Fisherman captures ancient-appearing fish, sets new state record

An Indiana man catches fish whose ancestors swam alongside dinosaurs from his kayak.

Fisherman captures ancient-appearing fish, sets new state record
Fisherman captures ancient-appearing fish, sets new state record

In Fort Wayne, Indiana, a man on Rivir Lake in Chain O'Lakes State Park caught a large spotted gar to break the state fishing record.

According to a press release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Kyle Hammond caught a 9-pound, 11-ounce gar.

Hammond reeled in a fish using a spinning rod and reel with a white zoom fluke while in his kayak.

According to the release, glacial lake surveys conducted by Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologists have found Gar in shallow water around vegetation in 71% of the cases.

Gar fish caught in Indiana to break state record
Kyle Hammond set another Indiana state record after catching a spotted gar. (Indiana Department of Natural Resources)

In just 20 minutes, Hammond allegedly established a new record during his fishing trip.

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, gar are elongated, cylindrical fish with long mouths that move slowly unless they are trying to catch food.

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, these fish are primitive and their ancestors swam alongside dinosaurs, dating back to 65-100 million years ago.

As part of his hobby, the Hoosier angler recorded the entire catch on video and shared it on his YouTube channel, Indiana Kayak Fishing Journal.

In just five days, Hammond's YouTube video featuring his catch has attracted over 2,300 views.

spotted gar
The Indiana state fishing record for the spotted gar was recently broken (actual fish caught by Hammond not pictured). The fish's ancestors swam with the dinosaurs, according to wildlife officials. (iStock)

Hammond holds another state fish record.

In 2021, while fishing on the Wabash River, he caught a 2-pound, 5.6 ounce shortnose gar.

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Users responded to Hammond's latest catch by commenting on his YouTube video.

One man remarked, "That's a really nice gar! I've always wanted to catch one of those! I just started kayak fishing and made my kayak fishing video on my channel. I love watching yours! Keep up the good work."

spotted gar
Hammond caught the 9-pound, 11-ounce spotted gar while doing some kayak fishing on Rivir Lake in Chain O’Lakes State Park in Indiana. (Indiana Department of Natural Resources/Miropa/iStock)

"Kyle, I know how much effort you put into catching that fish. Well done," said another man.

"Congrats on the 2nd state record," another user added.

A man stated that he was fishing in Chain O Lakes recently and observed some large creatures swimming past him. He expressed his happiness that the individual who caught the big one was able to do so.

In 2017, a 6-pound, 12.5-ounce species set the previous Indiana fishing record, but this was surpassed in 2021 by Hammond's 9-pound spotted gar.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the IDNR and Hammond for comment.

by Ashley DiMella

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