Southern Utah Angler Sets State Record

Fishing enthusiasts in Utah had an exciting year in 2024, with seven new state fishing records set across various categories. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), which has been tracking fishing records since the early 1900s, expanded its record program to include catch-and-release records and fish caught using alternate tackle methods, such as spearfishing, archery, and setlines.

Currently, Utah boasts 35 state catch-and-keep records, 38 catch-and-release records, 24 spearfishing records, six setline records, and three archery records. The complete list is available on the DWR website. “The primary reason that the DWR tracks record fish is to provide anglers with recognition of their achievements,” DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said in a press release. “The public records are also a fun way to encourage anglers to get out on the water and hopefully encounter some of the large fish Utah has to offer.”

The 2024 records spanned three categories:

• Catch-and-release: Michaell Rueckert set a record with a 13-inch white crappie caught at DMAD Reservoir on Oct. 24.
• Catch-and-keep: Bryan Olsen’s Colorado River cutthroat trout from Currant Creek Reservoir measured 17 inches and weighed nearly 2 pounds. Scott Gubler’s bluegill from Quail Creek Reservoir tipped the scales at 2 pounds and 8 ounces.
• Spearfishing: Steven Gottfredson set records with a 13-pound walleye and a 12.5-inch white bass. Ryan Peterson and Dylan Bear also broke records with a green sunfish and smallmouth bass, respectively.

Anglers looking for trophy catches can explore Fish Lake for splake, Flaming Gorge for lake trout, or Strawberry Reservoir for cutthroat trout. The DWR Fish Utah map highlights additional fishing hotspots.

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Those hoping to set records should consult the DWR website for submission guidelines, which include photographic evidence and certification by witnesses. With records ranging from four to 11 annually in recent years, Utah’s waters continue to offer thrilling opportunities for anglers.