Michigan Largemouth Bass Record ? 2024
J.Vincent reply :
I’ve been fishing for bass for about 24 or 25 years. Over this time, I’ve only met a few anglers who claim they have caught 10lb Largemouth Bass in Michigan. I usually say “wow that’s great my best Michigan largemouth is 6lb1oz” When I tell them this truth , they usually do one of a few things:
1) They begin inflating their story by telling me every detail about the alleged catch and by the time the story is over, it sounds so ridiculous that there is nothing left to do but chuckle.
2) or They begin backpedaling and usually say “well it looked like a ten pounder but I did leave my scale at home, but I’ve seen ten pounders and this was very close to 10 if not 10.
3)also one person even told me they ate the fish and didn’t realize it was such a monumental catch : )
Either way , I’ve never met a person in real life, who has convinced me there is a 10lb Largemouth in Michigan, or that Michigan waters can grow a 10lb Largemouth. I’ve seen the state record on the DNR webpage and while there are two entries for 11.94 lbs, one was in the mid 1930s and one in the late 1950s. Both of those were reported before the age of technology and well before I was born. Now I’m sorry about this long post, but my actual question is....Does anyone know the person who caught the state record or heard of the story ? How accurate is the record or record keeping ? And is it currently possible that a 10 to 12lb Largemouth Bass could be swimming around somewhere in Michigan waters ? My gut instinct tells me No but I’d like to know what others think !
CrankFate reply :
I caught bass between 7 and 14 pounds and I stink at bass fishing. For the fish I fish for more often and are much better at catching, where 10 pounds is a true trophy, I’ve never got anything over 6 or 8 pounds. If you knew where I caught the bass in my avatar, it was not close to 10, but you still wouldn’t believe it, either. That said. 80-90% of 10 pound fish that you hear about were closer to 5 or 6 pounds. I carry a digital scale with me, but didn’t have it with me when I got the fish in my avatar last summer, and I didn’t have film in the camera when I got my PB, which weighed on the guide’s scale as 14lbs 2 or 3oz. So you never know, at least 1 out of 100 stories about 10’s are actually true.
A-Jay reply :
I have not seen nor heard of a verified Double Digit green bass from Michigan. May not mean it hasn't happened, just that during this period in time where news travels far & wide in seconds, if it has, that angler should be admired for the self discipline they possess for telling absolutely no one. Other wise, I believe we'd have heard about it.
Also we may see a Michigan Brown bass over 10 lbs before a Green one is caught.
On a seperate note @CrankFate, if I landed a 14 lb GIANT with no record of it, I would need to be institutionalized; and I'm already pretty close as it is . . . . . . .????
A-Jay
CrankFate reply :
On 6/9/2019 at 3:58 AM, A-Jay said:I have not seen nor heard of a verified Double Digit green bass from Michigan. May not mean it hasn't happened, just that during this period in time where news travels far & wide in seconds, if it has, that angler should be admired for the self discipline they possess for telling absolutely no one. Other wise, I believe we'd have heard about it.
Also we may see a Michigan Brown bass over 10 lbs before a Green one is caught.
On a seperate note @CrankFate, if I landed a 14 lb GIANT with no record of it, I would needed to be institutionalized; and I'm already pretty close as it is . . . . . . .????
A-Jay
My wife was there. So she saw it. And there’s a Disney bass guide that saw it and weighed it. It’s all well and good, but I never caught a 10+ trophy fish, of any kind, that I set out to intentionally catch. I was just looking to catch a bunch of LMB in one trip, because they are extremely hard to come by here. Couldn’t even get that right. Caught only one that day.
A-Jay reply :
On 6/9/2019 at 5:49 AM, CrankFate said:My wife was there. So she saw it. And there’s a Disney bass guide that saw it and weighed it. It’s all well and good, but I never caught a 10+ trophy fish, of any kind, that I set out to intentionally catch. I was just looking to catch a bunch of LMB in one trip, because they are extremely hard to come by here. Couldn’t even get that right. Caught only one that day.
I know the feeling.
Only one - but it was the Right One !
