Record Trout Caught In Connecticut

Rich Courtright with his massive 16-pound, 7.5-ounce rainbow trout. Photo courtesy CT Fish & Wildlife.

A rainbow trout caught in Connecticut earlier this month didn’t just set a new state record—it shattered it.

Angler Rich Courtright caught a massive 16-pound, 7.5-ounce rainbow trout in the West Branch of the Farmington River in Riverton, Connecticut on April 11.

According to Connecticut Fish and Wildlife officials, Courtright’s trout weighed in well above the previous state record of 14 pounds, set in 1998.

Officials said the local hatchery does not raise rainbow trout. They said the fish had spent the past several years “helping” to trigger the Atlantic salmon to feed. That’s because captive Atlantic salmon are timid about feeding on pellets at the hatchery. So, to solve this fish culture problem, hatchery staff add 20 or so rainbows—who love to eat and will start to feed immediately—in with the salmon.

Once the Atlantic salmon see or sense the splashing, they become eager to join in.