NILES --  A southwestern Michigan fisherman's nearly 50-pound catch is one for the record books.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced Monday it's confirmed that the flathead catfish caught by Rodney Akey of Niles breaks a nearly 70-year-old state record.

The 49.8-pound, 45.7-inch fish was reeled in May 22 on the St. Joseph River in Berrien County while Akey was fishing from shore. Akey says he's been fishing for catfish on the St. Joseph River for two decades.

The DNR says the previous state record flathead catfish was caught by Elmer Rayner of Hastings on the Maple River in Ionia County on Aug. 6, 1943.

That fish weighed in at 47.5 pounds and measured 44 inches. The state says its fish records are recognized by weight only.