Tench

On August 11th, Riley caught and released a 20.5-inch tench from Lake Coeur d'Alene, establishing a new Idaho catch-and-release state record.

That fish was big enough to beat out the previous record of 19 inches set by Mike Nudermacher in 2020, also from Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Tench are a freshwater species native to Europe and Western Asia that have been introduced to waters in parts of North America, including Idaho.

A cousin to the common carp, they are from a different genus and known for their abilities to survive waters with very low dissolved oxygen.

Recognized by their olive green to golden coloration and small red eyes, tench can grow to impressive sizes and provide anglers with a unique fishing opportunity.