I've done some reading on the state regulations. To let you know, I commend this fisherman - he marked off the length on the side of the boat to see if it was close to the existing state record. The state fishing guide lists three lengths/weights per species - 1) catch and release 2) catch and keep 3) existing state record. It goes on to read that the only way to contest the existing state record is to catch and keep the fish. It must be submitted to a DNR office for testing (whereas catch and keep master angler patches can be taken to a meat market for weight verification). Therefore, to challenge the existing state record - the fish had to be destroyed.
This was in the comments under article.