The muskie caught by Art Weston on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota on October 29, 2024, has now been officially recognized as the IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record muskie. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) certified the catch at the beginning of the year, securing its place at the top of the all-tackle length record books.
Weston was fishing with guide Nolan Sprengeler when the massive fish was landed after an intense battle. The muskie measured 54.33 inches on an official IGFA measuring device before photos were taken and the fish was safely released.
A New IGFA All-Tackle World Record Muskie
The IGFA recently confirmed that Weston, known for landing record-breaking fish, reeled in the 54.33-inch (138 cm) muskie on Lake Mille Lacs in Garrison, Minnesota. This impressive catch is set to surpass the current all-tackle length record.
“After recording the length on his official IGFA measuring device, Art was able to release the fish safely. The record is currently pending and under review,” stated the IGFA before certification was finalized.
Weston is no stranger to record catches, holding 39 current IGFA records, with a lifetime total of 79 records.
Night Fishing for a Record Muskie
According to Outdoor Life, Weston submitted the required documentation to the IGFA on October 30, shortly after landing the fish. He had traveled to Minnesota specifically to fish with guide Nolan Sprengeler, who broke the Minnesota state record for muskie in 2021 on the same lake. The goal was to catch and release a giant muskie, as IGFA length record regulations allow for fish to be returned to the water after proper measurement and documentation.
The strategy involved night fishing, as large muskies are known to be lure shy. On the second night, around midnight, Weston hooked into the massive fish using a Bondy Royal Orba lure, approximately 30 yards from the boat.
Instead of exhausting the fish, Sprengeler advised Weston to reel it in as quickly as possible. Using a 9’3” Thorne Brothers Stealth rod paired with an Abu Garcia Revo reel set at maximum drag, the battle was short but intense.
“It was like a Mack truck grabbed my lure and headed the opposite direction,” Weston told Outdoor Life. “I think I let out an audible ‘Oof’ sound when it struck.”
The approach proved successful, as Sprengeler secured the muskie in a net within 30 seconds to a minute after the hook was set.
Measurements and Record Confirmation
Once the muskie was landed, its length was carefully recorded. It measured 57.5 inches to the tip of the tail and 54.33 inches (138 cm) to the fork of the tail—the measurement that determines IGFA all-tackle length records. This measurement surpasses the previous record of 135 cm, which was set in New York.
With IGFA certification now official, the catch has cemented its place in world record history.
Weston’s Long List of Records
Weston has built an impressive resume of record catches, with official IGFA world records spanning multiple species. In addition to the newly certified muskie record, he holds length records for nine other species:
- Speckled Peacock Bass (90 cm)
- Dorado (98 cm and 103 cm)
- Longnose Gar (138 cm and 148 cm)
- Spotted Bass (40 cm)
- Smallmouth Buffalo (65 cm)
- Whiterock Bass (62 cm)
- Sorubim (127 cm)
Weston also holds a notable line-class record for a 283-pound alligator gar, caught on Sam Rayburn Lake in Texas in September 2023. That catch is considered one of the heaviest freshwater fish ever landed on 6-pound test line.
With the muskie record now officially in the books, Weston’s legacy as one of the top record-holding anglers in the world continues to grow.
Image/Source: Wired2Fish
