Idaho angler Dylan Smith has once again set the state's catch-and-release record for lake trout, landing a fish measuring 43.25 inches on Payette Lake. This marks the second time Smith has held the record for this species, having previously set it in 2018.
Smith's latest catch occurred on May 2 near McCall. After a significant struggle to reel in the fish, he measured it, confirming it surpassed the previous record of 42 inches. Smith had originally set the record in 2018 with a 41.5-inch lake trout, also caught in Payette Lake, before another angler later broke that mark.
"The former lake trout record holder has returned!" Smith posted on social media after the Idaho Department of Fish and Game officially recognized his latest catch. "'43.25' is the new length to beat!"
Payette Lake is recognized as a prime location for trophy lake trout, a status attributed to years of management efforts by Idaho Fish and Game. These efforts have focused on reducing the population of smaller trout to improve the kokanee population, which in turn supports larger and healthier lake trout. Megan Harding is a writer for OutKick.