WATERTOWN (AP) — A 35-pound, 3-ounce channel catfish caught in Lake Ontario this spring sets a new state record for that species.

State environmental officials say Eric Scordo of Watertown caught the 38-inch catfish on Lake Ontario in Jefferson County on April 29. He used just a nightcrawler as bait.

The catch breaks the 2002 record by nearly 2 1/2 pounds. The previous record channel catfish was caught in Brant Lake in Warren County.

Scordo submitted details of the catch as part of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Angler Achievement Awards program.