A-Jay
Koz reply :
12poundbass reply :
This subject always intrigues me especially since my screen name is 12poundbass. I’m skeptical that a fish that size could be caught but optimistic there could be one. I’ve posted on other threads about the story I’ve heard from two different sources one being a park ranger at a particular lake in West Michigan that the DNR about 12-13 years ago shocked a particular lake and found a state record bass in it. My wife’s uncle first told me this 12-13 years ago, then about 5-6 years ago the park ranger told me the same thing. Hearing these two stories corroborate each other several years apart gets my wheels spinning. I’d assume this fish is long gone by now but I imagine she’s passed her genes on.
J.Vincent reply :
On 6/9/2019 at 10:42 AM, 12poundbass said:This subject always intrigues me
It's a fascinating topic of discussion , especially in a northern state where the record for Largemouth goes back to 1934 and 1959. I personally question the reliability of the actual record, because No mention of fishing method or fishing lure was found in the Record ? and because of the bodies of water the fish were caught in. It doesn't seem plausible that a fish of that size could be caught in Big Pine Island Lake and if any of the records were true I would say the Alcona Dam Pond one could be. I really want to break this topic open and do more research and get more insight from others. My present opinion is, if a Northern strain Laregmouth Bass in Michigan were to grow that large, wouldn't it need to have access to deep water with higher than above average winter water temps (naturally spring fed water maybe) along with a massive forage base.....and what bodies of water in Michigan realistically offer the right conditions ?
TnRiver46 reply :
The right conditions are often when they first build a dam. That’s why a lot of fish records are from 30s-50s. WHen you first flood a river, the fish populations boom like crazy. There’s a dam near here that was built in ‘76 so a lot of people remember it well. They all say the fishing was easy and the fish were huge, then everything eventually balanced out . Our oldest lakes are the most infertile
12poundbass reply :
On 6/9/2019 at 8:35 PM, TnRiver46 said:The right conditions are often when they first build a dam. That’s why a lot of fish records are from 30s-50s. WHen you first flood a river, the fish populations boom like crazy. There’s a dam near here that was built in ‘76 so a lot of people remember it well. They all say the fishing was easy and the fish were huge, then everything eventually balanced out . Our oldest lakes are the most infertile
In Michigan 99.9999% of our lakes are natural glacial lakes. There are a couple impoundments.
On 6/9/2019 at 11:34 AM, J.Vincent said:It's a fascinating topic of discussion , especially in a northern state where the record for Largemouth goes back to 1934 and 1959. I personally question the reliability of the actual record, because No mention of fishing method or fishing lure was found in the Record ? and because of the bodies of water the fish were caught in. It doesn't seem plausible that a fish of that size could be caught in Big Pine Island Lake and if any of the records were true I would say the Alcona Dam Pond one could be. I really want to break this topic open and do more research and get more insight from others. My present opinion is, if a Northern strain Laregmouth Bass in Michigan were to grow that large, wouldn't it need to have access to deep water with higher than above average winter water temps (naturally spring fed water maybe) along with a massive forage base.....and what bodies of water in Michigan realistically offer the right conditions ?
I’m not a researcher but I’d like to see if collectively we Michiganders could dig up more information about these fish, news articles, pictures, or anything. Maybe master angler or tournament regarding other giant bass being caught.
I’ve talked to a few guys who tournament fish Big Pine and they’ve said 6 pound bass regularly and some 7’s come out of there so the gene pool must be pretty good.
TnRiver46 reply :
@12poundbass, oh yeah, I forgot about that. No wonder you have so many toothy dinosaurs swimming around up there
12poundbass reply :
On 6/9/2019 at 9:12 PM, TnRiver46 said:@12poundbass, oh yeah, I forgot about that. No wonder you have so many toothy dinosaurs swimming around up there
That’s what can be frustrating for us northerners is most tips, tricks, and discussions on forums, tv shows, and magazines are in regards to impoundments. The currents in natural lakes are minimal or non existent and water fluctuations are nil. Most of our lakes are featureless bowls. No road beds, house foundations, and rarely a creek channel.
