NC native catches potential world record lake trout in Colorado

lake trout

Angler released the 73.29-pound fish

Scott Enloe, who great up in Lenoir, NC, caught a 73.29-pound lake trout on May 5, 2023 while fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado.

Enloe was fishing with his son Hunter, who is a guide for Sport Fish Colorado. It was opening day, and they were the third boat on the lake.

Around 7:45 a.m., a big fish hit Enloe’s jig, raced straight toward the surface, then took a deep dive. Enloe got a quick glimpse of the fish, and estimated it to be 50-pounder.

Using an Okuma rod, and an Abu Garcia baitcasting reel spooled with 10-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon line, Enloe fought the fish, which peeled line against the reel’s drag and stuck close to the bottom.

About 13 minutes later, he got the fish to the surface, where the two anglers made several attempts at corralling the fish into the biggest net Frabill makes. Finally, they heaved the big fish into the boat.

The lake trout measured 47 inches in length, with a girth of 37 inches. This puts it at 4 inches longer than the current all-tackle length record of 43 inches.

The 73.29-pound weight is heavier than the current world record, a 72-pounder caught in 1995 in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

After taking measurements and snapping a few photos, Enloe released the big fish. The two anglers headed home after that, excited about the catch.

 

About Brian Cope 2905 Articles
Brian Cope is the editor of Carolina Sportsman. He has won numerous awards for his writing, photography, and videography. He is a retired Air Force combat communications technician, and has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of South Carolina. You can reach him at brianc@carolinasportsman.com.

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