Timothy Hicks of Post Falls has set a new Idaho state catch-and-release record for northern pike, landing a fish measuring 49.75 inches on Lake Pend Oreille in mid-June.
Hicks’ catch, confirmed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, surpassed the previous record held by Scott Blahnik by three-quarters of an inch. Blahnik’s mark, set in 2020, had stood as the state standard for catch-and-release northern pike until Hicks’ recent outing on June 13.
Under Idaho’s catch-and-release record program, anglers must break the existing record by at least one-half inch to be recognized for a new mark. The fish must be released alive and photographed alongside a ruler or known-length object to document its size. Anglers have 30 days from the date of their catch to submit a Record Fish Application to the state.
The catch-and-release category measures fish from snout tip to tail end, distinguishing it from other record categories that may use different measurement standards. Lake Pend Oreille, one of North Idaho’s premier fishing destinations, has long been known for producing large northern pike.
Hicks’ record represents a significant achievement in Idaho’s recreational fishing community and adds to the growing list of trophy fish landed in Bonner County waters.