A Burtonsville angler has reached one of Maryland’s top recreational fishing milestones, earning recognition after years of dedication, learning, and persistence.
Hien Tram, a Burtonsville resident, has been named a FishMaryland Master Angler by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) after catching 10 different species of fish at trophy size across the state. He becomes just the 30th person to achieve the designation since the program began in 2019.
According to the DNR, Tram’s journey to the milestone spans roughly three decades. A self-taught fisherman, he built his knowledge through observation, time on the water, and studying techniques through videos and fishing publications. His passion began during his high school years, when he and his friends would fish local waters, sometimes prioritizing time at the water over time in the classroom.
Fishing has remained a constant ever since, driven by what Tram describes as the endless opportunity to learn. That mindset ultimately helped him take on the Master Angler challenge after discovering the FishMaryland program in spring 2024. While he had already landed several trophy-sized catches in previous years, they did not qualify without proper documentation, which requires photos with a measuring tape.
Rather than looking back, Tram focused forward, methodically targeting qualifying species and refining his approach. Among the most challenging pursuits was catching and releasing red drum from shore, which required extensive research and travel to Maryland’s lower Eastern Shore. That effort paid off with a 49-inch red drum, his favorite catch among the group.
Tram primarily fishes from shore, adding another layer of difficulty to a challenge many anglers pursue by boat. His accomplishment reflects both patience and adaptability, qualities that have defined his approach over the years.
His qualifying catches included carp (30.5 inches), northern snakehead (32 inches), hickory shad (18.5 inches), striped bass (42 inches), blue crab (8.25 inches), spotted seatrout (26.5 inches), kingfish (14.5 inches), red drum (49 inches), white perch (13 inches, and chain pickerel (24 inches).
Now part of a small and growing group of Master Anglers in Maryland, Tram encourages others to take the first step. “You can’t catch fish if you’re sitting at home thinking about it,” he said.
