Giant Bass Battle: The Biggest Largemouth Bass Across 49 States

Largemouth bass fishing is a major part of American outdoor culture. Anglers across the country love chasing the thrill of catching a true giant. These powerful freshwater fish live in a variety of habitats, from small farm ponds to massive reservoirs. Stories of record-breaking bass catches are still told around campfires even decades later. Each state has its own legendary bass, caught under unique conditions and often after years of patient pursuit.

These state-record largemouth bass are more than just impressive big fish. They’re a great indication of the diversity of habitats, climates, and fisheries management practices across the country. Such massive fish also remind us of the skill and luck required to land a once-in-a-lifetime catch. This article explores the biggest largemouth bass ever caught in 49 states, detailing the anglers and bodies of water that made fishing history.

49. North Dakota

• Angler: Leon Rixen
• Date: 11-02-1983
• Weight: 8 lbs, 8 oz
• Location: Nelson Lake

48. Minnesota

• Angler: Mark Raveling
• Date: 03-10-2005
• Weight: 8 lbs, 15 oz
• Location: Auburn Lake

47. South Dakota

• Angler: Matthew Dunham
• Date: 04-27-2020
• Weight: 9 lbs, 5 oz
• Location: Indian Scout Lake

46. Montana

• Angler: Brandon Wright
• Date: 04-27-2021
• Weight: 9 lbs, 9.28 oz
• Location: Lake Elmo

45. Hawaii

• Angler: Dickie Broyles
• Date: 01-26-1992
• Weight: 9 lbs, 9.4 oz
• Location: Waita Res., Kaua’i

44. Utah

• Angler: Sam Lamanna
• Date: 1974
• Weight: 10 lbs, 2 oz
• Location: Lake Powell

43. Vermont

• Weight: 10 lbs, 4 oz

42. Rhode Island

• Angler: N. Finamor
• Date: 05-01-1991
• Weight: 10 lbs, 6 oz
• Location: Carbuncle Pond

41. New Hampshire

• Angler: G. Bullpit
• Date: 1967
• Weight: 10 lbs, 8 oz
• Location: Lake Potanipo

40. Nebraska

• Angler: Paul Abegglen Sr.
• Date: 02-10-1965
• Weight: 10 lbs, 11 oz
• Location: Sand Pit near Columbus

39. Iowa

• Angler: Patricia Zar
• Date: 01-05-1984
• Weight: 10 lbs, 12 oz
• Location: Lake Fisher

38. New Jersey

• Angler: Robert Eisele
• Date: 1980
• Weight: 10 lbs, 12 oz
• Location: Menantico Sand Wash Pond

37. Idaho

• Angler: Mrs. M.W. Taylor
• Weight: 10 lbs, 15 oz
• Location: Anderson Lake

36. Delaware

• Angler: Andre Klein
• Date: 02-20-2016
• Weight: 11 lbs, 1.6 oz
• Location: Wagamons Pond

35. Pennsylvania

• Angler: Donald Shade
• Date: 1983
• Weight: 11 lbs, 3 oz
• Location: Birch Run Reservoir, Adams County

34. Wisconsin

• Angler: Robert Milkowski
• Date: 12-10-1940
• Weight: 11 lbs, 3 oz
• Location: Lake Ripley, Jefferson County

33. New York

• Angler: John Higbie
• Date: 11-09-1987
• Weight: 11 lbs, 4 oz
• Location: Buckhorn Lake

32. Colorado

• Angler: Jarrett Edwards
• Date: 09-20-1997
• Weight: 11 lbs, 6 oz
• Location: Echo Canyon Reservoir (Archuleta County)

31. Maryland

• Angler: Colton Lambert
• Date: 07-31-2013
• Weight: 11 lbs, 6 oz
• Location: Huntington Farm Pond

30. Wyoming

• Angler: Dustin Shorma
• Date: 03-15-1992
• Weight: 11 lbs, 8 oz
• Location: stock pond, Sheridan County

29. Mississippi

• Angler: Anthony Denny
• Date: 12-31-1992
• Weight: 11 lbs, 9.92 oz
• Location: Natchez State Park Lake

28. Maine

• Angler: Robert Kamp
• Date: 1968
• Weight: 11 lbs, 10 oz
• Location: Moose Pond

27. Kansas

• Angler: Tyson Hallam
• Date: 03-05-2008
• Weight: 11 lbs, 12.8 oz
• Location: Private Pit Lake, Cherokee Co.

