In a feat that has the fishing community buzzing, Riley Farden of New Plymouth, Idaho, has shattered the state’s archery record for grass carp with a colossal catch on the Snake River. The 67.65-pound behemoth, landed on June 8, 2025, not only rewrote the record books but also cemented Farden’s place as a bowfishing legend. This extraordinary story, reported by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, showcases the thrill of the sport and the surprises lurking in Idaho’s waters.
Farden was bowfishing for carp on the Snake River when he took aim and fired an arrow that struck gold—or rather, a massive grass carp. The fish, measuring 49 inches long with a 32.75-inch girth, tipped the scales at an astonishing 67.65 pounds. This catch demolished the previous Idaho archery record for grass carp, set at 39.65 pounds and also taken from the Snake River. Remarkably, Farden’s fish also surpassed the state’s rod-and-reel grass carp record of 46.65 pounds, set in 2021 by Cris Endicott on the same river. In a striking coincidence, the grass carp’s weight matched Idaho’s current archery record for common carp, down to the ounce at 67.65 pounds.
In Idaho, carp are classified as nongame fish, making them legal targets for bowfishing, a sport that combines archery precision with angling excitement. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game maintains separate record categories for archery and rod-and-reel catches, and Farden’s grass carp now reigns supreme in the archery division. “It’s a whopper,” one commenter noted on the agency’s announcement, capturing the awe inspired by Farden’s achievement.
Grass carp, large members of the minnow family native to eastern Asia, can grow to nearly 5 feet and exceed 80 pounds when over 10 years old, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While Farden’s catch didn’t challenge the world record—set in Alabama in 2015 by Bryan Hughes with a 92-pound grass carp—it stands as a monumental achievement in Idaho’s fishing history.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game requires rigorous documentation for state records, including a certified scale receipt, species verification, and photos of the fish and weighing process. Farden’s catch met all criteria, earning its place on the agency’s Record Fish in Idaho webpage, where anglers can explore both certified weight and catch-and-release records.
Farden’s record-breaking grass carp is a testament to skill, patience, and the unpredictable rewards of bowfishing. As word of his catch spreads, anglers across Idaho are surely eyeing the Snake River, wondering if another monster carp is waiting to test their aim. For those inspired to chase their own record, the Idaho Fish and Game website offers detailed guidelines and a wealth of information on the state’s diverse fishery.
Riley Farden’s story is more than a record—it’s a celebration of the wild spirit of outdoor adventure. Will his 67.65-pound grass carp remain Idaho’s archery benchmark, or will another angler rise to the challenge? Only time, and the waters of the Snake River, will tell.
Sources: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho State Journal, KTVB
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