How long has the North Dakota rainbow trout record stood?

28 years. The record was set in 1998 and remains the standing North Dakota 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). North Dakota ranks 6 of 12 at 21 lb 4 oz.

North Dakota State Record Rainbow Trout: 21 lb 4 oz

Q: What is the North Dakota state record rainbow trout?

The North Dakota state record rainbow trout weighed 21 lb 4 oz and measured 32 inches. It was caught in 1998 from Missouri River by Wade Weltz, and is recognized by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The North Dakota state record rainbow trout weighed 21 lb 4 oz and measured 32 inches. It was caught in 1998 from Missouri River by Wade Weltz, and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department still recognizes it as the state mark 28 years later.

Weight

21 lb 4 oz

Length

32 in

Year set

1998

28 years standing

Water

Missouri River

Where the record came from

The record came from Missouri River. 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 North Dakota lakes we do grade instead.

Rainbow Trout records by state

North Dakota ranks 6 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 (this page)	21 lb 4 oz	1998	Missouri River
7	Iowa	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 North Dakota

6 of North Dakota's 16 standing records are heavier than the 21 lb 4 oz rainbow trout — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 5 North Dakota records have stood longer, the rainbow trout mark dating to 1998.

North Dakota lakes that hold rainbow trout

19 North Dakota lakes in our index are documented to hold rainbow trout, ranked here by water-quality grade.

AQacmainstfbk Lake — Mercer County BVelva Sportsmans Dam Lake — Ward County BArroda Lake — Oliver County BKota Ray Dam Lake — Williams County BHooker Lake — Rolette County BQacmainstdup Lake — Mercer County BNorthgate Dam Lake — Burke County BNorth Lemmon Lake — Adams County

All North Dakota rainbow trout lakes →

Other North Dakota records

Walleye 16 lb 6 oz Sauger 8 lb 12 oz Northern Pike 37 lb 8 oz Muskellunge 46 lb 8 oz Largemouth Bass 8 lb 8 oz Smallmouth Bass 6 lb 13 oz White Bass 4 lb 10 oz Channel Catfish 42 lb 1 oz Bluegill 2 lb 12 oz Yellow Perch 3 lb Chinook Salmon 31 lb 2 oz Brown Trout 31 lb 11 oz Lake Trout 16 lb 6 oz Paddlefish 131 lb Lake Whitefish 9 lb 3 oz

All 16 North Dakota state records in one table →

Record compiled from the official North Dakota Game and Fish Department 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 North Dakota Game and Fish Department.