Held caught a 7-pound, 3-ounce smallie on Horseshoe Lake in northeast South Dakota near Webster, breaking the previous state record by three ounces.
After getting the fish in the boat and realizing it was likely the state record, Held called a SDGFP biologist in Webster. They talked over the legality of transporting the fish to be weighed, certified and released.
They decided the best course of action was to drive to Webster, buy a large Rubbermaid container, fill it with water and put the fish in it. Held and Ehlert drove from the lake to Sportsmen’s Cove in Webster, weighed and certified the fish, then drove back to Horseshoe Lake for the release.
After getting the fish in the boat and realizing it was likely the state record, Held called a SDGFP biologist in Webster. They talked over the legality of transporting the fish to be weighed, certified and released.
They decided the best course of action was to drive to Webster, buy a large Rubbermaid container, fill it with water and put the fish in it. Held and Ehlert drove from the lake to Sportsmen’s Cove in Webster, weighed and certified the fish, then drove back to Horseshoe Lake for the release.