New York Angler Lands Record Brook Trout in the Adirondacks

iSportsman Staff

A northern New York fisherman has landed himself a place in the state record books after reeling in the biggest brook trout ever caught in New York waters.

On July 5, 2025, Benjamin Ferguson of Lowville hooked a massive 22-inch, six-pound three-ounce brook trout while trolling with a Lake Clear Wabbler in the remote waters of the St. Regis Canoe Area. His catch edged out the previous state record—set in 2013—by just three ounces, making it the new benchmark for brook trout in the Empire State.

“This new State record brook trout is particularly special given our commitment to advancing the conservation of this iconic species,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “Benjamin Ferguson’s record-setting catch further highlights this unique resource, which only the Adirondacks can provide.”

Ferguson submitted his fish through the DEC’s revamped Angler Achievement Awards Program, which tracks notable catches across 40 species. The updated program allows anglers to enter catches directly from their phones, part of a broader push by the state to promote outdoor activity through Governor Kathy Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative.