In the Dutch town of Dodewaard, on the River Waal, a new national record has been set for the largest catfish caught by an angler. Mohammed Massaoudi, after a meticulously planned campaign that included the use of an echo sounder, succeeded in landing a specimen measuring 2.49 metres. The catch took place over the weekend, when the giant fish finally took his bait and was hauled onto the bank.
The story carries an unusual twist: the previous record holder was Massaoudi's friend and regular fishing companion, Paul Breems. Breems had most recently caught a catfish of 2.47 metres, and had expressed his intention to beat that mark. Instead, his friend beat him to it. According to a report in the German tabloid Bild, citing the angling magazine Blinker, Breems helped Massaoudi carry the fish onto dry land. Over recent years, Breems had steadily improved his own records, from an initial 2.42 metres up to 2.47 metres.
The Dutch newspaper De Gelderlander reported that Massaoudi will now be officially registered as the record holder. Breems, apparently taking the news in good spirit, congratulated his friend on the achievement.
Fish Released to Grow Further
Notably, the catfish did not remain on land. It was carefully released back into the River Waal, allowing it to continue growing. This means Breems could, in theory, reclaim the record in the future if he manages to catch the same fish again — or another of comparable size.
The incident recalls a less fortunate encounter last year in Bavaria, where a 90-kilogram catfish in Lake Brombach bit several swimmers. That animal was eventually shot dead by police, who described its behaviour as aggressive.
While the Dutch record is a local affair, it highlights the growing popularity of catfish angling across Europe. The species, Silurus glanis, is native to much of the continent and can reach impressive sizes, particularly in large rivers like the Waal, a major branch of the Rhine delta. Such catches also draw attention to the health of these waterways, which support diverse aquatic life.
For those interested in European records, the Dutch feat is a reminder that even in a densely populated country, nature can still surprise. The Waal, flowing through the Netherlands and into the North Sea, is a vital artery for both commerce and ecology. Its catfish population has thrived in recent decades, thanks in part to improved water quality and conservation efforts.
Meanwhile, across the continent, other anglers are setting their own marks. In a different context, Kanye West claimed a record crowd in Istanbul amid tour cancellations, showing that records come in many forms. And as climate change reshapes environments, the UN warns of persistent El Niño effects that could alter fish habitats. For now, the Waal's catfish remain a testament to the resilience of European freshwater ecosystems.
