WDNR Shocks Monster Brown in Big Springs Creek, Grant County

Taken from Email

"Hi Anthony, I believe this is the picture you saw (see attachment): a 18.75" male brown trout we caught in Big Spring Branch, Iowa County. I took the picture and my co-worker Brad Smith is holding it (I've copied Brad on this email). You are welcome to use the photo. I have to admit that we have become used to seeing such giant fish in Big Spring, but it's always a thrill to see them! We seem to catch a few every year. The biggest was a 21" female brown trout we caught there a couple years ago (she had already spent her eggs; it would have been quite impressive to see her gravid!) I've attached a picture of that one as well (I'm in the picture holding the fish). We survey four stations on Big Spring each April and October: two near Big Spring Rd. bridge (1 upstream and 1 downstream) and two downstream from the Pine Tree Rd. bridge. The habitat work done on Big Spring has been quite successful in terms of seeing numbers and sizes of trout. It took a few years for the trout population to respond to the work down from Pine Tree Rd., but they have responded quite well. I don't have our recent data analyzed yet as we've been out in the field most days this month. But skimming over the data quickly, here's what we have in regards to larger trout: -- At the two Big Spring Rd. stations (115 and 166 meters long) we saw 20 trout in the 12-16" range and 1 over 16". -- At the two Pine Tree Rd. stations (100 and 115 meters long) we saw 38 trout in the 12-16" range and 6 over 16" (including the one pictured). Needless to say, that's an impressive number of large trout for such short sections of stream. And there were many many trout in the 8-12" range as well."

very nice fish, but he definitely is holding it out pretty far in front of him!

Still a very nice brown!

That's a BEAST!!

That's nice for an inland trout for Wisconsin. Hopefully people realize that and aren't mixing up great lakes run fish.

Nobody can legally attempt to catch this fish until first Saturday in May. Most would let the fish go. And who is to say the fish will even be alive in May? Might die of old age from a tough winter.

Any inland stream brown 22" or larger I would call huge or gigantic. Sorry to disappoint. I'll post a photo of Moby Dick next time.

These cut the mustard? These are inland fish not great lakes. Sorry for any confusion

Riverguy, Your correct and I'm and I'm not arguing it. Its like seeing a big deer on my trail camera. Many things go into actually getting a shot. I only know a few guys that carry a net that can actually land that trout and about 90 percent don't use the right line weight. I learned and saw a few things this summer and I know I was way way way under equipped. 4-6 lbs test and a average trout net just don't cut it. For most people that is a fish of a lifetime and when they actually have it on their line, equipment failure gets the best on them. Some guys catch 10 of them a year but they are prepared.

JUSSSAYIN'

You still gotta catch him! A thousand idiots stampeding the banks ain't going to get it done.Only savvy trout fisherman will fit the bill. And who knows, maybe a 12 year old down the road will read this and pedal his bike down there and catch him. I wouldn't keep that fish if I caught it anyway and I'm sure many feel the same way. The information is on the DNR website already, I don't see the problem.I'm pullin for the 12 year old and a big fat nightcrawler.......

And now, thanks to the internet, we all know right where that massive monster lives! Or did anyways. Even has bridge in background of photo for reference. Thanks!

Fishtrapp, show your picks of massive and monster so I know when I catch one... I caught one like in the picture and told my buddies that it was massive and I know I used the word monster.Sorry guys , I lied....Its not Joe dirt big.I caught a respectable brown i guess.....

Monster?? Massive? Come on! It's a nice fish but seriously....