New state record rainbow trout caught in Rufus Woods Lake

ARCHIVED NEWS RELEASE
This document is provided for archival purposes only. Archived documents do not reflect current WDFW regulations or policy and may contain factual inaccuracies.

News release March 19, 1998

Madonna Luers, (509) 456-4073
A new state record rainbow trout was caught last month in north-central Washington's Rufus Woods Lake by a Republic man.

Robert Halverson caught the 25.45-pound fish in the Columbia River reservoir above Chief Joseph Dam on the Douglas-Okanogan county line on Feb. 23. Halverson was trolling with a Rapala lure when he hooked the record trout.

Halverson's fish exceeded the former state record for rainbow trout (22.5 pounds) by almost three pounds.

Ray Duff, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) regional fish biologist, said the trout's most striking characteristic was its nearly square shape. The trout measured 31.5 inches in length and 25 inches in girth.

Washington sportfish records are listed in the fishing regulations pamphlet. Fishers who believe they have caught a record-setting fish should first get the fish weighed on a certified scale.

State record sportfish application forms are available at WDFW offices. Signatures of the scale operator, another witness, and a WDFW official are needed on the form for verification.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.