World Record Walleye Through The Ice A Roman Catholic priest broke the provincial record for walleye by .24 pounds with a 18.30-pound catch January 4, 2005. The previous Saskatchewan record walleye, at 18.06 pounds, was caught and released on Tobin Lake in 1997. This is a world record for ice fishing. Father Mariusz landed his trophy while ice fishing alone in his ice shack on Tobin Lake at around 5 p.m., Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 4. But there's still more. The fish was caught on a "diamond spinner" about one mile from the Resort Village of Tobin Lake where Fr. Mariusz also has a cabin. The trophy was landed over a submerged island called Birch Island where some of the old-timers used to log trees, says Silver Tip Outfitters' owner Garry Debienne. "Father Mariusz deserves the record," said Debienne. "He has paid is dues. He's out there fishing in all kinds of weather." Debienne says the new trophy walleye will only add to the notoriety that Tobin Lake -- according to "Walleye Insider" and "In-Fishermen" magazines -- continues to be the top walleye fishery in North America. Debienne also believes there is a Canadian record walleye out there in Tobin Lake. "You land one full of eggs and you've got a new record," he adds.

The Canadian record walleye, caught in Niagara River in Ontario, currently stands at 22 pounds, 4 ounces. The new Saskatchewan record walleye has a girth of 22.5 inches and measures 36.5 inches long. It is believed Father Mariusz's walleye is the only one caught while ice fishing. All other Tobin Lake provincial records for walleye were realized in open water. World Record Walleye