In mid-December, the Dworshak Reservoir in Idaho continued to cement its reputation as one of the premier smallmouth bass fishing waters in the country with a new catch-and-release record.
According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Joey Walton caught a 23.75-inch smallmouth at Dworshak in May 2022, topping the previous 23.5-inch state record.
Walton caught his fish on Dec. 13, a rather cold day, according to the IDFG. Using a measuring board, Walton took photos needed for authorities to verify the catch.
The catch was the culmination of a months-long quest by Walton for a new state record. The giant smallie was released back into the reservoir to fight another day.
Biologists have determined that this is the optimal time to go after smallmouth bass at Dworshak Reservoir. Analyzing a cyclical pattern in its waters, they attribute it to the abundance of kokanee salmon, which serves as prey for the smallmouths and thus enhances their growth.
Last March, fisheries biologist Eli Felts expressed his anticipation that this reservoir could result in some truly impressive catches over the coming years.
“Last fall I received multiple reports of smallmouth over 8 pounds being caught, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the current state record be challenged over the next couple of years,” Felts said in the release.
The current state record for weight is a 9.72-pound bass caught by Dan Steigers from Dworshak in October 2006, and it was exactly 23.75 inches in length.
The real challenge now is for another angler to catch this fish. Certainly, it won’t be easy, as smallmouths of such size are well-known for being slippery customers.
As we progress through the late winter and into spring at Dworshak Reservoir, when these fish are at their fattest, our hopes remain high that a record 10-pound smallmouth may be caught.
We’ll be keeping track of the catches in the reservoir and will eagerly report any news should a record be broken.
Sources: WideopenSpaces
