Brooklyn Angler Shatters 34-Year Record with Massive White Perch in Westchester

ALBANY, NY (December 16, 2025) — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced Tuesday that a fourth fish species has officially qualified as a state record catch in 2025.

On November 23, Yongfeng Tian of Brooklyn landed a 3-pound, 4-ounce white perch from Cross River Reservoir in Westchester County. The reservoir is located in northern Westchester County, just east of Katonah. Tian’s catch surpassed the previous state record white perch, set in 1991, by 3 ounces.

“This latest State record is a testament to the incredible fishing opportunities that New York State’s waters provide,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “I would like to congratulate Mr. Tian on an impressive catch, and encourage all New Yorkers to visit DEC’s website to find an opportunity near you to catch the next record fish.”

White perch are a common freshwater fish found in lakes and rivers throughout the state, including the Hudson River. White perch are known for their schooling behavior and once located, can provide a lot of action. They can be caught on a variety of small baits and lures, such as jigs, worms, and minnows.

Tian submitted details of his catch through DEC’s newly revamped Angler Achievement Awards Program, which tracks state record fish and recognizes anglers who catch any of the 40 eligible fish species that meet or exceed minimum qualifying lengths.

The program’s three categories are Angler Award, Youth Angler Award, and State Record Award. Anglers can now submit entries for qualifying catches through an online form on their smartphones.

The program supports Governor Kathy Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative that promotes physical and mental health by encouraging New York State’s kids and families to enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings.

Anglers are encouraged to use the Tackle Box feature in DEC’s HuntFishNY app for information on access sites, fish stocking, and regulations.

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.