What a Catch: 16-Pound Trout Fished from Lake Poway

Local fisherman Ephraim Draper has spent nearly 40 years on the waters of Lake Poway—and this weekend, he caught his biggest prize yet: an impressive 16-pound trout that spanned 32.5 inches and had a 19.5 inch girth.

The longtime Powegian hooked the trout Saturday morning while fishing onshore between Hidden Bay and Boulder Bay, but because he forgot his net at home, he had to land the catch by hand and wrestle the behemoth for more than 10 minutes. How’s that for a fish tale?

Doug Smith, a Lake Poway senior park ranger, called the catch “unbelievable,” adding that this month there have been at least six trout tipping in a more than 8 pounds—including another 15-pound giant last week.  

This week’s forecast calls for sunny skies and pleasant springtime temperatures, making it ideal conditions to go cast a line at Lake Poway and perhaps reel-in a fish tale of your own.

For more information about Lake Poway or to check the weekly fish report, visit poway.org.