Ryan Pierce Lands New Minnesota Steelhead Record

Minnesota Fish and Wildlife verified a 33-inch steelhead caught in August as a new state catch-and-release record.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Fishing

Large silver steelhead trout just below the surface over gravel in a cold, clear northern river riffle, with birch-lined banks and conifer forest behind. — Ryan Pierce of Bloomington caught a 33-inch steelhead in August, and Minnesota Fish and Wildlife verified it as a new state catch-and-release record on Monday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Ryan Pierce of Bloomington caught a 33-inch steelhead in August, and Minnesota Fish and Wildlife verified it as a new state catch-and-release record on Monday. The fish broke the previous record set by 12-year-old Sadie Spatafore.

Why it matters

The verified catch sets a new benchmark for steelhead catch-and-release in Minnesota, reflecting the species' growing presence in the state's fishing records. Official verification ensures the record is recognized under the state's fishing standards.

The record fish measured 33 inches, three inches longer than the previous 30-inch record. Spatafore's earlier catch had beaten her older sister's record by 1.5 inches.

The players

Minnesota Fish and Wildlife

The state agency responsible for managing Minnesota's fish and wildlife resources and verifying angling records.

Ryan Pierce

A Bloomington angler who set the new Minnesota steelhead catch-and-release record.

Sadie Spatafore

A 12-year-old Maple Grove angler who held the previous state steelhead record before it was broken.

The details

Pierce caught the steelhead on 10-color leadcore line with a standard Moonshine Lures RV Bloody Nose spoon. The previous record was taken from the Stewart River in Lake County in May.

May: Sadie Spatafore of Maple Grove catches the previous 30-inch record steelhead in the Stewart River.
August: Ryan Pierce of Bloomington catches the 33-inch steelhead.
Monday: Minnesota Fish and Wildlife verifies the new record.

Culture Shift

Pierce's record follows Sadie Spatafore's May catch, which had itself beaten her older sister's mark by 1.5 inches. The back-and-forth among young Minnesota anglers in the steelhead category shows how quickly catch-and-release benchmarks are being raised.

Anglers hoping to match the new benchmark can use catch-and-release steelhead methods in Minnesota waters. The record shows that leadcore line and spoon presentations remain effective for targeting large steelhead.

The takeaway

Verified records depend on official confirmation, so anglers planning a record submission should document catches carefully. Catch-and-release records reward both skill and gear choice.