World’s largest catfish caught: the river monster that stunned the men who landed it

Two fishermen have pulled from the water the largest catfish ever caught – a 2.92-meter monster (9.6 feet) that has already been recognized as one of the most remarkable catches in history.

The feat took place in the artificial lake of Rybnik, Poland, where warm conditions help these giants thrive. The fishermen, Krzysztof Pyra and Adrian Gontarz, battled the fish for an hour and a half before finally managing to bring it ashore. “When we finally saw it, we couldn’t believe how enormous it was,” they told a Polish television station.

What was the previous catfish record?

This record-breaking specimen surpasses the previous world record of 2.85 meters (9.3 feet), set two years ago by another catfish caught in Italy’s Po River. But unlike that one, the Polish fish came from a reservoir located next to a power plant, whose warm discharge water creates ideal conditions for catfish growth.

After photographing and measuring their extraordinary catch, the men released it back into the water. In rare cases, catfish of this species can weigh more than 220 pounds and live for decades – making this one a near-mythical record that may stand for years to come.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.