It's a crisp winter day out on Oneida Lake, and Parker from Sodus is out with his friend Bobby, and they are fishing and enjoying each other's company. When suddenly, the day turns out to be anything but ordinary!

Parker a 15-year-old fishing fan, hooks the catch of a lifetime - a whopping 42-inch, 18 lb. muskie. And this isn't your regular fish; it's what some call a 'unicorn' muskie, with its massive size.

As Parker hauled in the big fella, the scene was nothing short of magical. In fact, Bobby's dad couldn't believe his eyes! The excitement in Parker's voice elevates as he watches the muskie swim back into the depths of the lake. This was a moment that will last a lifetime.

This muskie isn't your run-of-the-mill fish. Experts have confirmed it, it's a pure Great Lakes muskie, which is a rare find indeed. The fact that it found its way into Oneida Lake is icing on the cake.

Here is the video of Parker letting the muskie go back home, as it barely squeezes through the hole in the ice. The whole ordeal left everyone in awe, proving that sometimes, magic can happen at anyplace at anytime.

A young angler's run-in with a legendary fish, adds sparkle to an already adventurous day out on the icy waters. Who knows, maybe your next fishing trip can lead you to your very own 'unicorn' fish - the wonders of the great outdoors never cease to amaze!  You can read about young Parker's adventure here.

New York State Free Fishing Days 2025

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the return of New York State's free fishing days for 2025. There are other programs offered like a rod loaner program and a learn to fish program. The license requirement will be waived for freshwater fishing on the following dates:

Gallery Credit: Canva

Out of State Fishing License Revenue By State

Captain Experiences researched U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2024 data to rank fishing destinations by non-resident license sales in 2022, factoring revenue in for ties. For complete methodology, see the link in the #1 entry. Now let's countdown to the State that generates the most dollars from out-of-state fishing licenses.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

 

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