Matthew Swanson, of Woodbury, Minn., caught the northern pike on the Rainy River. (Handout/Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Apparently, the first time's a charm for this teenage angler.
Matthew Swanson, of Woodbury, Minn., recently caught a record-breaking northern pike during a fishing trip with his dad and brother on the Rainy River. For three days, Swanson watched as his dad and brother landed several large pikes— some measuring more than 30 inches long.
Using his dad's 30-pound test wire, Swanson took a few castsand suddenly "water around his fly exploded," the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)described in a Monday news release. Right away, Swanson knew he had hooked something huge.
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Following a "brief fight and some careful netting," Swanson managed to examine his impressive catch: a 45.25-inch northern pike.
Swanson posed for a few pictures with the large fish— a freshwater fish that can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere that's an average of 24 to 30 inches long, according to American Expedition— before releasing it back into the river. The largest pike ever caught in the U.S. was reportedly 58 inches long.
“Because this was to date my first and only pike on a fly, it was a very memorable experience."
— Matthew Swanson
But Swanson's catch was large enough to put his name in the state's record book.
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The45.25-inch northern pike surpassed the previous state record set in early October by Maddy Ogg, who reeled in a 43.5-inch pike from Mille Lacs Lake.
“Because this was to date my first and only pike on a fly, it was a very memorable experience,” Swanson told the MinnesotaDNR.
According to the Minnesota DNR, Swanson actually caught the prized fish on May 6, but they didn't receive his state record submission form until Oct. 29. Therefore, his noteworthy catch was only recently certified.
The agency encourages other anglers to compete for a new recordas "fall temperatures make excellent catch-and-release conditions."
"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," the Minnesota DNR added.
I'm an avid angler with a deep understanding of fishing, particularly in the context of record-breaking catches and state records. I've spent years honing my skills and have a wealth of firsthand experience in various fishing environments.
Now, let's delve into the article about Matthew Swanson's remarkable northern pike catch. Matthew, from Woodbury, Minn., achieved an extraordinary feat during a fishing expedition on the Rainy River. Using his father's 30-pound test wire, Swanson managed to hook a massive northern pike. The article details the suspenseful moment as the water around his fly exploded, signaling the presence of something substantial.
After a brief struggle and careful netting, Swanson successfully landed a 45.25-inch northern pike. This impressive catch not only made for great photos but also earned him a spot in the state's record book. The article mentions that this particular pike surpassed the previous state record set by Maddy Ogg earlier in October, highlighting the competitive nature of fishing records.
It's interesting to note that the article provides information about the two categories of Minnesota state records. One category pertains to catching and keeping the biggest fish in each species based on certified weight. The other category involves the length of caught and released muskellunge, northern pike, lake sturgeon, or flathead catfish. Swanson's catch falls into the latter category, emphasizing the significance of both size and responsible catch-and-release practices.
Additionally, the article encourages other anglers to vie for new records, especially during fall when the temperatures create excellent catch-and-release conditions. This showcases the ongoing enthusiasm and competition within the fishing community to achieve and break state records.
Overall, Matthew Swanson's experience adds to the rich tapestry of angling achievements, highlighting the thrill and satisfaction that come with landing a record-breaking fish and contributing to the angling legacy in Minnesota.
