what would you do if you caught the state record walleye

[JohnMickish]

I would take the credit for it. Like it was said elsewhere, if not me, the next guy will take it.

[BlueLundFishrman]

I'd keep it, definitely have it mounted. The benefits of keeping a fish that size far outweigh the benefits of releasing it.

What is someone going to ask next? If you had bought the winning ticket to the powerball jackpot, would you turn the ticket in or throw it away? lol

[mojogunter]

I majorly haggled in 2008 on my Canada trip when people that were up there with us found out I dumped a 27.5" eye back. They never let the issue go and haggled me for the entire trip over it. It got worse when they found out I released a second 27.5" eye.

Funny thing was both fish were caught on the exact same spot using the exact same bait with the exact same measurement. Maybe the same fish? Maybe a good thing I wasn't a meat pig?

Your argument of "not being a meat pig" by throwing back 2-27.5" eyes and keeping a state record fish is comparing apples to oranges. If a person is keeping a record fish to mount and being named as the record holder they are not eating the fish.

[Northlander]

I wouldnt hesitate one bit. I would keep it, get it weighed on a certified scale, submit it with DNR and take the claim for it, then get the one and only mount on my wall. Well maybe one for the Fishing Hall of Fame. LOL.

Im at the point of my walleye career that I want bigger fish all the time. I now need a 33" for a PR.

[wplatehunter]

I would keep it, have it mounted, and have my name next to it as the state record.

[SkunkedAgain]

I get all of my morals from the movies, so since John and Max tossed Catfish Hunter back in the lake for someone else to catch, I'd have to do the same

[mille lacs muskie bum]

i would land the thing and keep it as far from any water as possible. drive it home, then to the local dnr. then to the taxidermist!for some reason i have always thought that was every fishermans dream was to catch a "record" fish and get it mounted and your name recognized. i dont see any greed. also i dont understand why people make a big stink about a record fish being taken but not the numerous 28 to 33 inchers that are taken and mounted or eaten every year.

[Turk]

Today's state record will replenish the lake with state record genes and tons of them. Its also one of the apex predators helping keep the lake in balance. It will also become a trophy for another day. Graphite repos are cheaper and last far longer.

Let it live. I know I would always regret keeping a state record. I'd release it even if it meant the fish is never recorded as a state record.

The greed listed above is shocking.

I would call it greed if an angler kept every big fish. I voluntarily release walleye over 20", over 11 years of guiding we have released a TON of these fish.

If I caught the state record, and kept it I would be taking and keeping only one out of more than 1,000 large walleye. That is not greed. A state record for a guide or not is something to be proud of. If you can not be proud of keeping a record fish or shooting a record buck what can you be proud of?

I am still a conservationist if I keep one fish out of a 1,000.

I also feel that a fish is NOT a state record unless it is official, sure you can feel proud of a big fish but many anglers catch big fish and call it a state record.

The genes are already in the lake from that fishes previous spawns. Big fish genes are with a fish from its first spawn, big fish genes do not develop when they are over 30"...

To each there own you release it cool...with that said "I keep the fish!", and no I don't eat it.

keep catchin'

Turk

[DonBo]

Good answer Turk, the genes in that fish are no different today than they were when she was first spewing eggs years ago. And a record is not a record untill it is recorded as such.

I too throw anything back over 20", but if and when I break that majic 30" mark, I'll proudy take her home and display her for all to see. No guilt about it for me.

[SkunkedAgain]

The last posts "spawned" a question, do the large walleye go through any kind of menopause like humans? At some point, do they stop reproducing or do they do it until the day they die?