Why this huge northern pike will not set a Minnesota fishing record

Check out this lunker that angler Jacob Skarloken caught on a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area last month.

Why it matters: At more than 47 inches, the fish would've "shattered" the state's length record for a northern pike, Skarloken told Axios.

Yes, but: His party of five didn't take photos of their measurements, so the DNR can't recognize the record , as Outdoor Life first reported .

What they're saying: "The record was the furthest thing from our mind," said Skarloken, an avid outdoorsman who owns a tile business in the Brainerd Lakes area.

• Now, "I want that fish just to get the recognition that it deserves … It was a monster."

What happened: Skarloken dropped his jig in the water at a favorite spot on Crooked Lake — "We call it the honey hole" — and got a hit within seconds.

• After racing to the bottom at first, and staying put for about 10 minutes, the fish started running, basically towing his solo canoe along.
• His dad and brother-in-law paddled into the fight, holding his canoe. It took 20 minutes total for Skarloken to reel in the fish — which was heavy enough to bend the handle of his brother-in-law's net.

The intrigue: Skarloken was rigged for much smaller catches. He reeled in a fish that he estimated was at least 32 pounds — on just six-pound test fishing line.

• "That's almost more of an incredible story to land a fish like that on that kind of gear," Skarloken added, noting that without his dad and brother-in-law's help, it would've been difficult to make the catch.

What's next: Skarloken released the fish, but he's having a replica made.

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