The Largest Smallmouth Bass Ever Caught in Washington Was a Freshwater Marvel

Imagine reeling in a Washington state record-breaker, one that would remain untouched for over half a century.  For Ray Wonacott, the angler behind the largest smallmouth bass caught in Washington,  this isn’t a feeling to be imagined. 

On April 23, 1966, Wonacott had been fishing on the Columbia River off Hanford Reach. When he reeled in a smallmouth bass during the day, it turned out to be a specimen that would set a record for decades to come. Wonacott’s smallmouth bass weighed 8.75 pounds, a record untouched to this day in Washington.

Species Profile: Smallmouth Bass

The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is of the family Centrarchidae, which includes sunfish and black basses. Some of its other names that you may be more familiar with include brownie, brown bass, and bronze bass.

It is a large predatory fish that lives in freshwater ecosystems found throughout much of North America. In many regions, it has been introduced because it is a popular game fish. It is native to three main areas: the upper and middle Mississippi River basin, the Saint Lawrence River–Great Lakes system, and the basin of the Hudson Bay.

Typically, male smallmouth bass are smaller than their female counterparts. They tend to weigh around two pounds, while females can weigh up to six pounds on average. 

About the Columbia River

Now that you know Wonacott’s supersized smallmouth bass was caught from the Columbia River, you may be more interested in learning about this spot. The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region. It spans both Canada and the United States, forming in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It flows northwest to a lower elevation before flowing south into Washington state. This river is approximately 1,243 miles long, and its largest tributary is the well-known Snake River.

The Columbia River is home to a wide variety of different species. This includes the Chinook sa.lmon, rainbow trout, channel catfish, and more.