How long has the Iowa rainbow trout record stood?

42 years. The record was set in 1984 and remains the standing Iowa mark as of 2026.

Which state has the biggest record rainbow trout?

Of the 12 states in our index with a rainbow trout record, Illinois holds the heaviest at 31 lb 6 oz (1993). Iowa ranks 7 of 12 at 19 lb 8 oz.

Iowa State Record Rainbow Trout: 19 lb 8 oz

Q: What is the Iowa state record rainbow trout?

The Iowa state record rainbow trout weighed 19 lb 8 oz. It was caught in 1984 from French Creek by Jack Renner, and is recognized by the Iowa DNR.

The Iowa state record rainbow trout weighed 19 lb 8 oz. It was caught in 1984 from French Creek by Jack Renner, and the Iowa DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 42 years later.

Weight

19 lb 8 oz

Length

Not recorded

Year set

1984

42 years standing

Water

French Creek

Where the record came from

The record came from French Creek. We don't carry a water-quality grade for it: our index covers standing lakes with enough EPA Water Quality Portal samples to score, which leaves out rivers and tributaries, Great Lakes water, and smaller ponds that are rarely sampled. Browse the Iowa lakes we do grade instead.

Rainbow Trout records by state

Iowa ranks 7 of 12 among the states in our index for record rainbow trout. Illinois holds the heaviest at 31 lb 6 oz, set in 1993.

#	State	Weight	Year	Water
1	Illinois	31 lb 6 oz	1993	Lake Michigan
2	New York	31 lb 3 oz	2004	Lake Ontario
3	Wisconsin	27 lb 2 oz	1997	Lake Michigan
4	Michigan	26 lb 8 oz	1975	Lake Michigan
5	Ohio	21 lb 5 oz	2010	Lake Erie
6	North Dakota	21 lb 4 oz	1998	Missouri River
7	Iowa (this page)	19 lb 8 oz	1984	French Creek
8	South Dakota	19 lb 4 oz	1980	Oahe Tailwaters
9	Indiana	18 lb 8 oz	1988	Clear Lake
10	Missouri	18 lb 1 oz	2004	Roaring River
11	Minnesota	17 lb 6 oz	1980	Knife River
12	Pennsylvania	15 lb 6 oz	1986	Jordan Creek

Each figure comes from that state's own fisheries agency. Agencies differ on what they certify — some recognize catch-and-release length records alongside weight — so treat this as a comparison of standing certified weights, not a single national list.

How it ranks inside Iowa

6 of Iowa's 19 standing records are heavier than the 19 lb 8 oz rainbow trout — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 5 Iowa records have stood longer, the rainbow trout mark dating to 1984.

Other Iowa records

Walleye 14 lb 8 oz Sauger 6 lb 8 oz Northern Pike 25 lb 5 oz Muskellunge 50 lb 6 oz Largemouth Bass 10 lb 12 oz Smallmouth Bass 7 lb 12 oz White Bass 5 lb 2 oz Channel Catfish 38 lb 2 oz Flathead Catfish 81 lb Blue Catfish 105 lb Black Crappie 3 lb 15 oz White Crappie 4 lb 9 oz Bluegill 3 lb 2 oz Yellow Perch 2 lb 13 oz Brown Trout 15 lb 6 oz Brook Trout 7 lb Saugeye 12 lb 4 oz Hybrid Striped Bass 19 lb 10 oz

All 19 Iowa state records in one table →

Record compiled from the official Iowa DNR angling records. Updated 2026. New records are certified year-round — check the agency page before treating any figure here as the current mark. LakeQuality is independent and not affiliated with the Iowa DNR.