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New records were set this year for yellow bullhead, white crappie, silver redhorse, and tullibee.

The record for white crappie was set twice. First, a three-pound, six-ounce white crappie was caught on Jan. 23, 2002, then a three-pound, 15-ounce crappie was caught on July 28, 2002. Other new records are three pounds and 10.5 ounces for the yellow bullhead; eight pounds and four ounces for the silver redhorse; and five pounds and 11.8 ounces for the tullibee.

The DNR has maintained a list of state-record fish since 1980. To qualify for a state record, anglers must have their fish weighed on a certified scale witnessed by two observers, have the fish positively identified at a DNR fisheries office, and complete a notarized application with a photo of the fish.

Two state-record fish were removed from the record book. A blue catfish caught last year and a rainbow (steelhead) trout caught in 1974 were removed from the state records. The blue catfish, reportedly caught in the Minnesota River last summer, was removed from the state records after conservation officers learned that the fish had actually been caught in South Dakota.

The angler who reported the catch - a 52-pound, eight-ounce fish - received citations for possession of wild animals in the state that have been unlawfully taken and for knowingly signing a false affidavit.

Because the existense of blue catfish has not been confirmed in Minnsota, there's no longer a state record.

The 17-pound, six-ounce state-record rainbow trout - caught near Knife River in 1974 - was removed from state records at the request of the angler. In a signed affidavit, the angler said the application was entered with incorrect information and asked that the record be removed. The state record for rainbow trout will revert to the previous record, a 15-pound, seven-ounce steelhead caught near Two Harbors in 1970.