Mr. Evan if I may, only assuming you are keeping most those flats with them being in your house and stringer in the other, and with the size to them I would be very cautious of mercury poisoning. The DnR guidelines give you a certain amount recommended, but seeming some of them are larger fish, and much older than your typical fish at those sizes they have had much more time to accumulate the icky stuff that can get you pretty darn sick. Maybe I’m off my data but still use caution.
Nice fish by the way!! Wish we had a bigger population up this way.
Absolutely thanks for the reminder. 20#’s is the absolute biggest I would consider harvesting. Won’t be harvesting a batch like this again this year. Enjoying the cooler water & firmer meat on the fish! I actually have gifted 3 to a buddy to smoke earlier this year. I have only smoked 1 myself but have a batch of 4 to smoke tomorrow.
Caught a 34″ 17# last night, PB of the year. In past years and the upcoming months when the big girls come out I will likely be fishing C&R only. I’m after the state record.. 
Forked Whisker. That must happen frequently in the flathead world.
Brian, any reason for the fork?
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