Kankakee fisherman James Swisher, once the leader of a top fish caught in this year's fishing derby, disqualified himself.

The state record flathead catfish was caught in 2023 by Michael Wherley of Fayetteville. He was fishing on the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County when he reeled in the 66-pound, 6-ounce fish.

The flathead catfish phenomenon continues to grow. It's common to catch them from 20 to 30 pounds each, though they easily get twice that size in the lower third of the river.

Flathead catfish — native to the Mississippi River basin — were first detected in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania in 2002, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In the two decades since then, ...

Flathead catfish — native to the Mississippi River basin — were first detected in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania in 2002, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In the two decades ...

Flathead catfish -- native to the Mississippi River basin -- were first detected in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania in 2002, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In the two decades since ...

Today, the river has a wide variety of fish including smallmouth bass, large flathead catfish and a few northern snakeheads. There have been some unique finds as well by the Pennsylvania Fish and ...

Wherley, who has been fishing for flathead catfish on the Susquehanna River for about 15 years, said he was aware of the previous state record, a 56-pound, 3-ounce fish caught by a Philadelphia ...

Wherley, who has been fishing for flathead catfish on the Susquehanna River for about 15 years, said he was aware of the previous state record, a 56-pound, 3-ounce fish caught by a Philadelphia ...