J.Vincent reply :
On 6/9/2019 at 8:53 PM, 12poundbass said:I’m not a researcher but I’d like to see if collectively we Michiganders could dig up more information about these fish, news articles, pictures, or anything. Maybe master angler or tournament regarding other giant bass being caught.
This would be an excellent ongoing project; hopefully we can get some more information from other local anglers !
On 6/9/2019 at 8:35 PM, TnRiver46 said:oldest lakes are the most infertile
I’ve read this before, in an in-fisherman book, I believe lakes are broadly categorized into 3 stages: Oligotrophic(young) , Mesotrophic(maturing) and Eutrophic(end of cycle). They age in that order; but I’m pretty sure the larger lakes in Michigan are still either late Oligotrophic or Middle Eutrophic with some areas of those lakes which are Eutrophic . And from what you are saying when a Dam is first built on a river and new areas are flooded those areas are very fertile, and in the beginning this would actually accelerate Bass growth rate ? I think this makes sense and could be related with the Alcona Dam Pond Largemouth catch of 11.94lbs In 1959, because according to records that Dam was built in 1924.
12poundbass reply :
Looking at the master angler awards for 2017 there was a largemouth registered The was 26.75 inches long, it doesn’t give a weight on any of these bass unfortunately. It came out of Fletcher pond in Alpena county. One thing I noticed is that same lake produced 3 or 4 master angler largemouth in 2017.
2018 Master Angler the biggest was 26.25 inches and the second was 25 inches both came out of Kent county the biggest being Versluis lake which I believe is a gravel pit/man made lake. Again be weights.
A-Jay reply :
On 6/10/2019 at 2:08 AM, 12poundbass said:Looking at the master angler awards for 2017 there was a largemouth registered The was 26.75 inches long, it doesn’t give a weight on any of these bass unfortunately. It came out of Fletcher pond in Alpena county. One thing I noticed is that same lake produced 3 or 4 master angler largemouth in 2017.
2018 Master Angler the biggest was 26.25 inches and the second was 25 inches both came out of Kent county the biggest being Versluis lake which I believe is a gravel pit/man made lake. Again be weights.
FYI First 5 or so Master Angler sized smallies I submitted, I may have been a little less than forth coming as to their actual catch location; spots were small and I didn't feel the need. So there's that.
I don't submit them anymore as I'm hoping my next submission to the state is more note worthy.
A-Jay
J.Vincent reply :
On 6/10/2019 at 2:08 AM, 12poundbass said:Looking at the master angler awards for 2017 there was a largemouth registered The was 26.75 inches long, it doesn’t give a weight on any of these bass unfortunately. It came out of Fletcher pond in Alpena county. One thing I noticed is that same lake produced 3 or 4 master angler largemouth in 2017.
2018 Master Angler the biggest was 26.25 inches and the second was 25 inches both came out of Kent county the biggest being Versluis lake which I believe is a gravel pit/man made lake. Again be weights.
That’s interesting , considering the length of the 11.94 lb state record Largemouth from 1934 and 1959 measured 26 and 27 inches respectively...it really leaves us guessing about the weight of the master angler catches from Alpena and Kent County. Why is it the weights aren’t listed ? and where can I get more information about the master angler program ?
A-Jay reply :
On 6/10/2019 at 2:59 AM, J.Vincent said:That’s interesting , considering the length of the 11.94 lb state record Largemouth from 1934 and 1959 measured 26 and 27 inches respectively...it really leaves us guessing about the weight of the master angler catches from Alpena and Kent County. Why is it the weights aren’t listed ? and where can I get more information about the master angler program ?
MI Master Angler deal is C & R with a Photo.
So there is no weight requirement - just length.
Here's more info
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82441_82447---,00.html
A-Jay
J.Vincent reply :
On 6/10/2019 at 3:15 AM, A-Jay said:MI Master Angler deal is C & R with a Photo.
So there is no weight requirement - just length.
