2018 Trophy Fish Program Winners Announced

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2018 Trophy Fish Program Winners Announced

CONTACT:

John Viar: 603-744-5470

March 8, 2019



unced
Date: 03/08/2019
Author: nhfishandgame
CONTACT:
John Viar: (603) 744-5470
March 8, 2019


CONCORD, N.H. — The winners of the 2018 New Hampshire Trophy Fish Program were recently announced by John Viar, Region 2 Fisheries Biologist and Trophy Fish Program Coordinator. Award certificates, suitable for framing and signed by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Executive Director and the Commission Chairman will soon be distributed to the winners of each species category.

A list of all qualifying entries is posted on Fish and Game's website at

www.fishnh.com/fishing/trophy.html

"The Trophy Fish Program is formal recognition for anglers. It preserves noteworthy catches, not to mention providing anglers with a few bragging rights. Meanwhile, we receive valuable data about different species and waterbodies statewide," Viar noted.

A total of 56 successful entries were received in 2018 for kept and for released Trophy Fish Program categories. Nine of these entries came from anglers under the age of 20, including 11- year-old Titus Webster of Pelham, NH, who won the Released Eastern Chain Pickerel category with a 26-inch long specimen from Gumpas Pond in Pelham. Eight-year-old Cayden Porr of Woodbury, MN, successfully wrestled in a 24-inch Largemouth Bass at Balch Pond in Wakefield, NH, placing second out of the 17 entries for released Largemouth Bass in 2018. Lillian McGrath, a 7-year-old from Bethlehem, NH, went ice-fishing for the first time and successfully iced and then released a 20.5-inch Largemouth Bass.

"Well done," to all the young anglers! And congratulations to this year's lone international angler: Mr. John Proctor from Falkirk, Scotland. His catch was just shy of the state record, having landed an 18.5-inch Black Sea Bass in Little Bay in Newington, NH, weighing 2 lbs., 14.08 oz. Proctor's was also the only saltwater entry received in 2018.

In 2018, seven kept and thirteen released categories were represented. "A number of species categories only had one or two entries. Surprisingly, a number of species were not even represented." Viar noted. "Many anglers just don't realize they can share their catch information, receive formal recognition, a shoulder patch, and help New Hampshire's fisheries all at the same time."

A listing of all entries, application forms, rules, state records, and winners, including past years, can be found at:

www.fishnh.com/fishing/trophy.html