/25 Shiner 22 lb. 4 oz. 40.5 27.75
Ray Denny Fenelton, Pa Lake Arthur 7/5 Minnow 21 lb. 8 oz. 34.5 24
Daniel Graver Parryville, Pa Lehigh River 6/23 Shiner 19 lb. 7 oz. 33.5 21

 

Catfish, Flathead
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Shawn Borsos Burgettstown, Pa Ohio River 10/26 Shad 31 lb. 2 oz. 39 26
Brandon Pastierik Springdale, Pa Allegheny River 6/27 Minnows 30 lb. 2 oz. 40 24
Craig Carson Monongahela, Pa Monongahela River 7/23 9" Sucker 30 lb. 38 24
Ronald A. Mangol Sr. Natrona Hts, Pa Allegheny River 6/3 Fathead 27 lb. 40.5 26.75
Scott A. Ruscitti Mather, Pa Monongahela River 8/11 Live Bait 26 lb. 38.5 24

 

Crappie
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Wayne Lavis Bloomsburg, Pa Lake Chillisquaque 1/8 Shiner 3 lb. 8 oz. 18.75 14.75
Mel Buser Jr Harrisburg, Pa Pinchot Park 6/7 Minnow 3 lb. 2 oz. 17.5 16
Jeffrey A. Fusco Sharpsville, Pa Shenango Lake 6/10 Minnow 3 lb. 7.5 -
James R. Berry Jr Telford, Pa Nockomixon Lake 10/19 Alewife 2 lb. 8 oz. 18 13.75
Jerry W. Blevins North East, Md Octorata Resevoir 8/31 Minnow 2 lb. 8 oz. 16 13.13

 

Drum, Freshwater
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Scott A. Ruscitti Mather, Pa Monongahela River 7/20 Nightcrawler 8 lb. 8 oz. 27 -
Saleem Muhamman Erie, Pa Lake Erie - South Peir 8/22 Nightcrawler 7 lb. 10 oz. 22 17
Michael Dimattio Erie, Pa Lake Erie 8/9 Willow Leaf 5 lb. 12 oz. 24 15
Nicholas Liberty Tionesta, Pa Lake Erie 8/21 Norther King 5 lb. 11 oz. 22.5 15
Mark Conti North East, Pa Lake Erie 8/22 Minnow 5 lb. 8 oz. 22 15

 

Muskellunge
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Dave Bradley Warren, Pa Kinzua Dam 6/28 Grandma Lure 43 lb. 4 oz. 53 24.5
Garry D. Minium Mt Pleasant Mills, Pa Susquehanna River W Br 3/1 Rebel 40 lb. 10 oz. 49 26
Ed Gevaudan Harrison City, Pa Sandy Lake 10/17 Musky Landy 40 lb. 50 -
Michael J. Hansel Philipsburg, Pa Glendale Lake 7/6 Cisco Kid 38 lb. 52 24.5
Red Childress Warren, Pa Allegheny River 8/23 Org/Smk Tail 34 lb. 13 oz. 47 -

 

Perch, White
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Robin D. Colinet East Millsboro, Pa High Point Lake 9/28 Minnow 1 lb. 15 oz. 12.5 9.75
Ed Maholtz Acme, Pa Lake Erie 8/12 Minnow 1 lb. 9 oz. 15.5 11
Greg Lasko Erie, Pa Presque Isle Bay 4/8 Minnow 1 lb. 9 oz. 13.5 11
Dennis Malinski Butler, Pa Lake Erie 7/20 Emerald Shiner 1 lb. 5 oz. 13.5 10.5
Zachary A. Smith Woodbridge, Va Lake Erie 6/27 Shiners 1 lb. 0.25 oz. 12.5 10.25

 

Perch, Yellow
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Anthony White Philadelphia, Pa Schuyikill River 11/15 Rooster Tail 2 lb. 1 oz. 16 10.5
Beverly E. Cechman Pitcairn, Pa Lake Erie Presque Isle 7/14 Shiner 1 lb. 13 oz. 16 13.5
David Colinet East Millsboro, Pa High Point Lake 6/19 Cray Fish 1 lb. 13 oz. 13.25 8.5
Mary E. Dufford Karns City, Pa Lake Erie 9/29 Golden Shiner 1 lb. 12 oz. 13 10
Gary Allen Lake City, Pa Lake Erie 6/20 Minnow 1 lb. 11 oz. 14.5 12

