Largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) belong to the sunfish family, Centrarchidae. Their native range includes the Eastern U.S. to the Midwest, extending north to Canada and south to Mexico. Largemouth bass have been introduced throughout the rest of the United States and many other countries due to their popularity as a game fish. These fish are known for their fighting spirit, making the thrill of the catch all the more exciting. Every year, novice and veteran anglers compete to break the state record for the biggest largemouth bass catch. Continue reading to learn about the biggest largemouth bass ever caught in New Hampshire and more.
The Biggest Largemouth Bass Ever Caught in New Hampshire
The biggest largemouth bass ever caught in New Hampshire was found in Lake Potanipo.
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The biggest largemouth bass ever caught in New Hampshire was 10 pounds and 8 ounces and was caught by G. Bullpit. The trophy-sized fish was 25.8 inches long.
G. Bullpit set the record in May 1967 in the town of Brookline, New Hampshire. The unsuspecting largemouth bass that was swimming in Lake Potanipo is not the biggest largemouth bass ever caught, however.
Biggest Largemouth Bass Ever Caught Worldwide
The world record for the largest bass ever caught was 22 pounds, 4 ounces.
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The biggest largemouth bass ever caught was 22 pounds, 4 ounces. The fish was caught by George Perry on June 2, 1932, setting a world record that was officially tied with a catch by Manabu Kurita in 2009. The trophy-sized fish was pulled from Lake Montgomery in Southern Georgia. The record has become one of the oldest for this coveted freshwater species.
World Record Tie
On July 2, 2009, Manabu Kurita of Japan caught a largemouth bass that weighed 22 pounds, 4.97 ounces. Manabu Kurita’s fish was an official tie for the world record of the biggest largemouth bass ever caught. The incredible catch came 77 years after George Perry’s world record. The fish Manabu Kurita caught was a Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The monster fish was caught in Lake Biwa, near Kyoto, Japan.
However, Manabu Kurita’s catch, although slightly heavier than Perry’s, didn’t break the world record because the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules state that a fish must weigh at least 2 ounces more than the previous record to set a new record. Manabu Kurita’s catch, less than 1 ounce heavier than George Perry’s, was not enough to establish a new record, although it qualified for a tie.
Some of the Best Largemouth Bass Fishing Lakes in New Hampshire
Largemouth bass are found near shorelines. The early morning and late evening are the best times for catching bass.
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New Hampshire’s lakes are brimming with largemouth bass, and the best fishing spots are in the Southern part of the state. Early dawn and late evening are prime fishing windows for bass, and you’ll usually find a lot of fish swimming around clean lake shorelines.
Unlike smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), largemouth bass prefer lakeshores, ponds, and areas with lots of aquatic vegetation. Certain fishing spots, like Bow Lake, draw the attention of anglers across the state, so here are some of the best.
Bow Lake
Bow Lake in New Hampshire is a popular spot for largemouth bass fishing. The 1,200-acre lake sits in the Southeastern part of the state. Anglers can enjoy seven miles of shoreline.
There are rocky areas, laydowns, and boat docks to explore. Along with largemouth bass, Bow Lake is an excellent spot for catching sunfish, perch, trout, and pickerel. When you’re done fishing, you can head over to one of New Hampshire’s fun aquariums to spot even more aquatic species.
Conway Lake
Conway Lake in Carroll County, New Hampshire, has 19 miles of prime bass-fishing shoreline. The famous fishing lake is 1,300 acres and sits in the northeastern part of the state. Anglers can also fish for salmon, perch, and trout.
Mascoma Lake
Mascoma Lake, in the West Central part of the state, is a prime spot for largemouth bass fishing. The 1,100-acre lake boasts 10 miles of shoreline. Lake Mascoma has a maximum depth of 70 feet, where walleye, perch, and crappie may be caught.
Largemouth Bass Ice Fishing in New Hampshire
Ice fishing is a great way to catch slow-moving bass.
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New Hampshire is also a great place to go ice fishing for largemouth bass. During winter, largemouth bass are found in Martin Meadow Pond and Warren Lake, New Hampshire. When the lakes ice over, the fish’s metabolism slows down significantly, making largemouth bass easier to catch.
Stay close to the shoreline when ice fishing for largemouth bass. The shoreline is where the bass can find a lot of their preferred aquatic vegetation. Inactive bass like to lie in holding areas with a 25-30 ft range, seeking out soft bottoms.
