State trophy programs are fun. What angler doesn’t like receiving some extra recognition for a trophy catch? You’re right — none! Another benefit of trophy catch programs, though, is that they create extra eyes and ears for often underfunded fish and game departments. The data created from anglers submitting their catches offers some insight for state biologists as to the health of a given fishery.

For 2013, the trophy catch program in New Hampshire yielded 4 new state records. Further, many of last years entrants were under 20 years of age, a good sign for the health of the New Hampshire fishing community. Read all about it in this post from the New Hampshire Fish and Game department…

pike_SR_26lb-9.44oz_Kevin_PhelpsFisheries Biologist and Trophy Fish Program Coordinator Don Miller has announced the winners of the 2013 Trophy Fish Program. A listing of all qualifying entries is posted on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s website.

In addition to Trophy Fish winners, four new state records were set in 2013: black sea bass (1 lb., 3.50 oz.; 14.25″ length, caught in Portsmouth by Shane Conlin of Hampton); common carp, bow harvested (41 lbs., 0.04 oz.; 40.50″ length, caught in Hinsdale by Kevin Martin of Hinsdale); common white sucker (3 lbs., 12.64 oz.; 20.75″ length, caught in Center Harbor by Timothy Moore Jr. of Portsmouth); and northern pike (26 lbs., 9.44 oz.; 44.50″ length, caught in Dalton by Kevin Phelps of Monroe, NH).

Photos: New Hampshire Fish and Game