The wait is over. Madison (Madi) Nackos is the new Idaho catch-and-release record holder for cutthroat trout.
Nackos, 21, was fishing with friends at Priest Lake on May 29 when she reeled in a Westslope cutthroat that measured 24 inches – three inches longer than the existing record.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced her catch as a new record Tuesday, describing the trout as a “monster” in terms of its size.
Nackos, who is from Spokane, Wash., boasted via Instagram: “I am super stoked about this fish. I’ve waited nearly a month to post about it until it was official but I just received the email from IDFG confirming my STATE RECORD FISH!
“This beautiful post-spawn Westslope cutthroat measured at a hefty 24 in, shattering the previous record by 3 inches. I’M IN THE BOOKS BOYS!!!”
She declined to reveal the type of lure she used when reached by For The Win Outdoors, but gladly shared her feelings about the catch, after a minute-long fight, aboard a 15-foot Gregor boat:
“Cutties have always been my favorite fish to hook even before this one because they are so beautiful and aggressive, and despite this fish being old and post spawn she was beautiful and in great condition.
“What shocked me the most was the size of its head. I’m still in shock from catching that fish back in May, and I’m sure I will be for a while.”
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According to IDFG, Westslope cutthroat trout are native throughout much of the state’s Panhandle Region.
Idaho recognizes length catch-and-release records for each of the state’s four subspecies of cutthroat trout: Westslope, Bonneville, Yellowstone, and Lahontan.