Top 20 Largest Fish Caught

List of some of the largest fish ever caught, sorted by weight, including the species, location, and time of catch. These records are subject to updates as fishing techniques improve and new records are set:

Top 20 Largest Fish Caught (by weight)

1. Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
   • Weight: 47,000 lbs (21,000 kg)
   • Location: Near the coast of Pakistan
   • Time of Catch: 1947
   • The largest fish ever recorded, but not typically caught for sport.
2. Manta Ray (Manta birostris)
   • Weight: 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg)
   • Location: Off the coast of Australia
   • Time of Catch: 1991
   • The largest ray species and one of the largest marine animals.
3. Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)
   • Weight: 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg)
   • Location: Off the coast of Japan
   • Time of Catch: 1996
   • The largest bony fish in the world.
4. Sturgeon (Beluga Sturgeon)
   • Weight: 3,463 lbs (1,570 kg)
   • Location: The Caspian Sea
   • Time of Catch: 1827
   • A prehistoric fish species, still considered among the largest fish species.
5. Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
   • Weight: 2,460 lbs (1,116 kg)
   • Location: Off the coast of Australia
   • Time of Catch: 1959
   • One of the most famous predatory sharks.
6. Giant Grouper (Epinephelinae)
   • Weight: 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
   • Location: Off the coast of the Philippines
   • Time of Catch: 2012
   • One of the largest groupers in the world.
7. Tuna (Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus)
   • Weight: 1,496 lbs (680 kg)
   • Location: Off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada
   • Time of Catch: 1979
   • Bluefin tunas are some of the most prized catch for commercial and sport fishermen.
8. Black Marlin (Istiompax indica)
   • Weight: 1,560 lbs (708 kg)
   • Location: Off the coast of Australia
   • Time of Catch: 1973
   • Known for their speed and fighting ability.
9. Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)
   • Weight: 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
   • Location: Indian Ocean
   • Time of Catch: 2011
   • Record weight sailfish catches are exceptional as they are usually lighter.
10. Giant Catfish (Mekong Giant Catfish, Pangasianodon gigas)
    • Weight: 646 lbs (294 kg)
    • Location: Mekong River, Thailand
    • Time of Catch: 2005
    • One of the largest freshwater fish ever caught.
11. King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)
    • Weight: 130 lbs (59 kg)
    • Location: Off the coast of Florida
    • Time of Catch: 1999
    • King Mackerels can grow to enormous sizes.
12. Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baikalensis)
    • Weight: 1,800 lbs (816 kg)
    • Location: Lake Baikal, Siberia
    • Time of Catch: 1930s
    • This record sturgeon was recorded in one of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world.
13. Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans)
    • Weight: 1,402 lbs (636 kg)
    • Location: Off the coast of Hawaii
    • Time of Catch: 1982
    • One of the most sought-after big-game fish.
14. Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran)
    • Weight: 1,280 lbs (580 kg)
    • Location: Off the coast of Florida
    • Time of Catch: 2005
    • Known for their unique hammer-shaped head.
15. Zander (Sander lucioperca)
    • Weight: 100 lbs (45 kg)
    • Location: The Volga River, Russia
    • Time of Catch: 2007
    • Zander is a predator fish common in European freshwater lakes.
16. Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus)
    • Weight: 190 lbs (86 kg)
    • Location: Mississippi River, USA
    • Time of Catch: 2000
    • A lesser-known but significant species of sturgeon.
17. Giant Freshwater Stingray (Himantura polylepis)
    • Weight: 1,300 lbs (590 kg)
    • Location: Off the coast of Thailand
    • Time of Catch: 2009
    • One of the largest stingrays ever recorded.
18. Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
    • Weight: 22 lbs (10 kg)
    • Location: California, USA
    • Time of Catch: 1932
    • A popular freshwater catch in North America.
19. Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)
    • Weight: 388 lbs (176 kg)
    • Location: Off the coast of Mexico
    • Time of Catch: 1977
    • Another prized sportfish, known for its strength.
20. Bigfin Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana)
    • Weight: 50 lbs (23 kg)
    • Location: Australia
    • Time of Catch: 2013
    • Not technically a fish, but one of the largest squid species.

These records give a sense of the vast size that different species of fish and sea creatures can reach, both in the ocean and in freshwater environments. Some of these catches are rare, and these records may evolve with future expeditions.