FORREST CITY – Randy Lee King of Forrest City became the first Arkansas goldeye record-holder May 6.  He was fishing with a minnow in the St. Francis River near ForrestCity when the 11-ounce record struck.

Now that goldeye has been added, 56 species of fish are on the state-record list.

Many fishermen haven’t caught a goldeye and wouldn’t know what it was if they did catch one. It’s in the same family as the mooneye, a fish that’s probably a little bit better known. Goldeyes can get as big as 3 pounds.

The nocturnal goldeye inhabits several rivers in Arkansas, particularly the Arkansas and Mississippi, and is more tolerant of turbid water than the mooneye. It’s known for its large canine teeth and large eyes. The goldeye is a commercial fish in several northern states, including North and South Dakota.

News Source: Arkansas F&G - Jul. 26, 2007