City Man Catches Record Fish

A Portsmouth man caught a record fish on his way to being named one of the winners of the New Hampshire 2012 Trophy Fish Program, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game officials.

Timothy Moore Jr. of Portsmouth caught a record grey triggerfish weighing 2 pounds, 1.12 ounces and measuring an impressive 15.5 inches in length, according to the state agency.

The winners of New Hampshire's 2012 Trophy Fish Program were recently announced by Don Miller, Fisheries Biologist and Trophy Fish Program Coordinator for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, according to Jane Vachon, the state agency's public information office.

The program gives fishing enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to receive recognition while providing biologists with important information on the state's fisheries over time, according to Vachon. She said all successful applicants receive a "Trophy Fish" shoulder patch. Then, each February, the person who caught the largest fish in each species category is presented with a special certificate. There are 22 freshwater species and seven saltwater species categories for both kept and released fish. All ages and all legal methods of angling are represented.

"Over the years the Trophy Fish Program provides us valuable data on fish populations not normally reported to us," said Don Miller in a prepared statement. "And almost every year, a new state record is reported, which says a lot about New Hampshire's fisheries."

According to Vachon, three state records were documented in 2012. Other Trophy Fish winners are: Andrew White of Vernon, Vermont caught a 30 inch long, 11 pound, 6.88 ounce channel catfish out of the Connecticut River in Hinsdale. Earlier that same month, White had caught a 10 pound, 3.52 ounce channel catfish in the same waters, which measured 30.75 inches. Marc Schloss of Northboro, Massachusetts, caught a 9 pound, 0.06 ounce, 21.25 inch long tautog (or blackfish) in Hampton Harbor for a new record in that category.

Vachon said 2013 is off to a great start with the verified new record northern pike caught on February 16 of this year. Kevin Phelps of Monroe caught a 24 pound, 9.44 ounce pike at the Moore Reservoir on the Connecticut River.

Fourteen categories of "catch and release" species and eleven categories of "kept" fish were represented in New Hampshire's 2012 Trophy Fish Program. In 2012, three lake trout were caught and registered over 20 lbs. in size, quite a remarkable feat.

According to Vachon, of the 83 entrants in 2012, 11 anglers (or 13 percent) were under 15 years old. And these kids are serious anglers! Justin Learn, an 11 year old from Hillsborough, caught a 14 pound, 5.76 ounce northern pike at Pierce Lake to win his category. Thirteen-year-old Drew Dunlap of Meredith just missed the win in the largemouth bass catch-and-release category with a very respectable 24-inch largemouth caught on Lake Winnipesaukee. Nine-year-old Liam Hemmerling of Enfield, ten-year-old Wyatt Lumsden of Milton, and two seven year olds, Katy Nowell of Braintree, MA, and Dominic DeClement of Hollis, N.H., all caught and released excellent largemouth bass from lakes around the state. Samuel Bennett, age 15, of New Boston, caught and released a 15-inch black crappie. Congratulations to all the entrants and winners for 2012. Grab the kids and get fishing for 2013!

A complete listing of all entries, plus links to application forms, rules, records and winners from past years can be found at http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/trophy/2012.html.