RICHMOND, VA- the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is thrilled to announce that on May 29th, 2023, Brittany Watkins from Henderson, North Carolina landed a 6-pound, 8 ounce Saugeye from the Virginia portion of Lake Gaston.  Ms. Watkins caught the trophy-sized fish with a crankbait.  The fish measured 25 ¼ inches, with a girth of 14 ½ inches and was officially weighed at Bobcat's Bait and Tackle in Clarksville, VA.   

After biologist verification and review by the State Record Committee, Ms. Watkin's catch was certified and is recognized as the current Virginia State Record Saugeye.  The Saugeye surpassed the previous record of 6 pounds, 0 ounces caught by Michael Miller in 2022 from the Staunton River.   

For more information on Saugeye, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/fish/saugeye/