Here's more info
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82441_82447---,00.html
A-Jay
Thank You A-Jay
Mbirdsley reply :
i don't know how much info would be out there really. Bass fishing is finally coming into its own in the state. Bass for along time have taken a back seat to the silver fish, perch, and walleye. My guess is such fish exist but, I think it will come out of either lake Michigan and lake Huron /the Saginaw bay. Fishing big platte in Benzie county over this last week and I saw absolute monster cruising the shallows. id throw to them and they just go the other way. Plenty of people fishing but, another boat and I were the only ones out for bass. Everybody else on the lake was after the walleye. I got some really strange looks when a couple of people asked me how I did and are the walleye biting? I said " I dunno about the walleye as I was fishing for bass and did alright" Starting to see more bass tackle in the tackle stores
12poundbass reply :
I’m not finding squat on either of these fish. Thinking about what @A-Jay said about the master angler deal a picture and measurements are all that’s needed. I wonder where these pictures are? I looked on the master angler page and didn’t see anything about them. The top two bass from ‘17 and ‘18 were close to or longer than the record bass. Were these master angler bass skinny, fat, bug eyed?
A-Jay reply :
On 6/10/2019 at 8:34 PM, 12poundbass said:I’m not finding squat on either of these fish. Thinking about what @A-Jay said about the master angler deal a picture and measurements are all that’s needed. I wonder where these pictures are? I looked on the master angler page and didn’t see anything about them. The top two bass from ‘17 and ‘18 were close to or longer than the record bass. Were these master angler bass skinny, fat, bug eyed?
@12poundbass
The pics are need to be submitted as part of the 'verification' (and I use that term very loosely) to establish Master Angler status and I've not ever seen them published any where. And I may be mis-remembering this - but I think they returned my pics to me with the certificate.
More importantly, especially for the discussion here, none of the MA (Master Angler) submissions receive the type of scrutiny that a state record submission receives. Where the fish must be witnesses & weighed on a certified scale, with affidavits filed and where a state registered biologist must verify the catch (usually means there's a carcass somewhere / at the end of this process).
My point is, using the information published regarding MA catches, may offer some trends perhaps, however, I believe that's where it's usefulness ends. The way the process is structured (or not) it leaves quite a bit of wiggle room for misleading . . . . . .
So put that in your pipe & smoke it.
(Don't know why I said that)
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
On 6/10/2019 at 8:44 PM, A-Jay said:@12poundbass
The pics are need to be submitted as part of the 'verification' (and I use that term very loosely) to establish Master Angler status and I've not ever seen them published any where. And I may be mis-remembering this - but I think they returned my pics to me with the certificate.
More importantly, especially for the discussion here, none of the MA submissions receive the type of scrutiny that a state record submission receives. Where the fish must be witnesses & weighed on a certified scale, with affidavits filed and where a state registered biologist must verify the catch (usually means there's a carcass somewhere / at the end of this process).
My point is, using the information published regarding MA catches, may offer some trends perhaps, however, I believe that's where it's usefulness ends. The way the process is structured (or not) it leaves quite a bit of wiggle room for misleading . . . . . .
So put that in your pipe & smoke it.
(Don't know why I said that)
A-Jay
Must be the rain is getting to you. Lol
Looking at the MIDNR site they are pretty lax on these which is kind of disappointing. A picture of the fish and a picture of the measurement and that’s it. For a state record it’s down right pitiful! The way I’m interpreting the process is you catch the fish take it to a certified scale (it says grocery store) weigh the fish get a record of the weight take a couple pics fill out the application email it to them and congratulations Mr. A-Jay you’re a state record holder. So go down to Bacarac catch a 12-13 lb bass stuff her smelly body in your suitcase bring it up here, go to Wally World get it weighed and BOOM you’ll have your very own booth next to the airbrushed tee shirts at all outdoor shows this winter that have turned into flea markets. ????
Whew! We have gotten a lot of rain haven’t we?
A-Jay reply :
On 6/10/2019 at 9:19 PM, 12poundbass said:Must be the rain is getting to you. Lol
Looking at the MIDNR site they are pretty lax on these which is kind of disappointing. A picture of the fish and a picture of the measurement and that’s it. For a state record it’s down right pitiful! The way I’m interpreting the process is you catch the fish take it to a certified scale (it says grocery store) weigh the fish get a record of the weight take a couple pics fill out the application email it to them and congratulations Mr. A-Jay you’re a state record holder. So go down to Bacarac catch a 12-13 lb bass stuff her smelly body in your suitcase bring it up here, go to Wally World get it weighed and BOOM you’ll have your very own booth next to the airbrushed tee shirts at all outdoor shows this winter that have turned into flea markets. ????
