Jason Koontz holds a 31-inch Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead), one of 10 species he caught to earn a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. Photo courtesy of Jason Koontz.
Maryland 2026 - Jason Koontz of Frederick has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch 10 trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland.
Koontz is the 35th angler to secure the award. His qualifying catches, in order, are:
- Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) – 31 inches
- Blue shark – 60 inches
- Spanish mackerel – 22.75 inches
- White perch – 13.75 inches
- Blue crab – 8.125 inches
- Striped bass – 38.5 inches
- Sea bass – 20.5 inches
- Hickory shad – 18.5 inches
- Summer flounder – 24.25 inches
- Smallmouth bass – 20.5 inches
Koontz got his start fishing with his family, who docked a boat in Annapolis and Ocean City and spent a lot of time fishing together. Since participating in the FishMaryland milestone award program, Koontz said he has tried new types of fishing and visited new locations.
One of his most memorable and challenging catches was the trophy smallmouth bass he caught in the Monocacy River. The river is close to where Koontz lives, but he had never fished it or targeted smallmouth bass. Wading in the river was one of his favorite aspects of the experience. Catching a trophy-sized fish of a new species in an unfamiliar location was a unique achievement, but also Koontz remarked that he had never realized how beautiful the river was. Now, he intends to fish there more often.
One of the most difficult species awards for Koontz to obtain was the white perch. He caught dozens and dozens of smaller white perch before finally catching a large white perch that qualified for an award.
Koontz encourages anglers to participate in the Master Angler Program because he found it to be a great incentive to try different types of fishing in Maryland. He is looking forward to taking his young daughter fishing at some of the community ponds and the Youth Trout Fishing Area in Frederick.
FishMaryland is Maryland’s recreational fishing award program. It is a fun way to explore year-round recreational fishing and enjoy affordable, accessible, diverse, and high-quality fishing opportunities. Information on the Master Angler Milestone Award and the FishMaryland program, including the more than 60 award-eligible species, is available on the program’s website.
Fishing licenses can be purchased online or in person at license agent locations. Licenses, fishing tackle, ammunition, boats, and marine fuel purchases fund DNR’s fish and wildlife conservation work.
