This year holds potential up to be one of Wyoming’s biggest years for new fish records. During the first few months of 2013, anglers have already set five new state records.
To enter a fish for consideration for a Wyoming state record, the following rules must be followed:
• The fish must be weighed on a scale certified for legal trade. Scales in post offices or places of commerce are usually all certified. The scale in your tackle box is not. The weighing must be witnessed by two people other than the applicant.
• Fish caught at private clubs, from fish hatchery waters, or on private ponds not accessible to the public for angling are ineligible.
• Fish must be caught on rod, reel, and line; or pole and line; and hooked (no snagging) using legal methods.
• The species must be verified by the Game and Fish Department. The identity of most fish is usually obvious, but there are certain species such as lake trout, splake, brook trout, walleye, sauger, and some of the sunfish species that could easily be mistaken.
• Fish must be taken during the legal open season of the water where caught.
The department advises having the fish officially weighed as quickly as possible. A large fish will lose moisture over time which can add up to enough weight loss to keep a fish from becoming a new state record.
Record entry forms are found on the Game and Fish website wgfd.wyo.gov. Anglers can contact Game and Fish regional offices or headquarters (307-777-4600) for more information.
Visit wgfd.wyo.gov for a listing of Wyoming’s fish records.
source: Wyoming Game and Fish