Bowfisherman Breaks South Dakota Brown Trout Record

Ty Smith broke the South Dakota bowfishing record for brown trout with this 6-pound, 12-ounce fish. (Photo courtesy of South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks.)

South Dakota has announced a new state bowfishing record for brown trout, but not everyone is congratulating the bowfisherman on his accomplishment.

“New state record alert!” South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks exclaimed via social media. “Ty Smith broke a record in the ‘bowfishing’ category with this 6lb, 12oz brown trout out of Lake Oahe. Congratulations, Ty!”

According to USA Today, the negative comments are primarily coming from some fly anglers who claim a trophy-sized trout should be returned to the water. But bowfishing for game fish is legal in South Dakota, though shooting hours and length and bag limits apply. South Dakota maintains hook-and-line records separately from bowfishing records, which are part of a larger category described as “unrestricted records” that include spearing, snagging, and bow-and-arrow.“

Despite the criticism of Smith, many social media followers were supportive, congratulating him on a trophy fish that should be great eating. The South Dakota hook-and-line record for brown trout stands at 24 pounds, 8 ounces, for a fish caught (and kept) at Canyon Lake in 1990.