Iowa Angler Breaks State Record with Massive Black Crappie

A new state record for black crappie has been established by an Iowa angler during an ice fishing trip.

What happened

Micaiah Thompson from Greenfield, Iowa, caught a black crappie weighing 3.95 pounds on February 8 at Lake of Three Fires in Taylor County. This catch surpasses the previous state record of 3.88 pounds, which was set in 2013.

Thompson was ice fishing with his friend Dan Ginn and five children from a church youth group. While the kids fished for bluegills, Thompson and Ginn targeted walleyes. They were fishing in an area where the water depth ranged from 3 to 17 feet.

Using sonar, Thompson identified a brush pile in deeper water and began jigging. Just before leaving for the day, he noticed a sizable fish on his sonar. After missing his first lure, he switched to a second rod with a green jig and minnow, which led to the successful catch.

The fish was initially weighed on a handheld scale at 4.1 pounds, but the official certified weight was confirmed later at 3.95 pounds. After attempting to keep the crappie alive, Thompson and Ginn decided to keep it once they realized it would not survive.

Why it matters

• This catch sets a new benchmark for black crappie fishing in Iowa.
• The record highlights the quality of fishing available in local lakes.
• It emphasizes the importance of proper documentation for potential record catches.

What to do next

• Anglers should report potential record catches to local conservation officers or fisheries biologists.
• Ensure proper weighing on a certified scale for record validation.

Source

Original reporting by www.outdoorhub.com: https://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2026/02/19/iowa-angler-sets-state-record-3-95-pound-black-crappie/