Fish records

must be caught with a hook and line according to the fish and wildlife website. I have posted the rules below for the two categories, state record and fish of the year

General Rules for Submitting an Entry

Fish must be taken legally by hook and line from Indiana waters. Fish taken from the main stem of the Ohio River between Kentucky and Indiana, or from the Wabash River between Illinois and Indiana will be considered for Indiana’s Record Fish Program, provided the angler possessed an Indiana fishing license at the time of the catch.
A photocopy of the angler’s license must accompany an entry if a license was required to catch fish from that body of water.
Fish taken from water on artificial feeding programs are not eligible.
Entry must be postmarked by Dec. 31 of the calendar year the fish was caught.
A good-quality side-view photograph of the fish must accompany each entry. Blue catfish must be photographed from the side against a light background. For State Record Fish entries, applicants may wish to consider hiring a photographer.
Anyone can enter and multiple entries are accepted. Fish must be caught in public or private fishing waters where there is no fee for the fish taken.
Complete and mail the entry form below along with the following:
copy of fishing license
Scale Inspection Report for all State Record Fish entries only
photo(s) (side view is best)

Rules for Fish-of-the-Year Entries

Size is determined by a total length measurement, or fork length for shovelnose sturgeon. No weight measurement is required for Fish of the Year.
One witness, who is not a relative, who observed the length and/or weight measurement must provide their contact information.
It is not necessary to report the location where the length measurement was taken for Fish of the Year entries.
Provide photograph(s) of the fish (sideview) and copy of fishing license, if required.
Fish of the Year entries may be submitted electronically along with digital photos and fishing license number to recordfish@dnr.in.gov.

Rules for State Record Fish Entries

Size is determined by weight measurement first, then length, for state record fish. Both weight and length measurements are required. The weight measurement must be taken before the fish is frozen and on a scale that has been certified by the State of Indiana to be accurate to 1 ounce. If you can’t find a certified scale in a grocery, hardware, grain store, or propane distributor, call the Indiana Division of Weights and Measures at (317) 356-7078 for the nearest location.
Obtain a copy of the Scale Inspection Report from the store owner where the fish is weighed and submit the report with the entry form.
Submit a printed meat packaging label showing the weight of the fish, if available
After weighing, the fish may be gutted and iced, but not filleted or otherwise cut up. The fish must be available for inspection and identification.
State record fish entries may require verification by a Division of Fish and Wildlife fisheries biologist. It is the responsibility of the angler to schedule a time to have the fish examined by a State fisheries biologist.
Two witnesses, who are not relatives, who observed the length and/or weight measurement must sign the entry form.
Provide the location information on where the fish was weighed.
Provide side-view photograph(s) of the fish and copy of fishing license, if required.