Catch and Release Paddlefish

Looks pretty solid.  I'm not too good at guessing paddlefish but judging by others that have been 80 pounds this one can't be too far off.

Jeese, I am going to have to try paddlefishing.  Nice catch!

                         I`d guess 75 to 80 pound range. Nice fish

My guess is 80+, makes you look smaller than you really are.

good girth--85-90 lbs--nice fish!!

 what is the point of catch and release only?  they should make it an optional catch and release. that way those fish caught on a catch release can be given to north star and they can get some more money and the guys that fish on weekends and dont catch fish but go out on a catch and release day catch a beauty that this one and they cant keep it.

Game_Pig Said:
 what is the point of catch and release only?  they should make it an optional catch and release. that way those fish caught on a catch release can be given to north star and they can get some more money and the guys that fish on weekends and dont catch fish but go out on a catch and release day catch a beauty that this one and they cant keep it.

Are you feeling okay?

I actually would like catch and release options on the weekend too.  Quite honestly, I have no desire to kill a paddlefish again.  Call me a softy but after finding out how old this fish are and the fact they just aren't the greatest table fare (plus the meat to weight ratio is horrible).  I like going because it is fun but I don't really want to kill another paddlefish.  So, I haven't been going.  Not that I care if others snag and kill.

They have their reasons but I'm not sure if they are that important to not allow people to catch and release.  They have wardens up there like hawks so they could definitely monitor the vast majority of paddlefishermen and how they may be "catching and releasing."  But I guess, there is a lot going on.  Still, maybe one weekend of catch and release?

The only part of C&R i don't like is not being able to know exactly how big the fish was.  After having to let this one go(and one other whopper 2 years ago), i've been thinking about making a setup with a big fish cradle and a scale, so i can quickly and SAFELY weigh the fish, then let her go.  Or i should at least bring a flexible tape to get some measurements, but there isn't much of a guide to go by for paddlefish.  This year i watched a few different people mishandle the fish on C&R days(holding it by the gills for pics), I just hate seeing that.  If they went to more C&R days that would prolly increase...

Tim Sandstrom Said:
Looks pretty solid.  I'm not too good at guessing paddlefish but judging by others that have been 80 pounds this one can't be too far off.

I agree completely that its difficult to judge by pictures.  My estimation is 100+, the girth on the fish was almost unbelieveable.  I was able to try and pick it up, but the river was a little unstable below me....so i never did, but it was very heavy...  I'm not gonna lie, thoughts have been going through my mind about the state record and this fish, it prolly wasn't that big, but if you haven't weighed it, no one knows...