 

Pickerel, Chain
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Dave Wilson
STATE RECORD		 Honesdale Long Pond Lake 1/17 Minnow 8 lb. 14.8 oz. 30 -
John M. Betchker North Wales, Pa Nockamixon Lake 1/17 Minnow 7 lb. 28.25 -
Gattett E. Kramer Newtown, Pa Lake Nockamixon 8/9 Buzz Bait 5 lb. 14 oz. 22 13
Joseph W. Steacher Whitehall, Pa Lake Nockamixon 3/3 Rebel 5 lb. 12 oz. 26 14
Albert E. Dlugos Nazareth, Pa Minsi Lake 2/22 Minnow 5 lb. 9 oz. 27.25 14
Jim Berry Telford, Pa Nockamixon Lake 11/15 Shiner 5 lb. 8 oz. 26.75 12.25

 

Pike, Northern
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Randy Haight Sr Kane, Pa Kinzu Dam 7/14 Trout Lure 17 lb. 2 oz. 38.75 18
Tom Horwat Cranbery Twp, Pa Kinzua Dam 10/5 Spinbait 16 lb. 8 oz. 41 18
Keith Morgan Butler, Pa Muddy Creek 7/18 Live Bait 13 lb. 6 oz. 39.25 15
Robert Sarnese Prospect, Pa Lake Arthur 1/11 Shiner 12 lb. 4 oz. 35.5 17.25
Erika Thullen Garrettsville, Oh French Creek 2/17 Minnow 11 lb. 6 oz. 35.5 13.75

 

Salmon, Chinook
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Tom Claughey Cuddy, Pa Lake Erie 9/1 Worm Harness 20 lb. 5.5 oz. 35.5 22
Gary L. Saylor Bruin, Pa Walnut Creek 9/13 Ko Wobbler 8 lb. 2 oz. 27.75 16.25

 

Salmon, Coho
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Greg Kazimer Pittsburgh, Pa Lake Erie 10/9 Blake More 11 lb. 10 oz. 32 18.5
Andrew M. Apjol Indiana, Pa Elk Creek 11/14 Power Bait 10 lb. 8 oz. 30 17.5
William Dibler Apollo, Pa Walnut Creek 10/18 Red Yarn 10 lb. 8 oz. 30 17.5
Fazle Buljubasic Erie, Pa Walnut Creek 10/30 Power Bait 10 lb. 5 oz. 31.25 17
Christopher Lucas Du Bois, Pa Lake Erie 11/8 Reef Runner 9 lb. 12 oz. 31 17

 

Salmon, Pink
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Jamie C. Knotts Flemington, WV 20 Mile Creek 9/28 Salmon Egg 4 lb. 4 oz. 25 13.5
Richard E. Yost Pittsburgh, Pa Lake Erie 9/29 Power Bait 3 lb. 8 oz. 24 13
Richard D. Matson Beaver Creek, Oh Elk Creek 9/18 Wooly Bugger 3 lb. 6 oz. 22 12
Kevin J. Long Mohrsville, Pa Lake Erie 8/1 Spoon 3 lb. 20.5 12.5

 

Sucker
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Mark S Anderson Home, Pa Allegheny River 7/24 Tail Dpth Ra 11 lb. 2 oz. 30 17.25
Jonathan Greathouse Ellwood City, Pa Slippery Rock Creek 8/8 Crayfish Tai 3 lb. 8 oz. 21 12.5
T. J. Hultz Monongahela, Pa Shawnee Lake 6/23 Nightcrawler 2 lb. 18 9
Christopher Slagle New Brighton, Pa Beaver River 6/12 Nightcrawler - 20 -

 

Trout, Brook
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Christopher Hoffman Harrisburg, Pa Tioga River 5/3 Red Worm 4 lb. 14 oz. 20 15
Nathan Lundberg Oh Mill Creek 4/21 Shiner Minnow 4 lb. 10 oz. 18 12.5
Jeff Stevenson Warren, Pa Kinzua 5/25 Joe Flie 4 lb. 8 oz. 22 13
Jim Hall Ellwood City, Pa Haven's Run 8/31 Canned Corn 4 lb. 4 oz. 19 14.5
Matthew Carlson Kane, Pa Kinzua Creek 4/21   3 lb. 12 oz. 20.5 12

