RAPID CITY, S.D. – A state record lake trout was caught from Pactola Reservoir on Jan. 23 by Aaron Jones of Rapid City.

Weighing in at 30 pounds even, the record lake trout surpassed the previous record, held by Steve Matheny, by more than a pound. Jones’ lake trout measured an impressive 41 inches long with a 24 ½ inch girth.

Lake trout are a non-native trout species present in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Stocking records indicate the first lake trout stocking in South Dakota occurred in Belle Fourche Reservoir in 1914 with subsequent stockings in various locations throughout western South Dakota over the next few decades.

Beginning in 1972, lake trout were stocked in Lake Oahe on the Missouri River system on an almost annual basis until 1985. During that time, the first recorded stocking occurred in Pactola Reservoir with stockings in 1977 and 1978 additional stockings in 2003 and 2005.

For a fish to qualify as a state record, the angler must get the fish weighed on a certified scale (available at many local grocery stores), have the species verified by a fisheries biologist or ichthyologist, and fill out a form that can be found at http://gfp.sd.gov/fishing-boating/state-fish-records-list.aspx

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