Mississippi Has New Youth Category for Fishing Records

Two young girls were the first to enter their names in the book.

Two preteen girls are the first entries in a new fishing records youth category for Mississippi. Margaret Elaine Schindler of Diamondhead, 8, and Myles Fallo of Pascagoula, 11, are the two lucky anglers.

Schindler entered a record 2.8-ounce silver perch, while Fallo took the first honor for the biggest slippery wrasse with a fish weighing 6.88 ounces. The fish may not be monsters, but the two girls who caught them are worthy of recognition and praise!

In my book, anything that can help kids get interested in fishing and the great outdoors is a very good thing indeed.

Mississippi activated its new youth division for kids 16 and younger this past January.

"We'll measure and weigh the fish, but it doesn't become a state record until the commission votes on it," said Department of Marine Resources spokesperson Melissa Scallan. They can call us and bring the fish by. They need to visit us as soon as they can after they catch it. It'll be checked and validated so the commission can vote on it."

Parents of children who want their child's fish considered for the record book should go to the DMR office at 1141 Bayview Ave. in Biloxi and fill out an an application.

Congratulations to Margaret and Myles, and to Mississippi for creating this new division! Few things go together better than kids and fishing!

Like what you see here? You can read more great articles by David Smith at his Facebook page, Stumpjack Outdoors.

NEXT: 59-POUND HOG CATFISH GIVES 11-YEAR-OLD HIS FOURTH LAKE RECORD