A Williamsville man is the new state and world record holder after catching a spotted gar in late February.
Devlin Rich was fishing with a pole-and-line at Wappapello Lake Feb. 25 when he reeled in a 10-pound, 9-ounce fish, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
"His catch is not only the latest Missouri state record, but it beats the current spotted gar world record of 9-pounds, 12-ounces set back in 1994," MDC said.
Spotted gar is a common fish in the Bootheel lowlands of southeastern Missouri, according to MDC.
“Because of the hard, bony jaws, gars are seldom taken on hook-and-line and are rarely used for food,” said Andrew Branson, MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist, via news release.