C.J. STRIKE RESERVOIR, ID – In a season already defining itself through historic angling feats, a Utah man has etched his name into the record books by landing a fish of prehistoric proportions. Greg Poulsen of Eagle Mountain, Utah, set a new Idaho state record for white sturgeon at the C.J. Strike Reservoir, clinching the title with a catch-and-release giant measuring an astounding 10 feet 4 inches (124 inches).

The record-shattering catch occurred on August 5, 2022, as Poulsen and his party—including Angie Poulsen and Wendy Guess—traveled to southwestern Idaho specifically to target North America’s largest freshwater fish. The 124-inch «monster» officially surpassed the previous state record of 119.5 inches, which had been set in 2019 by Rusty Peterson and a group of friends.

While the Snake River system, which feeds the C.J. Strike Reservoir, is known for sustaining a healthy population of sturgeon, specimens exceeding the 10-foot mark are exceedingly rare in these waters. According to Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG), biologists have handled over 4,000 sturgeon during various surveys over the past 30 years, yet fewer than 10 have ever been documented in this elite size class. Typically, fish of this magnitude are only encountered in the deeper, more remote stretches of Hells Canyon.

The white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is often referred to as a «living dinosaur» due to its prehistoric lineage, which dates back over 100 million years. These fish are characterized by their torpedo-shaped bodies, bony plates called scutes, and a cartilaginous skeleton similar to that of a shark.

Given the length bigfishmccall.com and girth of the fish caught by Poulsen, experts estimate the individual could be well over 100 years old. White sturgeon are among the longest-living freshwater species in the world, with some unauthenticated historical records from the Fraser River in Canada suggesting they can reach lengths of up to 20 feet and weights nearing 1,800 pounds.

To ensure the survival of these ancient giants, sturgeon fishing in Idaho is strictly managed under catch-and-release only regulations. These rules were established in 1970 after decades of habitat fragmentation from dam construction and unregulated harvesting severely depleted their numbers.

State regulations mandate that all white sturgeon must remain in the water at all times during handling and photography to ensure proper respiration. Anglers are also required to use barbless hooks and specialized sliding sinker rigs to minimize injury and the amount of gear left in the riverbed. According to IDFG guidelines, new catch-and-release records must exceed the previous mark by at least two inches to be officially recognized, a threshold Poulsen’s catch comfortably cleared by 4.5 inches.

The C.J. Strike Reservoir has become a premier destination for trophy seekers, with Poulsen’s sturgeon marking the third state record produced by the reservoir in a single summer. For many, the sight of a 10-foot prehistoric fish is a testament to the success of long-term conservation efforts in the region.

If you are interested, I can also:

• Provide a list of the best Idaho reservoirs for trophy sturgeon fishing.
• Explain the biological life cycle of sturgeon from larvae to centenarian.
• Detail the specific gear (rods, reels, and line) needed to land a 1,000-pound fish.

Let me know which information would be most helpful for your research.