Minnesota has a new state record lake sturgeon so large that anglers had to drill five holes to fit the 6 1/2 foot long fish through the St. Croix River ice. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has certified the fish as a state catch-and-release record.

Early on in the effort to catch the fish on Feb. 9, record holder Darren Troseth knew he had something special on the line.

"I've seen a lot of big sturgeon in my life, but I was stunned when I got a look at it," Troseth said.

Troseth and his fishing companion, John Kimble, were ice fishing on the St. Croix near Bayport. To get aw...