Maryland Angler Earns Master Angler Milestone Award
Jason Koontz becomes the 35th person to secure the state honor for catching ten different trophy-sized fish species.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Fishing
Live Poll
Do you believe state-sponsored recreational programs offer meaningful value to your community?
Frederick resident Jason Koontz earned the Master Angler Milestone Award from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He is the 35th angler to achieve this feat by catching 10 trophy-sized fish of different species.
Why it matters
The achievement highlights the state program designed to promote year-round recreational fishing opportunities across Maryland. It recognizes the dedication required to track and land a variety of trophy-sized catches.
The program requires anglers to register 10 trophy-sized fish from a list of 60 award-eligible species. Jason Koontz qualified by catching a trophy smallmouth bass in the Monocacy River and a qualifying white perch.
The players
Jason Koontz
He is a Frederick resident who recently became the 35th person to receive the state's Master Angler Milestone Award.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
This state agency manages the FishMaryland program to encourage recreational fishing and conservation throughout the region.
The details
Participants in the FishMaryland program must successfully document 10 unique species that meet specific size requirements to receive the milestone honor. Koontz faced multiple attempts to secure his final qualifying catch before reaching the milestone.
Timeline
October 31, 2026: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the award recipient.
Culture Shift
This award represents the growing push by state agencies to gamify outdoor recreation to sustain long-term interest in local ecosystems. It highlights a move toward data-driven wildlife management where angler participation directly supports ecological monitoring.
Anglers interested in the program can register their own trophy catches through the state portal to track their progress toward the 10-species requirement. Consistent participation helps state officials monitor the health and distribution of fish populations in local waterways.
The takeaway
Achieving the milestone requires patience and a deep understanding of local fishing habits across varied environments. Interested residents should start by reviewing the list of 60 eligible species to identify local trophy opportunities near their homes.
Further reading
Learn more about local recreational opportunities on the Maryland Fishing page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lexington Park Leader.
Live Poll
Do you believe state-sponsored recreational programs offer meaningful value to your community?
