Burtonsville man earns ‘Master Angler Award,’ Maryland’s highest fishing honor

A Burtonsville resident was recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a master angler, one of the state’s highet honors bestowed upon fisherman, for catching 10 different species of fish at trophy size in the state.

Hien Tram is the 30th person to earn this milestone honor, under FishMaryland, a statewide program offering yearround opportunities for fishing enthusiasts to build community. The program began in 2019.

Tram has been fishing for 30 years and primarily fishes from shore, according to an April 28 announcement by the Natural Resources Department. He is a self-taught angler who credits his fishing knowledge “to watching and learning from other anglers, YouTube videos and magazine articles,” according to a statement.

“There is always something new to learn,” Tram stated. A 49-inch red drum was his favorite award catch, he said.

Tram began fishing locally with friends while he was in high school. He admitted to “even occasionally skipping school to fish with handlines.”

A list of fish he caught that qualified him for the state award, include:

1. Carp – 30.5 inches
2. Chesapeake Channa – (northern snakehead) – 32 inches
3. Hickory shad – 18.5 inches
4. Striped bass – 42 inches
5. Blue crab – 8.25 inches
6. Spotted seatrout – 26.5 inches
7. Kingfish – 14.5 inches
8. Red drum – 49 inches
9. White perch – 13 inches
10. Chain pickerel – 24 inches

Photo above courtesy of Hien Tram