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After catching first-ever muskie, she's hooked on fishing

July 29, 2015 at 5:38AM

Stacie Hassing of Easton, Minn., with a 45.5-inch muskie she caught and released on Leech Lake. Helping her hold the fish is her brother, Nathan Stindtman of St. Joseph. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Stacie Hassing, Easton, Minn.

45½-inch muskie

Leech Lake

Reeling in my very first muskie was quite the adrenaline rush. Fishing has always been a part of my life, but I now can understand and appreciate why my brother (Nathan Stindtman of St. Joseph, helping me hold the fish) spends many weekends on the lake during the summer. I'll no longer be the girl on the boat with a book. My line will always be in the water! (We released the fish.)

(Howard Sinker/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

RARE CATCH: Ryan Porwall of Rockville, Minn., caught this 65-inch sturgeon in June on Lake Kabetogema. He fought the behemoth about an hour, using 8-pound test line, a hook and leech. He released the fish.

(Howard Sinker/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

LAKE SUPERIOR DANDY: This king salmon was caught by Mitchell Winiecki of St Louis Park while fishing Lake Superior with guide Cameron Lindner of Team Crush Outdoors in Duluth.