11-Year-Old Lands First-Ever State Record for White Sucker in Arkansas

An 11-year-old angler from Midway has earned a place in the Arkansas state fishing records after reeling in a white sucker near Bull Shoals Dam — the first recognized catch of its kind in the state.
Daniel Bridgmon, fishing with his father on June 14 below Bull Shoals Dam, landed a 1-pound, 15-ounce white sucker while using a nightcrawler. The catch was verified by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission District Fisheries Supervisor Joe Chilton and weighed on certified scales.

The Bridgmons, who recently relocated to Arkansas from Houston, said they were initially targeting trout when the sucker took the bait.

“We were fishing at where the big spring comes into the state park,” said Daniel’s father, Thomas Bridgmon. “He thought it was a brown trout at first until we got it close enough to see it.”

Uncertain about the species and its potential significance, the family sought help from park staff and a local fly shop. They later traveled to Mountain Home for official confirmation.

Chilton confirmed the fish as a white sucker — and since no previous state record for the species existed, Daniel’s catch now holds the top spot.

“The White River below Bull Shoals Dam is renowned for its exceptional fishing, and this record highlights the diverse angling opportunities available in Arkansas waters,” Chilton said. “Records like Daniel’s inspire the next generation of anglers and remind us why protecting our aquatic resources is so vital.”

The Bridgmons said they’ve enjoyed fishing in the area since moving to The Natural State in January.

“The state park is only a 10-minute drive from the house, so we really enjoy fishing there,” Thomas Bridgmon said. “It’s pretty exciting to see Daniel’s catch being recognized like this.”

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