It’s official: 20.32-pound walleye is Washington record

FISHING — The whopper walleye caught in the Columbia River on Friday — see today’s story —  has been officially declared a state record by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Following is the official announcement, just posted:

New State Fishing Record:  Walleye ( Sander vitrius )

Caught by John Grubenhoff of Pasco, WA, in Lake Wallula (Columbia River), Benton County, on Feb. 28, 2014

Weight: 20.32 lbs

Total Length: 35.50 inches (90 cm)

Girth: 22.75 inches (57.5 cm)

Fishing method/gear: Trolling in 22 feet of water upstream along a current break at 0.8 mph and using a Rapala® J-13 lure 6 feet behind a 2 oz. “bottom walker” weight.

Conditions: Sunny, but with a cold front coming in the next day. Water temperature: 37.2 degrees; air temperature: upper 40s.

Species description: Walleye are extremely popular sport fish everywhere they occur, and are known for their exquisite flavor. They are native to the Midwest United States and were first identified in Washington about 1960 in Banks Lake. They have since spread throughout the Columbia Basin and the Columbia River from Lake Roosevelt, downstream to near Longview. Washington is known nationwide for its walleye fishing.

Previous record: Taken Feb. 5, 2007 in Lake Wallula (Columbia River) by Mike Hepper of Richland, WA

Weight:            19.3 lbs

Total Length:   33.7 inches

Girth:                22.2 inches