BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County angler caught ten different species of fish in Maryland at trophy-size length and has been named a Master Angler by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Hunt is the sixth Master Angler named since the program began.  Originally from East Orange, N.J., the Sparrows Point resident moved to Maryland in 2011 and is now a retired Army veteran. In 2021, he completed 23 years of military service. He is an active member of the Legion of Anglers, a group that organizes trash cleanups and holds catch-and-release tournaments.

Hunt achieved the award with a tenth confirmed catch, a 24-inch chain pickerel caught February 26 at Loch Raven Reservoir.

“The chain pickerel for some reason has been one of the hardest fish for me,” said Hunt. “I spent countless miles and hours on kayak and fished from the shore at multiple locations throughout Maryland waterways. I caught lots of fish that didn’t make the cut, but on five casts (at Loch Raven on Feb. 26) I caught my tenth official fish for the award.”

The ten species that were caught were: Northern snakehead (34.5 inches), Blue catfish (50.5 inches), Largemouth bass (21.5 inches), Common carp (32.5 inches), Channel catfish (30.5 inches), Striped bass (45 inches), Yellow perch (14 inches), Hickory shad (18 inches), Crappie (15 inches), and Chain pickerel (24 inches).

Hunt is one of three FishMaryland Master Anglers to be recognized by the DNR in the past year, and has expressed his appreciation for fishing as a form of therapy and a connection to one’s mental and physical well-being.

“I have fished all over the world catching various species,” Hunt said. “Fishing is my therapy and is good for mental health and well-being.”

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo: Maryland Master Angler Rashan Hunt holds the chain pickerel he caught at Loch Raven Reservoir. Photo courtesy Rashan Hunt & Maryland DNR.