Georgia angler sets state record with longnose gar catch

LAKE BLACKSHEAR, Ga. — A Middle Georgia angler has set a new state fishing record on Thursday, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Silas Turner landed a nearly 32-pound longnose gar on Lake Blackshear. The DNR said it took about 15 minutes to tire out the fish before Turner could bring it in.

Turner is the first person to break a state fishing record this year. The previous record was set in 2022.

“Congrats to Silas! It has been almost a year since Georgia has been able to announce a new freshwater fish state record, and we are thrilled to congratulate Mr. Turner on this huge longnose gar catch,” said Scott Robinson, Chief of Fisheries for the Wildlife Resources Division. “We hope that this catch inspires anglers across the state to get outdoors and Go Fish Georgia, because you never know when that next state record might be on the end of your line!”