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Angler Spotlight

Liu He fishing in Indiana. He's wearing a white long-sleeve shirt, sunglasses, and a red cap is fly fishing along the edge of a scenic Indiana waterway surrounded by lush green vegetation and wildflowers. He is mid-cast, with his arms extended and fishing line in motion. The calm water reflects the clear blue sky, creating a peaceful outdoor fishing experience.
Liu He enjoys a fly fishing adventure along a scenic Indiana waterway, surrounded by lush vegetation and wildflowers. With a clear blue sky and calm waters, Indiana offers prime fishing locations for both beginners and experienced anglers.

Experimenting with Fishing:
Liu He’s Data-driven Record Catches

Liu He, a Hoosier angler, has his catches down to a science.

By Samantha Fain

Many anglers fish because they love the outdoors. Liu He, a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at Purdue University, does too, but he also fishes because of his passion for data.

His detail-oriented approach has bagged him 22 records in Indiana DNR’s Fish of the Year (FOTY) program, in species ranging from gizzard shad to striped bass.

He credits his fishing success to a nontraditional method informed by his academic studies: maintaining a database of every fish he catches since picking up the sport in 2020. He combines his interests in information technology and geography to support his hobby. He has logged his more than 1,500 catches, including not only size and species, but also nearly every variable involved, including date, location, ambient temperature, and water temperature.

He’s first FOTY catch was a longnose gar in 2020. While he doesn’t necessarily fish for records, his database ensures his chance of fishing success constantly improves.

“One day, I catch three fish, and the next day I catch nothing,” he said. “Once I’ve gathered enough data points, I’m able to figure out why (there are discrepancies).”

A collection of fly fishing gear displayed on a wooden dock, including a rubberized hand net, a fly rod, a spinning reel, and an open tackle box filled with colorful fishing flies. The setup highlights essential tools for Indiana anglers preparing for a successful fishing trip.
A well-organized fly fishing gear setup featuring a rubberized hand net, fly rod, spinning reel, and a tackle box filled with colorful fishing flies. These essential tools help anglers succeed in Indiana’s lakes and rivers.

While the ideal fishing location depends on the species He’s targeting, some of his favorites are the Wabash and Tippecanoe rivers, as well as the creeks in Michigan City. He recommends fishing during the early and later seasons, when “fish bite less, but are bigger,” referencing the statistically high-quality months on his spreadsheet.

While He spends much of his time conducting research for big corporations and his lab at Purdue, he also views fishing as a scientific process. “I have some fishing knowledge, so I go to a river and test it, just like a hypothesis,” he said.

Anglers looking for a challenge and wishing to join He in the Record Fish Program listings should explore Indiana’s free state Record Fish and FOTY programs. General rules, submission forms, and an updated list of record holders can be found on the Indiana Record Fish Program page.

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