Looking Back: Trophy Pike Caught in Local Lake
By angelamontana

Posted: April 27, 2023

Do you remember this article about a whopper of a pike by the Seeley Swan Pathfinder?  What a cool catch from a few years ago!

Photo provided Seven-year-old Jimmy Zander pictured with two, five-pound rainbow trout caught out of Seeley Lake in 1982 while fishing with his father Charlie.

Jimmy Zander of Potomac has been fishing for a “wall hanger” even since he can remember. After his father Charlie got a 24.5 pound northern pike on Lake Upsata in 1996, he’s been trying to beat him. The day finally arrived on a solo trip to an area lake after work Monday, March 26. He landed a 47-inch, 33 pound, 8 ounce northern pike.

The first fish on was a four-pound northern pike. After landing that one, Zander looked out and his tip-up was up.

“It was really zinging,” said Zander “I set the hook on it and knew it was a big one by the way it was taking the line that fast.”

Feature photo provided: Jimmy Zander pulled this 47-inch, 33.5 pound northern pike through the ice March 26 using a tip-up baited with smelt. If certified, it may set a new record for the lake.
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