STATE RECORD BASS

[Hoffer]

Oh...It was a while back - I thought it was a state record and he let it go. Thanks for the clarification. On a separate note...and not trying to start controversy at all - but I always wondered about that 8 pound smallie state record. It was 64 years ago on West Battle Lake. I grew up in that area and know there is some big smallies in there but nothing close to that size as far as I know has come out since. Its just kind of weird - because 8 pounds is pretty crazy for a smallie. In comparison the state record largemouth is just 15 ounces heavier. I wonder if 64 years ago they had the "system" down right for certified scales and weighing and all that...

[goblueM]

Lakes can change an awful lot in 64 years, so I'm not sure I would use that as my way of questioning a record.

Your point about accurate measurements and careful record-keeping holds a lot more water as an argument, imo

[Hoffer]

Again...not trying to start any controversy. But again my point was exactly that. I cant say for sure...but I dont think that lake has changed that much. I have nothing to support that though. My only theory is that did we hear many 7 pounders or even 6 pounders coming out of West Battle? To then jump to an 8 pounder seems a little odd. Just saying. Dont get me wrong - I think its great the state record came out of there- its in my old backyard.

[beakgeek]

http://www.bassmaster.com/news/state-largemouth-bass-record-un-dunn

This is classic. The guy finds a floater and claims he caught it. He was fishing for catfish, supposedly caught it with a Texas rigged worm that he had just sitting in the water. Said he put it on the floor of his boat after he caught then fished for four hours for more catfish.

If you take a look at the picture of him with the fish it looks like the fins are rotting off.

[Deitz Dittrich]

dummy.. fishing without a lic..

[smallie_hawgin]

Oh...It was a while back - I thought it was a state record and he let it go. Thanks for the clarification. On a separate note...and not trying to start controversy at all - but I always wondered about that 8 pound smallie state record. It was 64 years ago on West Battle Lake. I grew up in that area and know there is some big smallies in there but nothing close to that size as far as I know has come out since. Its just kind of weird - because 8 pounds is pretty crazy for a smallie. In comparison the state record largemouth is just 15 ounces heavier. I wonder if 64 years ago they had the "system" down right for certified scales and weighing and all that...

Hoffer,

from a few accounts I heard, it was actually from another nearby lake..... I have no proof other than hear say mind you... But, I tend to believe a fish of that size out of the other lake rather than West Battle....

That said, when species are newly introduced into systems.... As is the case for Florida largemouth in TX and CA reservoirs, their first and potentially second generations have a tendency to get considerably larger than subsequent generations. So there might be that possibility with West Battle. Not sure on that though. People have been moving fish around for over a century, some things apparently OK, while others of course have been disastrous.

[tolle141]

If I were to place a bet on the next state record largemouth, I'd say either Calhoun or Lake of the Isles. You spend a little time on either of them and you know what I'm talking about.

Smallmouth? I'd put my money on one of the big 3 (ML, Rainy, and Vermillion/Kabetogama) especially Mille Lacs. A few years back InFisherman called Mille Lacs the top place in the country to catch a 5 pounder.

All this walleye talk almost had me confused for being in the Musky board... walleye guys sure seem to be an angry bunch....

[H0LE HOPPER]

Worked a lake hard last year in chisago county pulled out a 7 1/2 pounder know i have seen some bigger ones in there but just another thought!

[rangerforme]

My guess is there is probably hundred+ lakes in MN that hold 8+lb largemouth. Compared to other species bass almost always get released so pressure isn't a huge factor in limiting growth in my opinion. I've seen my fair share of fish that would push the state record in numerous lakes, be it before season or fish I just couldn't catch. Alot of lakes down in south central MN have huge bass, dirty, fertile lakes and they grow in there. Look at results of tournaments on some of those mankato/faribault lakes, 5-6lbers are very common.

[goblueM]

If I were to place a bet on the next state record largemouth, I'd say either Calhoun or Lake of the Isles. You spend a little time on either of them and you know what I'm talking about.

nah, there aren't any good bass in there. just a bunch of stunted panfish and a few small tiger muskies. not even really worth fishing . no sir

[BTL]

Hoffer,

from a few accounts I heard, it was actually from another nearby lake..... I have no proof other than hear say mind you... But, I tend to believe a fish of that size out of the other lake rather than West Battle....

That makes sense to me. We have a cabin just outside of town, and I've never heard of any smallies from WBL, aside from the one record fish. Caught plenty of them at other lakes though.

Of course, the world record white bass was caught in a lake a few minutes from where I live, and as far as I know, no other white bass have ever been caught there.

[smalliehunter]

Worked a lake hard last year in chisago county pulled out a 7 1/2 pounder know i have seen some bigger ones in there but just another thought!

bass season isn't even open

[Craigums]

bass season isn't even open

Lol, What?

[Cecil]

I think he thought he said "last week", not "last year". Im hoping at least...

[smalliehunter]

Sorry guys I got jumpy. Thought it said last week. I hate people that fish out of season