I caught an angler award fish in my state(PA), the problem is I want to store it since officiating places are all closed now. How's the best way preserve this hog?

Right now I have it sitting in an cooler with ice, but is there a better way like adding water to it?

Just for some info regarding the catch...

Picture of the hog:

Unofficial stats

4+lb

22"

Brook Trout

Angler award program states 2lb+ and 15in+

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/awardapp.pdf

What does the Angler Award Program say about brown trout?

What does the Angler Award Program say about brown trout?

21in and 5lb8oz min, all the sizes are in the PDF I posted

Then I think your fish needs to put on about a pound and a half. By the way, the measurement in inches only applies to fish that have been caught and released.

wow nice fish. well i would say your storing it the best way you possible can. But i have noticed all trout loose the colors about an hour after there dead anyway you store them. you catch that on little lehigh creek? fly fishing or spinning outfit? good job regardless!

Then I think your fish needs to put on about a pound and a half. By the way, the measurement in inches only applies to fish that have been caught and released.

I believe this is a brookie, from all the photos I've looked through it shouldn't be a brown. The Brooks are only 2lb minimum. If I'm wrong let me know

wow nice fish. well i would say your storing it the best way you possible can. But i have noticed all trout loose the colors about an hour after there dead anyway you store them. you catch that on little lehigh creek? fly fishing or spinning outfit? good job regardless!

Thanks, it was done on a spinning setup with a crankbait

I'm sorry, dude, but nothing about that fish makes me think it's a brook trout. You be the judge.

Looks like a native dark brown trout to me as well.....

Jeff

I'm no expert but That doesn't look like a brook trout to me either.

i didnt want to be the only one who said that it looks like a brown too.... but i honestly think it is. there is no orange or redish light colored belly. brookies also have lighter colored spots, usaully light yellow or orange, these are black.

I'm sorry, dude, but nothing about that fish makes me think it's a brook trout. You be the judge.

No worries, that's why im on here

I was under the impression of PFBC's guidelines on trout, which quick identifies brooks with worm-like patterns, which this trout has, and browns having red dots on the quick guide which this one doesn't, though this has white or lighter color on just the edge of its fins, then it points out it being a brown from the few or none spots on the tail.

This is confusing because all the identification charts I look at is pointing to either species. Also found out there was article about Tiger Trout released by the PBFC which is a mix of the two.

that looks like a tiger trout now that you say it. i could post this on a trout forum i am on and see what the guys say if you like. Alot of them are from the Lehigh Valley and if you caught it out of little lehigh they could tell you what they stock there and what they think it is etc.

Also found out there was article about Tiger Trout released by the PBFC which is a mix of the two.

I thought about that too, but I've never actually seen a tiger trout, so I don't know.

that looks like a tiger trout now that you say it. i could post this on a trout forum i am on and see what the guys say if you like. Alot of them are from the Lehigh Valley and if you caught it out of little lehigh they could tell you what they stock there and what they think it is etc.

Go for it, I tried to get on there several times but registration is closed. The creek is Monocacy though

I thought about that too, but I've never actually seen a tiger trout, so I don't know.

I'll bring it down regardless, maybe the official will add more info. My scale is terrible anyway so a real weigh in will be much better, thanks for all the replies so far guys

The best way to determine if it is a brook trout is the leading edge of all the bottom fins will be a bright white. Unfortunately, I don't see that on the picture you provided. Look at the photo that Bird Dog provided and you can see those fins.

Anyhow, that is one dandy trout. Congrats!

Lund Explorer is right. If the edges of the fins aren't white, it's not a brookie. Looks like a really nice brown to me though. Congrats on the catch. Doesn't look like a typical tiger either. They tend to have some orange to them and the fins also have the white edges. I've caught literally thousands of brookies here in Co and I've never seen one that looks like that...CoBass

First of all, great catch Tom.

Your trout is definitely a curiosity because vermiculations (worm tracks) on the back usually indicate a brook trout.

On the other hand, brook trout don't display spots on their head and gill plates.

If the leading edge of all lower fins are white (pecs, ventral, anal) it could only be a brookie or splake,

otherwise I'm stumped.

Roger

That's an ugly brown. A very nice catch.

I got a hold of the PFBC, my local officer stopped by to check it out, confirmed its a Brown with a unique pattern and length of 23".

I also got it weighed at the closest registered weight station, 4lb. I know it seems like a rounded number but thats what they ended up doing

Thanks for all the spotting differences and comments guys, Been very helpful

yep everyone on the forum said it was a trout, some said unusual patterns to. Thats a catch of a lifetime! you getting it mounted?

Congats on a great catch anyway. It's been a long time since I've gotten to do any good trout fishing.

Go for it, I tried to get on there several times but registration is closed. The creek is Monocacy though

I'll bring it down regardless, maybe the official will add more info. My scale is terrible anyway so a real weigh in will be much better, thanks for all the replies so far guys

Storing fish for mounting; keep it wet, wrap it in a wet terry cloth towel and freeze it.

If you are only keeping it fresh, then pack the wet fish in crushed ice and wrap with freezer paper.

You can protect the fins with wax paper before wrapping the wet fish a towel or paper.

Tom

it looks like a brown to me also