Courtesy: IDFG
On the last day of 2025, angler Robert Gregory set a new Idaho state record for Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the certified weight category. Gregory caught the 19-inch 3.08-pound cutthroat while ice fishing on Henrys Lake.
One of Idaho’s most popular trophy trout spots, Henrys Lake is noted for its population of trophy-class Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Yellowstone cutthroat trout are one of Idaho’s three native subspecies of cutthroat trout. They are found almost exclusively in the Snake River basin above Shoshone Falls and in the Yellowstone River basin.
Yellowstone cutthroat trout occur in southern and eastern Idaho, parts of Wyoming and Montana, and limited areas in Nevada and Utah.
On December 31, Gregory and a group of friends chose to fish at Henrys Lake because of its reputation for producing large Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Henrys Lake is one of Idaho’s first bodies of water to freeze over during the winter, giving anglers an early-season, idyllic hardwater fishing experience. Robert admitted that landing a scale-tipping cutthroat trout was atop the day’s goals.
“My college buddies and I got up early went ice fishing at Henry’s Lake with a goal of catching a state record cutthroat trout, if possible,” he said.
After a slow start that morning, the group decided to switch up their game plan and hit shallower water. The move paid off as the anglers started catching cutthroats.
“We started having hits really quickly, and that is when I hooked into my fish.”
After weighing the fish on a scale at home, Robert realized he likely had a record fish, and decided to weigh his catch on a certified scale at a local grocery store.
In Idaho, attempting to catch a state record Yellowstone cutthroat trout is not a simple process. There are limited areas where anglers can legally harvest Yellowstone cutthroat trout, which makes it challenging.
Henrys Lake is an exception in that the cutthroat trout population is robust and also supported by a hatchery program, so harvest opportunity is available.
Henrys Lake is a shallow, natural lake with a surface area of more than 6,075 acres. The lake’s maximum depth is approximately 28 feet.
The lake’s most sought after gamefish include cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and cutbow (cutthroat trout x rainbow trout hybrid). Other sportfish rainbow trout and mountain whitefish.
In 2023, IDFG stocked Henrys Lake with 93,765 triploid brook trout fingerlings (3-6 inches), 264,379 triploid cutbow fingerlings (3-6 inches), 18,252 cutbow triploid fry (0-3 inches), and 141,491 Yellowstone cutthroat trout fingerlings (3-6 inches).
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, Henrys Lake State Park occupies 586 acres. The park has campsites, boat launching ramps, a pier, restrooms, and other facilities.
Idaho also has a catch and release category for Yellowstone cutthroat trout. In 2020, angler Nate Burr set a new state record for the subspecies with a 31 inch fish caught while fishing the Snake River.
To help anglers achieve new state records, certified scales are now available at most Idaho Fish and Game offices.
Idaho also participates in the Western Native Trout Challenge. Yellowstone cutthroat trout and other Idaho species are eligible to count towards completing the challenge.
source: Idaho Fish and Game
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.