State-record walleye caught using trotlines set for catfish, says Polk County man

Tim Stillings was fishing from the Sac River when he caught a state-record walleye earlier this month.

Stillings was running trotlines for catfish May 16.

“It’s somewhat of a dying art," Stillings told Missouri Department of Conservation. "A lot of people don’t do it anymore. But this was the first walleye we’ve caught on a trotline, and it happened to be a state record.”

The walleye, coming in at seven pounds, eight ounces, broke the previous alternative methods record in 2018 of six pounds, 14 ounces, according to MDC.

Stillings said the catch is a joint accomplishment with friend Jake Myers.

“Running trotlines is a lot of work,” Stillings said. “Jake was the one who suggested that it could be a state record. I didn’t realize they had separate records for alternative methods.”

Per the state's fishing rules and regulations, hooks on trotlines must be staged at least 2 feet apart. Hooks on any type of line, as well as the line itself, must be attended every 24 hours or removed.

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Stillings filleted and froze the fish for eating, but he said he plans to have a replica made.

“For those who ask where I caught it, right in the mouth,” he laughed.

MDC staff verified the fish’s weight on a certified scale in Bolivar. This is the third state record fish caught in 2022.

Missouri state record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line, gig, bow, crossbow, underwater spearfishing, snagging, snaring, grabbing or atlatl.

For more information on state record fish, visit http://bit.ly/2efq1vl.

Sara Karnes is an Outdoors Reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter and Instagram @Sara_Karnes. Got a story to tell? Email her at skarnes@springfi.gannett.com.