THOM BRIDGE

The American paddlefish has been described with many superlatives, both true and almost true. "It's the biggest fish in Montana." The state record set in 1973 came from a 142 ½-pounder caught in the Missouri River above Fort Peck, and there is no fish heavier in the books. Though researchers have documented them tipping the scale at 150 pounds.

"They are the longest surviving species in North America."

There are conflicting opinions on where relatives of the current paddlefish species land in the fossil record. Reports claim evidence of their existence as far back as 90 to 300 million years ago. According to the Montana Field Guide, fossil paddlefish from 60 million years ago have been found in the Missouri River basin near Fort Peck. Suffice to say they are a prehistoric sp

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