 

Trout, Brown
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Greg Reitler N Huntingdon, Pa Lake Erie 8/8 Stinger Spoon 13 lb. 27 20
Robert Statler Huntingdon, Pa Raystown Lake 7/5 Sutton Spoon 11 lb. 8 oz. 28 -
Jim Sleigh Du Bois, Pa Allegheny River 9/2 Rapala 11 lb. 28 -
Cole Barr Du Bois, Pa Wycoff 7/27 Rooster Tail 10 lb. 28.5 17
David M. Davis Hampden, Pa Ontelaunee Lake 1/7 Minnow 9 lb. 11 oz. 28.25 16.5

 

Trout, Lake
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Stephen W. Taylor Glenshaw, Pa Lake Erie 6/18 N K Spoon 23 lb. 12 oz. 35 23
Jeremie Davis Union City, Pa Lake Erie 7/3 Stinger 23 lb. 37 23
David Wetzel Union City, Pa Lake Erie 6/22 Spoon 23 lb. 36 22
Chris Jackson Chester Hts, Pa Lake Erie 7/26 Norther King 20 lb. 2 oz. 36 23.5
John S. Milliron Woodland, Pa Lake Erie 6/8 Northern Kin 20 lb. 34.5 27.5

 

Trout, Palomino
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Brandon Wren Hunlock Creek, Pa Moon Lake State Park 5/4 Minnow 8 lb. 10 oz. 24 14
Dennis L. Cacciola Jr Rome, Pa Monocacy Creek 5/22 Bread 7 lb. 2 oz. 24.5 15.75
V Prudence Burr Portersville, Pa Herford Lake 5/4 Joe Fly Spin 5 lb. 9 oz. 23 12.25
Bruce Yard Spring Church, Pa Buffalo Creek 5/25 Ear Nymph 5 lb. 8 oz. 22.25 14
Santo C. Dragone Ridgway, Pa Wolf Run 5/18 Nightcrawler 4 lb. 8 oz. 22 13

 

Trout, Rainbow
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Michael Tych Masury, Oh Shenango River 3/11 Salmon Egg 13 lb. 9 oz. 33 17
Neil A. Hood Erie, Pa Walnut Creek 11/05 Krocodile 11 lb. 8 oz. 31.25 16.25
Emery Kerekes Jr New Florence, Pa Tubmill Creek 4/23 Spin-E-Miny 10 lb. 28 16
Donald Wike Jr Fredericksburg, Pa Lion's Lake 4/19 - 9 lb. 5 oz. 24.75 17.25
Austin R. Greer Biglerville, Pa Middle Creek 4/27 Grn Rbbr Wrm 9 lb. 3 oz. 24 17.5

 

Trout, Steelhead
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Geoffrey Ford McKees Rocks, Pa Elk Creek Access 10/27 White Jig 18 lb. 11 oz. 37 21.5
James R. Apjok Homer City, Pa Elk Creek 10/12 Power Bait 18 lb. 8 oz. 34.5 20
J. J. Gibbs Uhrichsville, Oh Walnut Creek 12/13 Drunken Fly 18 lb. 2 oz. 30.5 17
Larry Rice Pittsburgh, Pa Lake Erie 10/21 Power Bait 17 lb. 35 20
Lonnie Motosicky New Kensington, Pa Lake Erie 10/11 Rooster Tail 16 lb. 14 oz. 34.5 21.5

 

Walleye
Angler Hometown Water Date Bait Weight Length
(inches)		 Girth
(inches)
Wayne Hunkele Gibsonia, Pa Allegheny River 9/15 Rattlin Trap 14 lb. 4 oz. 34 21
Mike Coleman Carmichaels, Pa Allegheny River 2/19 Jig 13 lb. 10 oz. 31 21.5
Richard Thames Jr Avella, Pa Kinzua 10/12 Shad Rao 13 lb. 8 oz. 34.25 17
Robert Romanishin Waterford, Pa French Creek 2/19 Jig/Minnow 13 lb. 4 oz.  31.5 20.75
Lori A. Lester Monroeville, Pa Lake Erie 7/14 Nightcrawler 12 lb. 4 oz. 30.5 20

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