Lewiston, Idaho man lands record 23.5-inch smallmouth bass

CLEARWATER COUNTY, Idaho — A new Idaho catch and release fishing record was set on Tuesday after Travis Wendt of Lewiston hooked a massive smallmouth bass.

Wendt reeled in the 23.5-inch bass while fishing Dworshak Reservoir in north-central Idaho. Two catch and release records have been broken at the reservoir, which owns a world-class reputation for trophy smallmouth bass. 

According to Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG), the previous smallmouth bass record was set in 2020, after Dustin Shepard hooked a 22.75-inch monster. 

Dworshak Reservoir holds all of Idaho’s certified weight records for smallmouth bass since 1982, IDFG said.