Brand New Record Established For Catch and Release in Minnesota
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - A central woman now has the distinction of holding the new state record for a northern pike in the catch and release category. The DNR says 28-year-old Maddy Ogg of Sartell reeled in the 43 ½ inch fish from Mille Lacs Lake on October 6th. It’s listed as the state’s first record holder for Northern Pike in the catch and release category.
Ogg reported catching the big fish on a cold and windy day while trolling the edges of plants in about 12-feet of water.
“I had to reel fast because the fish swam towards the boat, causing nearly constant slack in the line,” Ogg said.
Once it was close enough, fellow anglers Mike and Jenni Buckingham helped net the northern and bring aboard their boat and obtain the measurement that led to the state record.
There are two kinds of Minnesota state records: one for catching and keeping the biggest fish in each species based on certified weight; and the other for the length of a caught and released muskellunge, northern pike, lake sturgeon or flathead catfish.