Record gizzard shad caught in SE Mo. river

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Missouri has recorded its first fishing record of the year.

The Department of Conservation said a Southeast Missouri man caught a record gizzard shad in the Black River last month.

Brian Taylor caught the fish by jigging. It measured 16 inches and weighed 1 pound, 14 ounces -- 6 ounces heavier than the previous state record for gizzard shad in the alternative-methods category. The old mark was set in 2011.

Gizzard shad live in quiet waters of lakes, ponds, reservoirs and backwaters. They occasionally can be found in every major stream system and are most abundant in reservoirs and large rivers.