Don Wilson, a 16-year-old from Fort Washington, set a state record for blue catfish when he caught a 39-pound, 4-ouncer Wednesday.

The fish was caught on Swan Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River, about halfway between the mouth of the creek and Fort Washington Park.

The fish was checked in at Garys Market in Marbury. Department of Natural Resources freshwater fisheries biologist Tim Groves met Wilson at Grays, certified the weight and measured its length at 41.63 inches and girth at 25.75 inches.

Most catfish caught in that area of the Potomac are channel catfish.

Wilson, the son of Mary and Mike Alexander, will be a junior this year at Friendly High School.

Pub Date: 8/06/99