26. Michigan

• Date: 1934 & 1959
• Weight: 11 lbs, 15.04 oz
• Location: Big Pine Island Lake & Alcona Dam Pond

25. Nevada

• Angler: Michael Geary
• Date: 1999
• Weight: 12 lbs, 0 oz
• Location: Lake Mead

24. Oregon

• Angler: B. Adam Hastings
• Date: 2002
• Weight: 12 lbs, 1.6 oz
• Location: Ballenger Pond, Springfield

23. West Virginia

• Angler: David W. Heeter
• Date: 1994
• Weight: 12 lbs, 4.48 oz
• Location: Pond, Grant County

22. Washington

• Angler: Bill Evans
• Date: 08-08-2016
• Weight: 12 lbs, 8.48 oz
• Location: Lake Bosworth, Snohomish County

21. Connecticut

• Angler: Frank Domurat
• Date: 1961
• Weight: 12 lbs, 14 oz
• Location: Mashapaug Lake, Union

20. Illinois

• Angler: Edward J. Walbel
• Date: 02-15-1976
• Weight: 13 lbs, 1 oz
• Location: Stone Quarry Lake

19. Ohio

• Angler: Roy Landsberger
• Date: 05-26-1976
• Weight: 13 lbs, 2 oz
• Location: Private pond

18. Missouri

• Angler: Marvin Russel Bushong
• Date: 04-21-1961
• Weight: 13 lbs, 14 oz
• Location: Bull Shoals Lake

17. Kentucky

• Angler: Mark Ward
• Date: 04-19-2019
• Weight: 14 lbs, 9.5 oz
• Location: Highsplint Lake

16. Indiana

• Angler: Jenifer Schultz
• Date: 05-27-1991
• Weight: 14 lbs, 12 oz
• Location: Seven Springs Lake

15. Oklahoma

• Angler: Dale Miller
• Date: 03-13-2013
• Weight: 14 lbs, 13.7 oz
• Location: Cedar Lake

14. Tennessee

• Angler: Gabe Keen
• Date: 02-13-2015
• Weight: 15 lbs, 3 oz
• Location: Chickamauga Reservoir

13. Massachusetts

• Angler: Walter Bolonis
• Date: 02-13-1975
• Weight: 15 lbs, 8 oz
• Location: Sampson Pond, Carver

12. New Mexico

• Angler: Steve Estrada
• Date: 03-24-1995
• Weight: 15 lbs, 13 oz
• Location: Bill Evans Lake

11. North Carolina

• Angler: William H. Wofford
• Date: 03-29-1991
• Weight: 15 lbs, 14 oz
• Location: Farm Pond, Union County

10. Louisiana

• Angler: Greg Wiggins
• Date: 1994
• Weight: 15 lbs, 15.52 oz
• Location: Caney Lake

9. South Carolina

• Angler: P.H. Flanagan | Mason Cummunings
• Date: 1949 | 1993
• Weight: 16 lbs, 2 oz
• Location: Lake Marion| Aiken Co. Pond

8. Virginia

• Angler: Richard Tate
• Date: 05-20-1985
• Weight: 16 lbs, 4 oz
• Location: Connor Lake

7. Arizona

• Angler: Randall E. White
• Date: 04-22-1997
• Weight: 16 lbs, 7.68 oz
• Location: Canyon Lake

6. Alabama

• Angler: Thomas (T. M.) Burgin
• Date: 03-11-1987
• Weight: 16 lbs, 8 oz
• Location: Mtn. View Lake, Shelby Co

5. Arkansas

• Angler: Aaron Mardis
• Date: 02-03-1976
• Weight: 16 lbs, 8 oz
• Location: Mallard Lake

4. Florida

• Angler: Billy O’Berry
• Date: 06-07-1986
• Weight: 17 lbs, 4.32 oz
• Location: Unnamed lake

3. Texas

• Angler: Barry St. Clair
• Date: 01-24-1992
• Weight: 18 lbs, 2.88 oz
• Location: Lake Fork

2. California

• Angler: Michael Arujo
• Date: 05-03-1991
• Weight: 21 lbs, 12 oz
• Location: Castaic Lake (at the main boat ramp)

1. Georgia

• Angler: George Perry
• Date: 02-06-1932
• Weight: 22 lbs, 4 oz
• Location: Montgomery Lake