With the late ice out this year it got me wondering if this might be the year the Minnesota state record smallie might be caught from Mille Lacs. 8 pounds even is the current state record.
Do you think it might/could happen?
Also, is it possible to get an official weight without killing the fish?
I think every year that there is a good chance of the record being broken. Does it matter with the late ice? I do not think so as most smallies in the pond are still pre-spawn on bass opener. I have seen males by beds and guarding fry into July.
I think that the smallie record will eventually come from Mille Lacs but it will be caught by a muskie angler.
Quote:
Also, is it possible to get an official weight without killing the fish?
The rules that are now in effect say NO, remember the ruckus about transporting the record largemouth, but they can write me my ticket if I am the one that has caught it. If I can it would be caught, weighed, verified, and released.
Ron
-------------------- I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing.
Francis, I plan to break the record in July, and then break my own record again in August.
But seriously, she could be in there. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if one of the Musky guys catches her some day. I could see that happening. But the conditions are right for it. It's one of the top fisheries in the state with an excellent forage base, and with the length limit in place there's no reason the record smallie couldn't be in Mille Lacs.
As far as keeping it alive, a guy could transopt it alive in the live well if he got permission from a CO. Get it weighed on an official scale, get photos and measurements, and release her if the DNR would allow it. Although I'm generally strongly in favor of replicas, a fish that large is going to be at the end of her life span. I wouldn't be too upset about someone wanting to mount that fish. That's my take. Others may disagree.
-------------------- Wade Kuehl - Jolly Ann Marine & Outdoors
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Quote: I think every year that there is a good chance of the record being broken. Does it matter with the late ice? I do not think so as most smallies in the pond are still pre-spawn on bass opener. I have males by beds and guarding fry into July. I think that the smallie record will eventually come from Mille Lacs but it will be caught by a muskie angler.
Quote:
Also, is it possible to get an official weight without killing the fish?
The rules that are now in effect say NO, remember the ruckus about transporting the record largemouth, but they can write me my ticket if I am the one that has caught it. If I can it would be caught, weighed, verified, and released.
Ron
Ron, I was posting at the same time as you. It's funny you and I both mentioned that a musky guy may be the one to take her. I suspect it will.
-------------------- Wade Kuehl - Jolly Ann Marine & Outdoors
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Click on the Jolly Ann Marine Banner above to visit our website!
I think that those super sumo smallies want a BIG dinner when the chance presents it's self. Not uncommon to hear the muskie guys taking about the size of the bass that they catch each year.
-------------------- I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing.
I guess I never really knew when the fish dropped there eggs, so my thought was that someone might catch a record fish that is carrying eggs thus pushing up the poundage.
Quote: I plan to break the record in July, and then break my own record again in August.
I sure hope that my netting skills are better than Blues.
It would be very hard to net fish like Blue. I'm pretty sure most 5 year olds would give him a run for his money. Does anyone have the video laying around. I need a good laugh.
-------------------- I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.
Eddie Lyback told me that one of his houses actually caught the state record smallie ice fishing of all things! Being as it was out of season they had to release it, however.
Not sure if it's true or not, but that came straight from Eddie's mouth.
Boy, that would be really depressing, wouldn't it? I wouldn't doubt that it could happen. I'm going to pretend you didn't bring that up, Bob, so I won't have to think about it.
I didnt hear about that but Im sure there is a record smallie in there and probably more than one.Tony Capra caught one quite a few years ago that was just shy of the record.
This is a fish caught last summer on Mille Lacs that my buddy just got back. (it's a replica) It was just over 22" and weighed around 7 lbs 3 oz. If this fish was full of eggs would it have been 8+ ?
Mille Lacs, State Record Smallie?
Re: Mille Lacs, State Record Smallie?
That's my take. Others may disagree.
This is a 6lb 9oz, I can't imagine another 1.5lbs. 
