Maddy Ogg is shown with the new catch-and-release record northern pike. (Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR)
October 23, 2018
By G&F Online Staff
A day that began with a double catch ended with a catch-and-release fishing record in Minnesota.
Minnesota has its first state catch-and-release record for northern pike after the report of a 43 1/2-inch fish caught in early October on Mille Lacs Lake.
Maddy Ogg, a member of the Women Anglers of Minnesota, caught the huge pike Oct. 6 while trolling weed edges in 12 feet of water, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. She was fishing with Mike and Jenni Buckingham on a cold, windy day.
The group caught a double early in the day, a sign of fishing success to come. Five hours later the record fish struck.
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“On the way to the lake that morning, we saw eight bald eagles and shortly after we started fishing, we landed a double – I knew it was going to be a good day of fishing,” Ogg told the DNR.
Ogg picked a great lake to have a great fishing day. Mille Lacs has the reputation of producing pike over 40 inches long and weighing more than 20 pounds.
There are two kinds state records in Minnesota — 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.
Find current records and guidelines for each type of state record at mndnr.gov/recordfish.