Whew! We have gotten a lot of rain haven’t we?
LOL ~ I'm drawing up the blueprints for the Ark now . . .
The tricky part of the state record verification process may be the hands on biologist requirement.
I believe that may help eliminate the, I caught it last week, caught it last year, caught it in another state, caught it with a cast net stuff (OK, I threw that last one in there for comic relief).
I like to be prepared so at the start of every season I print out the current year state record info and application. as well as the list and contact info of all the state biologists. Who this year happens to be Jennifer Kieitich out of the Gaylord DNR office. She covers Otsego, Emmit, Cheboygan, Charleviox & Antrim Counties - busy lady.
And to take it a step further, I've actually discussed a potential 'weigh-in' with a supervisor at the local wal-mart.
She said - heck ya !
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
On 6/10/2019 at 9:42 PM, A-Jay said:LOL ~ I'm drawing up the blueprints for the Ark now . . .
The tricky part of the state record verification process may be the hands on biologist requirement.
I believe that may help eliminate the, I caught it last week, caught it last year, caught it in another state, caught it with a cast net stuff (OK, I threw that last one in there for comic relief).
I like to be prepared so at the start of every season I print out the current year state record info and application. as well as the list and contact info of all the state biologists. Who this year happens to be Jennifer Kieitich out of the Gaylord DNR office. She covers Otsego, Emmit, Cheboygan, Charleviox & Antrim Counties - busy lady.
And to take it a step further, I've actually discussed a potential 'weigh-in' with a supervisor at the local wal-mart.
She said - heck ya !
A-Jay
Oh I missed the biologist part. When you mentioned it the first time I thought you were referring to MA not MI. I thought the lack of any biologist eyeballs on a potential state record was pretty bad even for Michigan, I guess I didn’t read far enough or overlooked it. My brain is small, my hair is blonde, and I’m left handed so cut me some slack. ????
The rain stopped so I can finally get out and get some fresh air, I was losing my marbles there for a minute. ????
J.Vincent reply :
Okay so where is the actual evidence, information or paperwork that shows: who caught the 11.94 lb bass in 1934 and 1959 ? Who was the Biologist who verified ? Where or how was the Bass weighed ? Where are the pictures ? Why have no other Double Digit Largemouth been reported in Michigan in 60 years ? When some or all of this stuff starts to emerge , I will be more inclined to believe the MI State Largemouth Record : ) Also after talking with my Mom , who was born in 1955. We determined that if the person who caught the 1959 Largemouth Bass from Alcona was 30 or younger when they caught the fish, they could technically still be alive today and/or have children or grandchildren who are alive. So shouldn’t someone have a photo or a story about that catch ?
Mbirdsley reply :
I’m sure you could contact the Michigan Department of natural resources and get the master angler files and than the creel data for lakes you want to research. State record has to be verified on certified scales and than by a biologist. I dunno if you could get away with taking a picture of the fish on certified scales or not.
I would imagine all the master angler stuff would be located in Lansing. The creel data could also be found in Lansing as well as the field offices scattered through out the state. That is where I would start. Could be a fun project
A-Jay reply :
On 6/10/2019 at 11:36 PM, J.Vincent said:Okay so where is the actual evidence, information or paperwork that shows: who caught the 11.94 lb bass in 1934 and 1959 ? Who was the Biologist who verified ? Where or how was the Bass weighed ? Where are the pictures ? Why have no other Double Digit Largemouth been reported in Michigan in 60 years ? When some or all of this stuff starts to emerge , I will be more inclined to believe the MI State Largemouth Record : ) Also after talking with my Mom , who was born in 1955. We determined that if the person who caught the 1959 Largemouth Bass from Alcona was 30 or younger when they caught the fish, they could technically still be alive today and/or have children or grandchildren who are alive. So shouldn’t someone have a photo or a story about that catch ?
