DCL - Northern Pike

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: Deep Creek Lake

This past Saturday, 5/27, I landed a massive Northern Pike while fishing at Deep Creek Lake on our annual guys fishing trip. I was fishing solo as I was the only person who was able to get up at 5 AM. I was fishing the shoreline on the main lake heading towards the dam. I was approximately halfway between the 219 bridge and the dam throwing a Rapala DT-8 in a crayfish pattern. Just as I was about to reel the lure out of what I thought was the "strike zone", this pike smashed my crankbait. Since the lure was so close to the boat, I got a glimpse of the fish and began to dive towards the bottom. During this time, I got my net set up and was lucky to bring the fishes head right alongside of the boat.

Once the fish was in the boat, he was thrashing around the boat. I took a few photos of the fish laying on the deck of the boat. I was immediately across the lake from where we were staying sto I temporarily placed the fish on a stringer and let it breathe for a bit before I pulled it out of the water to shoot across the lake to show my friends. They were finally awake and rushed down to the water to see my catch. I was so excited with adrenaline pumping that my two priorities were getting a proper photo and releasing this incredible fish. At this point I did not consider the fact that it could be eligible for a citation. I stabilized the fish in the water for a few minutes to let it recover and after 2 attempts of the fish swimming away, it finally had enough energy to overpower my grip and swim away.

Donald received a FishMaryland certificate for this catch. Congratulations!

To see if your catch might be eligible for a certificate and to find out how to submit it for consideration visit dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/FishMaryland.aspx