My last fish of 2011?

[keithdog]

This may very well be the last fish I catch this year. Todays temps were in the low 50's and so I thought I would drive out to the lake and make a few casts from shore. There is a pier I like to fish from when the water is cold located in the north west part of the lake. I'm not sure how much this walleye weighed but it measured very close to 30 inches. I unfortunately left my scale home. Anyone in here have any idea what a thick bodied 30 inch walleye should weigh? Anyways, it's the largest walleye I've ever caught. She hit a 5 inch Excaliber jerk bait, black back shad pattern. I was tempted to take her home for the fryer but I released her back into the lake. First off, there are not a lot of walleye in this lake and a nice walleye like this I felt should be put back. Secondly, I have this thing that I always do. Kind of a spiritual thing I guess. I always release the last fish of the year regardless of species or how large it is. My way of saying thanks for the gifts God has given us to enjoy in the great outdoors.