One fisherman had a very lucky day on a local lake. David Worsham of Avondale headed north to Prescott earlier this month to reel in a big one, and he exceeded even his own expectations.
According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the 23-inch, 5.12-pound Gila Trout he caught in Goldwater Lake on June 2 is possibly a state and even a world record fish. His big catch is currently going through the certification process as an Arizona state record.
Although he originally thought it may be a catfish, Worsham soon realized he had hooked one of the only native trout species in the state. Game and Fish officials say the previous state record for hook-and-line in inland waters for Gila Trout belongs to a three pound, 5.6 ounces and 19-1/4 inches catch by Robert Woods in Flagstaff. That was back in 2011 at the Frye Mesa Reservoir.
The International Game Fish Association All-Tackle World Record Gila trout rests at three pounds, seven ounces. That fish was caught in Frye Mesa Reservoir as well by Bo Nelson in 2011. Although Worsham’s fish has yet to be certified by the IGFA, it’s possible he could break that record, too.
For more information, please visit the official website of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.