Imagine a serene day on the Mississippi River turning into a thrilling encounter with a creature boasting enormous bear-like claws! That’s precisely what happened to a mother and daughter during a seemingly ordinary fishing trip. Out enjoying a peaceful day near Brainerd, Minnesota, Shala Holm and her daughter Avery had an unexpected visitor beneath their kayak.

They managed to snap some photos of the huge creature

As they floated along, Avery’s ears perked up at the sound of breathing. Their curiosity soon turned to astonishment when they realized it came from a gigantic snapping turtle making its way toward their kayak. While the prospect of a fearsome water monster might send chills down one’s spine, it was swiftly identified as one of nature’s fascinating reptiles—an ancient snapping turtle known for its incredible bite strength.

Shala vividly recounted the experience, “My daughter nudged me, saying she heard something breathing, which made me pause. Before long, we spotted a turtle’s nose poking above the water, drifting our way. The sheer size baffled us as it gradually revealed itself.”

The turtle wasn’t just a casual onlooker. It became part of the day’s adventure by hooking its claws onto their fishing basket, much to the onlookers’ delight and slight fright. Shala estimated the turtle to be an impressive 29 inches across, a testament to its substantial size.

Reflecting on the moment, 67-year-old Shala expressed that, “Some folks wanted to know if I was scared. Given that I am somewhat larger than him and hopefully a tad wiser, it seems daft now. However, being so up-close in a kayak, I was uncertain about his intentions with our catch and if he wished to join us aboard!”

The vivid tale continued as Shala recalled the turtle’s persistent grip on the fishing basket, making her wary about fetching their catch while worrying about a potential tug-of-war with nature’s underbelly guardian.

Fortunately, after a struggle, Shala and Avery managed to set themselves free from their unexpected guest and retreated, hearts pumping with adrenaline. “Once my nerves settled a tad, I managed to take a few pictures of the turtle. It was jaw-dropping to witness its legs outstretched—and those nails! My fist barely matched the size of its feet,” Shala described.

With the thrill of the encounter still fresh, they returned the following day to ensure they’d captured the moment and shared the photos with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The encounter provided an educational twist, as they learned the turtle was possibly around 15 years old. The snapping turtle’s longevity intrigued Shala, as it is quite possible to encounter this underwater giant again since these reptiles can live well over a century.

For Shala and Avery, the escapade has more than etched a memorable day on their fishing chronicles—it’s instilled in them an appreciation for the wonders (and surprises) of nature with a hope to be graced again by such a magnificent creature, proving once more the Mississippi River’s endless stories and surprises.