Illinois DNR Certifies New State Record Walleye
OutdoorHub 03.13.12
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Division of Fisheries has officially certified the catch of a new state-record walleye – the second time the state record has been established this year.
On Sunday, March 11, 52 year old James Zimmerman of Beloit, Wisconsin caught a 15.08 pound walleye on the Pecatonica River in Winnebago County. The fish was measured at 31 and 1/2 inches with a girth of 20 and 3/8 inches. IDNR Division of Fisheries Regional Administrator Dan Sallee certified the new record walleye on March 12. IDNR Conservation Police Officer Dennis Frichtl assisted in the weigh-in and certification.
Zimmerman caught the fish on a 1/8 ounce Northland Fire-Ball jig.
15 year old Nick Tassoni of Rockford caught a 14 pound, 12 ounce walleye on January 7, 2012 on the Pecatonica River between Rockton and Harrison in Winnebago County that eclipsed the former state record 14-pound walleye caught on the Kankakee River in 1961.