Despite living in the day & age of digital and immediate information - I believe that 'the facts' or truth, you are asking and perhaps ultimately looking for, is long gone and forgotten. It may end up remaining that way.
Back in the day (we won't say exactly when that may have been) looking back at those old records was part of the Lore & History of Fishing. As is bound to happen, times have changed, quite a bit. Facts, figures, photo's, video & proof, rule the present day record keepers, very little of which may have been even a small part of what we're discussing here.
In the end, I'm OK with it. If an angler were to catch that magic Mama that would surpass the current 'record' you can be certain that ALL of the proof in the world would need to be displayed - and beyond a shadow of a doubt, in order for it to be recognized as the new state record. I'd love to see it happen, though I will admit to being a bit skeptic in both the validity of the current record as well as the potential for a fish from this state that would be bigger.
Said this before but IMO the 9.98 lb state record smallmouth has a much better chance of being bested, perhaps a couple of times, before a 12 lb green bass shows up.
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
I emailed the MIDNR fisheries department inquiring about any information they may have about these two fish and the couple of Master Angler submissions the previous two years that were the same or longer than the two state record largemouth. I guess we will see IF I get a response back and/or IF they have any further information on them besides length and weight.
redmeansdistortion reply :
There are probably very few double digit bass in our state. The largest largemouth I ever caught was at Spencer Park in Rochester Hills about 25 years ago and it was 5lb 9oz. Outside of that one, the rest were under 4lb. Smallmouth now, I've caught far more big smallies than I have largemouth. I consistently catch 5lb smallmouth all season long and even one or two per year over 6lb.
J.Vincent reply :
On 6/11/2019 at 12:38 AM, 12poundbass said:I emailed the MIDNR fisheries department inquiring about any information they may have about these two fish and the couple of Master Angler submissions the previous two years that were the same or longer than the two state record largemouth. I guess we will see IF I get a response back and/or IF they have any further information on them besides length and weight.
Awesome, I was just getting ready to do more research and email them. But you beat me to it , hopefully they reply back soon.
On 6/10/2019 at 11:53 PM, A-Jay said:I believe that 'the facts' or truth, you are asking and perhaps ultimately looking for, is long gone and forgotten.
Ajay , I agree with respect to the 1934 catch, it’s likely a catch that long ago would not be accompanied with supporting stories and proof but instead are just reduced to fishing folklore....but it would be a shame if there were no evidence or news articles remaining about an 11.94lb Michigan Largemouth caught in 1959....considering hand written statistics on paper and articles in newspapers or magazines about Baseball and other sports go back much early than 1959 and I can think of nothing more American than Baseball and Bass Fishing .....so I still have to rationalize that someone had to care enough to save some other type of evidence supporting the 1959 catch....unless of course it was all a ploy to generate population growth and tourism or some way to prove to the public that Hydro-Electric Dams don’t negatively affect the ecology. (I’m not a conspiracy theorist : ) but right now that is one of my theories, and I’m starting to feel like Ace Ventura Fish Detective : )
redmeansdistortion reply :
Wasn't that record bass from 1959 caught in Fletcher's Pond?
12poundbass reply :
So I did a little digging on my lunch. I didn’t come up with much but a couple names.
William J Maloney is the one who caught the Big Pine bass in ‘34
Jack Rorex is the one who caught the second bass it says Bamfield dam. I look that up and everything takes me to Alvina dam.
Mr. Maloney in regards to the record only brings up his name for the record (no surprise). I did find a Jack Rorex who was born in Detroit would’ve been 34 I believe when fish number two was caught. He moved to Florida later on. He passed away in 2013 (I believe it was) in his obituary it said he was an avid hunter and fisherman, so this could be our guy. He has children who are in Florida. Anyone with Facebook willing to run the ground ball out?
That’s all I’ve been able to come up with so far.
A-Jay reply :
On 6/11/2019 at 2:00 AM, 12poundbass said:So I did a little digging on my lunch. I didn’t come up with much but a couple names.
William J Maloney is the one who caught the Big Pine bass in ‘34
Jack Rorex is the one who caught the second bass it says Bamfield dam. I look that up and everything takes me to Alvina dam.
