Those CO lake trout have a bunch of critters to eat?

[backpacker]

I'd say so.

https://freerangeamerican.us/world-record-lake-trout-enloe/

I always wanted to head to the northern reaches of Canada and fish for those big lakers in Athabasca, Great Bear, or Great Slave lakes. Always seems to me a lot of the big lakers down in the lower 48 have smaller heads in relation to the body sizes too. I imagine they tend to grow a bit quicker than the far north fish.

 

[elkantlers]

That's an incredible fish.

 

[oilcan]

Glad they released it.

 

[Gunnihunter]

I think it’s Blue Mesa that has been at record low levels making it easier to find prey. The reservoir is famous for large lake trout.

 

[marburg]

Look at that Rosie O'Donnell fish....wow

 

[tailchasers]

Like a cartoon character.

See if this link works.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Bookhead]

Giant fish added 1/2- 1" to each measurement but a monster regardless

 

[EVILNR]

What had that thing been eating?

 

[HntHrdr]

Beast is a type 2 diabetic for sure

 

[Thill]

What had that thing been eating?

I'm sure it was full of Kokanee along with a few other lakers/rainbows/browns and perch. We used to go down in the summer and kokanee fish and every now and then your fish finder would light up with a huge fish below the school of kokanee. I always wanted to bring laker gear, but never did just target the lakers.

 

[elkassassin]

He's Got a Gut Kinda Like Mine!

 

[Moe]

Glad he didn't hook it while ice fishing.

 

[BigChiefJ]

Wow, I bet that thing is full of mercury!

 

[jims]

What's amazing is the old Colorado laker record was "only" a little over 50 lbs. That's impressive for a lake like Blue Mesa that has been in a slump for larger lakers for quite a few years. The tournaments plus kokanee stocking must have worked. Hats off to Enloe for catching and releasing the possibly 60ish year old fish!

Here's a couple posts on the past laker tournaments.

Lake Trout Tournament at Blue Mesa Reservoir Continues Through July 31 – Pagosa Daily Post News Events & Video for Pagosa Springs Colorado

pagosadailypost.com

Blue Mesa Reservoir: Lake Trout Update - Colorado Outdoors Online

Colorado Parks and Wildlife thanks anglers for helping manage lake trout at Blue Mesa Reservoir; no harvest incentive tournament in 2022.

coloradooutdoorsmag.com

 

[littlebighorn]

That's a Wiffy fish!