A round of applause for Daniel Whitesitt from Post Falls for reeling in a remarkable catch-and-release state record for westslope cutthroat trout. Daniel snagged this trophy trout while casting his line into the waters of the Clark Fork River in northern Idaho on April 13, 2024.
Following the catch, Daniel meticulously documented the fish’s measurements and snapped some photos to capture the impressive moment before gently releasing the trout back into its watery habitat to continue its journey. At an impressive length of 25 inches, Daniel’s catch surpassed the previous record of 24 inches, set by Madison Nackos in 2021 at nearby Priest Lake.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout are predominantly found in rivers, and occasionally in lakes, across central and northern Idaho. They typically don’t grow beyond 20 inches, making Daniel’s catch truly extraordinary.
Cutthroat Trout hold a special place in Idaho, being designated as the “state fish”, and the Westslope Cutthroat Trout is among the three native subspecies found in the state, alongside the Bonneville and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Dive into the world of these fascinating native trout with the captivating short film, “A Cutthroat Story”.
Images/Source: IDFG
