BOISE, Idaho — Reed Monson enjoys fishing for largemouth bass in Lake Lowell.
The Meridian man got a big surprise on a recent fishing trip to Canyon County.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game says Monson landed a catch-and-release state record with his 33-inch channel catfish.
Reed was fishing on Lake Lowell on July 24 when the giant catfish inhaled his plastic swimbait. His fish narrowly beats the state record recently set by Scott Turner (32-inches) in May 2020.
While Lake Lowell is primarily known as a bass destination, Idaho Fish and Game says it does have a robust catfish population. The department stocks between 5,000 - 10,000 catfish annually, which grow quickly and frequently exceed 10 pounds.
Fish and Game often stocks channel catfish during the summer months, when waters are too warm for trout. There are abundant catfish populations in the Snake River and many of Idaho's lakes, reservoirs, and ponds.
