A fresh Wisconsin state record for catch-and-release fishing has been set by Sam Becker, a 25-year-old who works as both a firefighter and paramedic. He managed to hook an enormous muskellunge—the state fish and a formidable predator—in Green Bay. According to reports from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, his prize catch measured an impressive 145 centimeters in length.
Following the mandatory photo documentation, Becker returned the giant specimen to the water, a prerequisite for qualifying in this specific record category. Curiously, the angler initially delayed submitting his achievement for official recognition. A competitor, Greg Matske, quickly seized this window of opportunity, promptly logging his own muskellunge catch measuring 143.5 cm. Nevertheless, Matske’s record stood for only a brief period.
Once Becker finally filed his application, authorities officially validated his measurement, establishing it as the current top figure in the state for muskies caught and subsequently released. This sporting triumph strongly underscores the significance of the “catch-and-release” ethos prevalent in contemporary angling.
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