It’s incredibly rare to catch a 30+ inch trout. It’s even more rare to successfully release it! These fish are old and often fight to the death.
Read below about the few who have achieved this honor.
April 25, 2022 Paige Hedrick Fish: 30.25″ Brown
Lure: “Drag Queen” Custom Fly
Location: Trophy Area
Guide: Brett Rader
Additional information: Paige was fly fishing for the first time! Her fish weighed 13.9 lbs and measured 20 inches in girth.
January 21, 2022 Mario Lozina Fish: 30″ Brown
Lure: LOZ Lures Jerkbait
Location: Trophy Area
Guide: None
July 24, 2021 Cameron Hruza Fish: 30″ Brown
Lure: Scud
Location: Trophy Area
Guide: Robbie Dodson
August 29, 2020 Kenny Lind Fish: 34″ Brown
Lure: Black Leech
Location: Trophy Area
Guide: None
September 1, 2020 David Scott Fish: 31″ Brown
Lure: Signature Series Jerkbait
Location: Trophy Area
Guide: Duane Doty
September 19, 2020 John Meadors Fish: 34.5″ Brown
Lure: Black Leech
Location: Trophy Area
Guide: None
December 12, 2020 Blake Wilson Fish: 30.125″ Brown
Lure: Signature Series Jerkbait
Location: Trophy Area
Guide: None
Additional information: The night of the catch, Blake tripped and fell into the frigid water – filling his waders. He decided to keep fishing, and his perseverance was greatly rewarded!
July 27, 2019 Jon Overmann Fish: 32″ Brown – 21 lbs. 7oz.
Lure: Inflated Night Crawler
Location: Fall Creek to Branson
Guide: None
February 23, 2019 Paul Crews Fish: 38″ Brown – 27″ Girth
Lure: Marabou Jig
Location: Fall Creek to Branson
Guide: None
Additional Information: The fish, nicknamed “Frank the Tank” weighed in at 34lbs. 10oz. and held the Missouri state record for brown trout for just over 6 months. Paul was fishing in the annual Vince Elfrink Memorial Tournament when he landed Frank. Needless to say, he won the tournament. Read the story here.