Lewiston fishing guide sets Idaho catch-and-release record for smallmouth bass

Lewiston fishing guide sets Idaho catch-and-release record for smallmouth bass

By Eric Barker

Source: Lewiston Tribune

1/16/2023

Credit: Joey Walton

Think bass fishing is a warm weather endeavor? Joey Walton can prove you wrong.

Walton, of Lewiston, hooked, landed and released a 23.75-inch smallmouth bass from Dworshak Reservoir last month and set an Idaho catch-and-release state record in the process. He said smallies reach their peak weight in late fall

“They are basically just gorging themselves and getting their winter weight on,” he said.

The bass weighed a whopping 9.1 pounds. Walton has been chasing a 9-pounder for three years and is fixated on breaking – make that smashing – the state-certified weight record for smallmouth – 9.72 pounds set by Dan Stiegers, of Juliaetta, in 2006.