Ohio Anglers Stunned by Enormous Fish Caught in River

Fishing season is off to a wild start with anglers across the Midwest landing fish large enough to rewrite the record books. Minnesota produced two massive catches in the same month, while an Ohio fisherman made history with a rare hybrid crappie that stunned wildlife officials and experienced anglers alike. These catches are turning ordinary fishing trips into unforgettable moments:

Minnesota Angler Breaks State Record With Massive 44-Inch Lake Trout. A White Bear Township angler set a Minnesota record after catching and releasing a 44-inch lake trout on Lake Superior. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Matthew Hammer landed the fish in April. The trout beat the previous state catch and release record by nearly an inch. Catch and release fishing helps trophy fish continue to grow and spawn while giving future anglers a chance to land record sized fish. Read More

Monster 80-Inch Sturgeon Caught in Minnesota Shatters State Record. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources certified a new catch and release state record lake sturgeon after Travis Keating landed an 80-inch fish on the Rainy River in Lake of the Woods County. Keating called it "the biggest fish of my life." Battling freezing temperatures and strong winds during an annual fishing trip with friends, the group spent hours on the water before the massive fish struck near the river mouth. The sturgeon measured 80 inches with a 38-inch girth and was estimated at 165 pounds. Officials said the catch reflects the recovery of the Rainy River-Lake of the Woods sturgeon population after decades of decline from overfishing, pollution, and habitat damage. Read More

Ohio Anglers Stunned by Enormous Fish Caught in River. Jesse Miller of Middletown caught a record-breaking hybrid crappie on the Great Miami River near the Middletown Dam, according to the Ohio Department of Wildlife. The fish weighed 4.27 pounds, measured 18.3 inches long with a 16-inch girth, and became the first entry in Ohio’s hybrid crappie record category. Miller landed the fish April 1 using a spinning rod with six-pound test monofilament line. Two fisheries biologists confirmed the fish was a hybrid. Ohio fishing records are certified by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio State Record Fish Committee. Read More

More from Fishmasters:

The Top 30 Fishing Lakes in Minnesota Ranked

All the Different Species of Sturgeon You Can Catch

How to Catch Crappie: A Simple Guide for Every Season