Biggest Turtle you see in the North Dakota

[dean nelson]

Was at the folks place and had the biggest snapping turtle come by I've ever seen in ND. He was the better part of three feet from nose to tail when he stuck his neck out. Pic isn't very good but gives an idea of size.....he's the big Rock with his head stuck out a bit on the lower left. His head was the size of a flippen softball. Took a big one out of there last year but this bruiser dwarfed him and would guess he had to be pushing 50 pounds. Seen plenty of big turtles over the years but only one that was close to this guys size range.

Any of you guys ever deal with one of these big toads before?



This is the biggest one from last year and like said he would be dwarfed by today's!

 

[Tymurrey]

Caught a few decent sized ones, not sure if quite that big. Tough little buggers and probably the weirdest thing I've ever cleaned before, never stopped moving. Excellent eating though.

 

[guywhofishes]

yep - Hay Creek east Bismarck. My brothers and I were draining the creek and channelizing it in mid 70s. One the size you described walked out of a drained section. Amazing beasts - wonder how old. Saw one maybe bigger in a creek hunting out by Center.

 

[SDMF]

This is from the Ont. side of LOW and at least as big as the one you're describing:

 

[guywhofishes]

dead?

 

[SDMF]

No, out sunning himself in early August. Beached the boat, took a couple pics and left him to his business.

 

[Huskerdu]

Had one as a teenager off the mouse River filled a wheel barrel! Let it go.

 

[DirtyMike]

 

[Wild and Free]

yep - Hay Creek east Bismarck. My brothers and I were draining the creek and channelizing it in mid 70s. One the size you described walked out of a drained section. Amazing beasts - wonder how old. Saw one maybe bigger in a creek hunting out by Center.

I grew up between the Missouri river and the creeks of Center area and have caught many lunkers during my childhood. Have caught many 3 footers along the Missouri river banks and the creek that runs through center and feeds Nelson Lake was where other monsters could be found too. Have seen pictures and heard stories from old timers of snappers that where in the 4 foot long and about 3+ feet wide from years back along the river.
When I was younger center still had a turtle fry every year during Old Settlers days that ended about the early 80's.

 

[Rick Tischaefer]

Caught a big 'ol girl in a ditch just west of Emerado. 19" shell front to back. Snappers are excellent eating.

 

[DirtyMike]

Always heard of big snappers in square butte but never did see any. Still did my fair share of swimming and fishing in there.

 

[jer79]

we have a river in our backyard and we've seen some big boys. the wife named one "warren". on the opposite bank there has been some large branches etc that we affectionately refer to as the "the junk pile" and a few years ago there would be twop or three sitting there all afternoon. every spring one or two will come into the the yard looking for a spot to lay eggs. I could tell because either id see them or the dog would go outside and freak out. sometimes you could see a trail through the dew in the grass, sometimes theyd still be there or be laying on the sidewalk in the sun. I have better pics but they are on our old pc and haven't transferred all the pics yet.

 

[Wild and Free]

Always heard of big snappers in square butte but never did see any. Still did my fair share of swimming and fishing in there.

Between the highway 25 and the walking bridge area south of the courthouse was a goldmine for nice snappers. That was 30+ years ago already sheesh.

 

[DirtyMike]

Between the highway 25 and the walking bridge area south of the courthouse was a goldmine for nice snappers. That was 30+ years ago already sheesh.

Spent a lot of time down there as a kid.

 

[camoman]

I've removed a few from trap nets in my day. Never a fun process. Biggest I've seen we estimated around 60 pounds. Could have easily removed fingers.

 

[dean nelson]

This is from the Ont. side of LOW and at least as big as the one you're describing:

That boy definitely has the right look to him. There is something about the real big ones that just looks different...the shell isn't all that much bigger but they seem almost flatter and have allot more exposed flesh on the legs and neck area. It's sorta like seeing a 180 class buck in that the second you see it you instantly know your looking at at monster no field judging required.

 

[dukgnfsn]

This is the biggest I have ever seen, his head was at least the size roundness of a 1 liter booze bottle,(most on here should be able to relate). I know his shell was well over 3 ft wide. he was huge and very interested in my lure every time I brought it in by him. I toyed with him for over 15 minutes and had to watch so he didn't go after my fish on my stringer. dukgnfsn