Monster trout snagged in Whitefish Lake

Whitefish resident Craig Candelaria caught a monster-sized lake trout in Whitefish Lake June 3 from an unspecified location. After more than 20 minutes on the line, Candelaria reeled in the 25-pound, 40-inch long fish.

“That’s almost unheard of in Whitefish Lake,” Candelaria said of the trout’s size.

He used a small trout rod and 20-pound fishing line to pull in the monster at about 7 p.m. He credited his fishing partner Joe Courtney for providing the boat and expert guidance.

Candelaria filleted the fish and plans to tan the skin, possibly for a belt.