Missouri fishing records falling fast

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missourians are reeling in a large number of record-setting fish this year.

The Missouri Department of Conservation says five fishing records already have been broken in the first few months of 2009, which is as many as typically fall in an entire year.

The two most recent record-size fish were a shorthead redhorse caught at Truman Lake and a smallmouth buffalo caught by a bowfisher at the Duck Creek Conservation Area.

Earlier this year, two records were set for yellow perch and one for a northern hogsucker.

The department keeps separate records for each species according to two types of fishing methods - traditional fishing poles and alternative means such as gigging and bowfishing.