# Significant fishing catches in Poland and the United States > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/significant-fishing-catches-in-poland-and-the-united-states > Updated: 2026-10-25T15:56:02.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 4. Anglers in Poland and the United States have reported several significant fish catches. In Poland, Adrian Gontarz and Krzysztof Pyra of the Polish Fishing Academy established a new world record for the Wels catfish by catching a 292-centimeter specimen at Zalew Rybnicki on October 19, 2025. This catch surpassed the previous record of 285 centimeters set by Alessandro Biancardi in 2023. During the Mikado Cup at the Rybnik Reservoir, the fishing team Operation Catfish caught a giant catfish measuring 292 centimeters, equaling the existing world record. Organizers noted this was the same individual that set the record in October 2025. The event also featured other large catches exceeding 250 and 270 centimeters. More recently, German mechanic Oliver Schäfer, accompanied by Dutch partner Kevin Cremers, caught a 2.92-meter catfish during a mid-October tournament in Rybnik, Poland. The specimen, which was reportedly a known resident of the reservoir previously caught in 2025, helped the duo secure second place in the competition. The catch occurred in a reservoir used as a cooling basin for a nearby coal-fired power plant, where warmer water temperatures are believed to facilitate rapid growth in predatory fish. Following tournament rules, the fish was measured by a jury and released back into the water. In the United States, Doug Olson of Minnesota received official recognition from the Department of Natural Resources for catching a 30.25-inch brown trout in Lake Superior. In Idaho, Daniel Caricaburu-Lundin caught a 22-inch largemouth bass; however, the catch could not be officially recognized by the International Game Fish Association because the angler did not use a certified measuring board. ## Claims - Oliver Schäfer and Kevin Cremers caught a 292-centimetre catfish. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The fishing tournament took place in Rybnik, Poland, on October 10 and 11. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The duo achieved second place in the tournament with 28,930 points. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The catfish was released back into the lake following the measurement. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Participants believe the fish is the same one caught in October 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - In October 2025, Krzysztof Pyra and Adrian Gontarz also measured a 292-centimetre catfish. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Approximately 150 anglers from 70 teams competed in the tournament. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The fish has not grown longer since 2025 but has become more robust. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The fishing team Operation Catfish caught a giant catfish during a competition. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The caught catfish measures 292 centimeters in length. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The fish is the same individual that set a world record one year prior. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The catch equaled the existing world record rather than breaking it. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: German angler catches 2.92-meter catfish in Poland German angler Oliver Schäfer caught a 2.92-meter catfish in Rybnik, Poland, potentially matching a record length caught in the same reservoir last year. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-angler-catches-record-breaking-catfish-in-poland ### 2026-10-14: Rybnik Reservoir catfish equals world record A 292-centimeter catfish, equaling the world record, was caught at Poland's Rybnik Reservoir by the Operation Catfish team during the Mikado Cup competition. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rybnik-reservoir-catfish-equals-world-record ### 2026-09-24: Anglers report massive fish catches in Poland and the United States Anglers report major catches: a 100 kg catfish caught in Poland's Vistula River and a massive largemouth bass in the US that missed official record status due to measurement errors. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anglers-report-massive-fish-catches-in-poland-and-the-united-states ### 2026-09-17: Anglers set new world fishing records in Poland and US New fishing world records have been set: Polish anglers caught a 292 cm Wels catfish at Zalew Rybnicki, and Doug Olson caught a 30.25-inch brown trout in Minnesota. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anglers-set-new-world-fishing-records-in-poland-and-us --- Cite as: Significant fishing catches in Poland and the United States. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/significant-fishing-catches-in-poland-and-the-united-states