Where was the Minnesota record brown trout caught?

Lake Superior, in St. Louis County, Minnesota.

How long has the Minnesota brown trout record stood?

37 years. The record was set in 1989 and remains the standing Minnesota mark as of 2026.

Which state has the biggest record brown trout?

Of the 12 states we cover with a brown trout record, Wisconsin holds the heaviest at 41 lb 8 oz (2010). Minnesota ranks 10 of 12 at 16 lb 12 oz.

Pink and orange afterglow over the treeline on Slim Lake after sunset

Minnesota Brown Trout Record 2026: 16 lb 12 oz

Q: What is the Minnesota state record brown trout?

The Minnesota state record brown trout weighed 16 lb 12 oz. It was caught in 1989 from Lake Superior in St. Louis County by Jerry Anderson, and is recognized by the Minnesota DNR.

The Minnesota state record brown trout weighed 16 lb 12 oz. It was caught in 1989 from Lake Superior in St. Louis County by Jerry Anderson, and the Minnesota DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 37 years later.

Weight

16 lb 12 oz

Length

Not recorded

Year set

1989

37 years standing

Water

Lake Superior

St. Louis County

Where the record came from

The record came from Lake Superior in St. Louis County. It has no water-quality readings on this site: the lake index covers standing lakes with EPA Water Quality Portal samples, which leaves out rivers and tributaries, Great Lakes water, and smaller ponds that are rarely sampled. Browse the Minnesota lakes with readings instead.

Brown Trout records by state

Minnesota ranks 10 of 12 among the states in our index for record brown trout. Wisconsin holds the heaviest at 41 lb 8 oz, set in 2010.

#	State	Weight	Year	Water
1	Wisconsin	41 lb 8 oz	2010	Lake Michigan
2	Michigan	41 lb 7 oz	2009	Manistee River
3	Missouri	40 lb 6 oz	2019	Lake Taneycomo
4	Illinois	36 lb 11 oz	1996	Lake Michigan
5	New York	33 lb 2 oz	1997	Lake Ontario
6	North Dakota	31 lb 11 oz	2005	Missouri River
7	Indiana	29 lb 5 oz	2006	Lake Michigan
8	South Dakota	24 lb 8 oz	1990	Canyon Lake
9	Pennsylvania	20 lb 9 oz	2020	Lake Erie
10	Minnesota (this page)	16 lb 12 oz	1989	Lake Superior
11	Iowa	15 lb 6 oz	1995	North Prairie Lake
12	Ohio	14 lb 11 oz	2012	Lake Erie

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 Minnesota

9 of Minnesota's 16 standing records are heavier than the 16 lb 12 oz brown trout — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 11 Minnesota records have stood longer, the brown trout mark dating to 1989.

Minnesota lakes that hold brown trout

7 Minnesota lakes are documented to hold brown trout, ranked here on nutrient and algae readings.

Upper Gull Lake — Cass County Island Lake — Clearwater County Upper Estuary Lake — St. Louis County Big Watab Lake — Stearns County Loon Lake — Aitkin County Chester Lake — Cook County Miner'S Pit West Lake — St. Louis County

All Minnesota brown trout lakes →

Other Minnesota records

Walleye 17 lb 8 oz Northern Pike 45 lb 12 oz Muskellunge 54 lb Largemouth Bass 8 lb 15 oz Smallmouth Bass 8 lb Lake Trout 43 lb 8 oz Rainbow Trout 17 lb 6 oz Brook Trout 6 lb 5.6 oz Channel Catfish 38 lb Flathead Catfish 70 lb Black Crappie 5 lb Bluegill 2 lb 13 oz Yellow Perch 3 lb 4 oz Lake Sturgeon 94 lb 4 oz Tiger Muskie 34 lb 12 oz

All 16 Minnesota state records in one table →

Record compiled from the official Minnesota 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 Minnesota DNR.