Trophy Fish Size Chart (2024)

FAQs

How do you measure a trophy fish? ›

Lay the fish on top of or beside a flat measuring ruler. Do not lay the ruler over the curvature of the fish's body. Close the fish's mouth and squeeze the tail lobes together. Measure from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail to the nearest ¼-inch.

I would propose that catching a trout of a size that only one-two percent of the fish in a given stream attain, be considered a trophy trout. In some streams that would be thirty inches, while in others it might be twenty inches, or even twelve inches. The skills needed to find and hook such a fish are the same.

Definition of a Trophy Fish

Generally, a trophy fish is exceptionally long or heavy for its species, making it a rare, prized catch. There are specific standards that anglers typically follow for freshwater and saltwater trophy fish.

Ten-plus pounds — the double-digit — is what most would call the undisputed benchmark of a trophy largemouth. It is a basser's dream! However, only a few consistently sack up the double-digit trophy-sized bass.

For best results, place flexible measuring tapes flat on a hard surface and measure fish accordingly. Total Length is measured from the most forward point of the head, with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

A big fish is relative to it's location. But generally speaking and looking at numerous state record walleye catches, a trophy walleye is generally any walleye weighing more than 10 pounds. In fact 10 pounds would only be the state record in 6 of the 44 states with walleye records.

It should now make sense, keep them alive by not using bait, and trout around 10-12 inches are the best eating size, and by leaving most fish in the river, they can grow bigger.

And anything eighteen inches or over is “big.” Trout that have grown to over twenty inches are what we call a Whiskey, and twenty-four-inch wild trout are Namers — following Troutbitten tradition, you have the rights to name that fish.

While blue catfish can grow quite large, research has demonstrated that less than 1% of individuals will ever grow to trophy sizes. In many systems, it can take 15-20 years for them to reach 30 inches or so.

Do you keep trophy fish? ›

If the population is on the decline then your trophy fish is more valuable as part of the breeding population than on your plate. In some cases these fish are doing well and keeping one becomes a personal decision.

definitly sell. they are just slightly bigger versions which give slightly more money. also you get a note in the enzoclopedia for the biggest specimen you caught of each fish.

For the warmwater anglers, a memorable musky is 42" and a trophy is 50", for walleye, they are memorable at 20" and trophies at 25", a memorable Largemouth Bass is 20" and a trophy 25", Smallmouth Bass are memorable at 17" and a trophy at 20", and Bluegill are memorable at 10" and 12 inchers are trophies.

Applying this to rainbow trout means a quality fish is 16 inches long, a preferred fish is 20 inches long, a memorable fish is 25 inches long and a trophy fish is 30 inches long.

Bluegills are not only fun to catch but offer terrific eating qualities as well. We keep some for the pan a few times a year and most of those fish range from 7.5 to 8.5 inches and make tasty fillets. But trophy bluegills exceeding the 10-inch mark are rare and should be considered for catch and release.

SCI is the most commonly used system for measuring trophies from all over the world. In SCI's system, many hundreds of thousands of trophies are registered in lists which are published in book form, and which provide f. inst. biological and often very important insight into game species from all over the world.

And the record for 2012 in particular was an impressive 48 inches! Now that's what we call a real trophy fish. In fact, our Northern Pike weigh in at 6 to 8 pounds on average, and our guests bring in numerous pike each year that measure 36 to 50 inches.