Angler battles hard to catch massive northern pike, tying Minnesota record

MILLE LACS COUNTY, Minn. – A battle on the ice in northern Minnesota ended with a catch big enough to tie a state record. 

It all started with a fishing trip to Mille Lacs in late January, when Brad Lila caught and released a northern pike that measured 46.25 inches.  

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says that ties the state's current catch-and-release record. 

It took about 30 minutes and some help to get the fish through the ice.