With the big news of Paul Easley’s Oklahoma state record-setting alligator gar caught in Lake Texoma last month, I started thinking about the recording and reporting of specimen fish. How does it work? What has to happen for a state or lake record to become official?

Easley’s 254-lb 12-oz trophy gar is not only the largest fish caught in Lake Texoma, but it’s the largest fish ever caught in the state of Oklahoma, in any body of water. And it was caught by snagging, which is illegal in Texas. But it’s legal for non-game fish in Oklahoma:

“SNAGGING: Snagging, the dragging of one single hook or one treble hook attached to a fishing line through the water to impale fish, shall be lawful in all waters year-round for nongame fish only unless restricted under ‘SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS.”

And what are non-game fish?

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, non-game fish are “…any fish that is not listed as a sport fish or as a threatened or endangered species. This would include the fishes we use as bait, fish that we have found are not particularly appetizing and do not put up a ‘sporting’ fight, and fish we simply choose not to fish for.”

So, to catch a record-setting fish, the first thing I have to know is which state controls the water where I’m fishing in Lake Texoma, and the second thing I have to know is whether or not I’m using a legal fishing method for a game fish or a non-game fish. That’s a lot to know and understand, and it makes me think it’s a good idea to fish with a licensed guide who already knows the rules!

We know that striped bass are game fish. Oh yeah, stripers fit the description of a fish with the ability to put up a sporting fight, for sure. Barbara Pope lives in Dallas, and she was fishing (with licensed guide Chris Carey) in Oklahoma waters where she caught a record-setting striped bass in December 2014. Her 27.29-pound, 38 3/4” striper set the record in Oklahoma, but it DOES NOT beat the Texas record held by Terry Harber since 1984. That trophy striper weighed 35.12 pounds and was 39” long.

Knowing where you are fishing and knowing the rules for the method and type of bait you use are all important. Choosing a licensed fishing guide can take care of all that for you.

Then, when you land that big one, you’ll need to follow the Texas Parks and Wildlife Angler Recognition Program rules if you’re in Texas waters, or the Oklahoma Fishing Regulations if you’re in Oklahoma waters.

See map below for the state line through Lake Texoma, dividing Oklahoma waters from Texas waters. Good luck knowing it for sure when you’re out on the water!