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Tagged Fish – The use of tagged or otherwise marked fish is prohibited in any fishing
tournament, derby or contest held on waters owned or controlled and stocked by Game and
Parks during the preceding 24 months, excluding private lakes not owned by the state or other
governmental entity.
State Records/Master Anglers
If you make an outstanding catch, it may qualify for either a Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission State Record or a Master Angler Award. Physical application forms are available
from Game and Parks offices, conservation officers, permit vendors, and this guide. Submissions
also can be made at OutdoorNebraska.gov/fish/fisheries-programs/master-angler/.
STATE RECORD RULES
• Fish must be caught in accordance with Nebraska fishing regulations by rod and reel,
underwater spearfishing, surface spearing, or archery and must be taken from Nebraska
waters.
• Fish must be weighed on an accredited or certified scale. A commercial measuring tape or
stick should be used to measure the fish.
• Only fish that exceed the current record by at least one ounce are eligible for a state record.
• Two witnesses, one of which must be a permanent employee of Game and Parks, must
witness the weighing and measuring of the fish and sign the application. The angler must
display a Nebraska fishing permit to the Game and Parks employee who witnesses the
weight.
• One clear photograph showing a close-up side view of the fish and one clear photograph
showing the angler with the fish must accompany the completed application. All
photographs become the property of Game and Parks.
• A Game and Parks fisheries biologist must verify the species of fish, and the fish must be
preserved flat until the species is verified.
• Game and Parks may collect fish scales, tissue or spine samples to check fish identification
and to refuse any questionable application.
• Game and Parks may revoke a state record if the record holder is found in possession of
illegal fishing gear or has been cited for repeated fishing violations that cast suspicion on
the authenticity of the record catch.
• No fish caught from any aquaculture or commercial put-and-take facility is eligible.
• Applications must be submitted within 30 days of the date the fish was caught.
• Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/fish/fisheries-programs/master-angler to see a list of Nebraska's
state fish records.
MASTER ANGLER RULES
• A fish need not be harvested or verified by a Game and Parks employee to receive a Master
Angler.
• All fish must be taken from Nebraska waters.
