Monster Goldfish Lurks in Washington County Lake
By Rod Kloeckner, Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.
New Baden’s Ruth Santel wasn’t looking for gold when she fished Washington County Lake south of Nashville last month.
She was fishing for bluegill, but gold is what Santel found on the end of her hook baited with a red wiggler when she unexpectedly landed a monster goldfish.
The fish weighed 5 pounds, 2 ounces and was released back into the lake after pictures were taken at Simonton’s Bait Store on the shore.
"I’ve never seen a goldfish that big," said John Simonton, who owns the bait store. "Either somebody put it in here or somebody had it for bait. Chances are somebody dumped their old minnow bucket out, it got loose in the lake and started feeding.
"It’s just one of those things if you have bigger water and deeper water and more food, they’ll get as big as they want to."
Goldfish can grow to a maximum length of 23 inches and a maximum weight of 9.9 pounds, although few goldfish even reach half that size. Goldfish are popular pond fish and are the most popular fish to put in an aquarium or bowl.
Simonton said it was the most unusual catch he’s seen at the lake since an angler caught a water snake by accident several years ago. He’s heard other stories, though.
"At Baldwin Lake about 15 years ago, somebody caught a 2 1/2 -pound piranha," Simonton said. "What that was, someone let it loose out of their aquarium, didn’t want to take care of it anymore, then all of the sudden, there’s a 2 1/2 -pound piranha in Illinois."
Catfish tourney at Washington County Lake
Simonton’s Bait Store is sponsoring a catfish tournament at 7 a.m. Saturday Washington County Lake.
Anglers must register between 6 and 7 a.m. Cost is $20 per boat with a 100 percent payout. Two fisherman are allowed in each boat with two poles per person. There’s a six-fish limit. A prize will also be awarded for biggest catfish.
On Oct. 27, Simonton’s Bait Store also will sponsor a crappie tournament. Cost and rules are the same as the catfish tournament. Call 327-9311 for more information.
Meat shoot at Carlyle Lake
The Carlyle Lake Waterfowlers third annual fundraiser meat shoot will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the KVS Gun Club in Keyesport.
All proceeds will benefit the wildlife management area at Carlyle Lake.
The fundraiser will feature a still target shoot (turkey shoot), trap shoot and skeet shoot for meat prizes. There also will be a gun and bucket raffle. Call 749-5336 for more information.
Horseshoe Lake trapping
Six trapping permits will be awarded at a public drawing to be held Oct. 29 at the site headquarters of Horseshoe Lake State Park in Granite City.
Registration will begin at 10 a.m. at the park office and the drawing will be held at 11 a.m. Four permits will be allocated and will be valid from the statewide opening with the exception that during waterfowl season, live traps and land sets only will be permitted. At the close of waterfowl season, all trapping will be permitted following statewide regulations.
The remaining two permits will be allocated to the Gabaret, Mosenthein and Chouteau Island Area. Statewide regulations will be in effect for this area. Beaver trapping will be allowed for all areas through Mar. 31, 2008.
A 2006 or 2007 trapping license or trapper education card will be required to register for the drawing. For more information call 931-0270.
Contact reporter Rod Kloeckner at rkloeckner@bnd.com or 239-2663.