Mr. Maloney in regards to the record only brings up his name for the record (no surprise). I did find a Jack Rorex who was born in Detroit would’ve been 34 I believe when fish number two was caught. He moved to Florida later on. He passed away in 2013 (I believe it was) in his obituary it said he was an avid hunter and fisherman, so this could be our guy. He has children who are in Florida. Anyone with Facebook willing to run the ground ball out?
That’s all I’ve been able to come up with so far.
Nice work but perhaps this may be more of a January project than a June thing . . . .
Despite the current deluge I mean.
A-Jay
J.Vincent reply :
On 6/11/2019 at 2:00 AM, 12poundbass said:So I did a little digging on my lunch. I didn’t come up with much but a couple names.
William J Maloney is the one who caught the Big Pine bass in ‘34
Jack Rorex is the one who caught the second bass it says Bamfield dam. I look that up and everything takes me to Alvina dam.
Mr. Maloney in regards to the record only brings up his name for the record (no surprise). I did find a Jack Rorex who was born in Detroit would’ve been 34 I believe when fish number two was caught. He moved to Florida later on. He passed away in 2013 (I believe it was) in his obituary it said he was an avid hunter and fisherman, so this could be our guy. He has children who are in Florida. Anyone with Facebook willing to run the ground ball out?
That’s all I’ve been able to come up with so far.
This is really good , so here is where Bamfield Dam is: its at the South East End of Alcona Dam Pond on Bamfield Road. The hydro-electric Dam was built there in 1924, and the Dam may have been known by a few different names.
Mbirdsley reply :
I wonder if Michigan United Conservation clubs (M.U.C.C ) or Michigan out of doors would have any info. For a long time they were the premier Michigan outdoor news source
J.Vincent reply :
On 6/11/2019 at 4:34 AM, J.Vincent said:Anyone with Facebook willing to run the ground ball out?
I don’t get on Facebook much but I can try and do some research through another avenue.
MIbassyaker reply :
The smallmouth record in MI may be one of the most vulnerable state records in the country right now, while the largemouth record may be one of the least.
Not that I've been exhaustive or anything, but I haven't come across any actual report of a confirmed largemouth exceeding 9lb in MI (other than the current record fish) in any of the records I've looked through -- Master Angler Entries, survey reports, MTIFS -- and that would still be 3 lb short of the record. 7s and 8s are rare enough. Maybe that 26inch MA entry from Fletchers got close, but we'll never know (and length-to-weight conversion tables I've seen tend to overestimate weight for most of the bass I catch here, at least)
The Tournament Data from the MTIFS system is worth looking at to get a sense of big-fish expectations statewide.
Reports for the last 3 years are available.
2016
2017
2018
If we look just for fish over 7lbs weighed in tournaments, there were only 9 reported: 1 in 2016, 3 in 2017, and 5 in 2018. Of these, four have been over 8lbs (1 in 2017, 3 in 2018). It doesn't say which species, but about 3/4 of all bass weighed across the three reports are largemouth, and we might be able to guess a few based on the body of water. (I don't believe Jordan Lake in Barry County has smallmouth, so the 7lb entries in 2017 and 2018 are probably largemouth, possibly even the same fish).
I think the stars would really have to align just right for a largemouth to survive enough seasons to reach DD level. The growing seasons are short, and there is always some risk of winterkill in many shallow, eutrophic largemouth haunts. It also doesn't help that the most of prime largemouth waters in the state are where most of the people live, as this means largemouth are probably more subject to harvest pressure from casual anglers than smallmouth are. Largemouth are probably also easier to catch year-round, as they tend to inhabit smaller, easier-to access (and easier to fish) waters. And a bass doesn't need to be harvested to have it's life shortened by being caught, if it is gut- or gill-hooked, handled roughly, kept out of the water too long, or otherwise mistreated in some way.
MIbassyaker reply :
Actually, scratch that -- the catch and keep master angler records have weights, and there are some 9s...and a DD (although it was 20 years ago):
Catch and Keep LARGEMOUTH BASS Houghton Lake On Three 7/11/2004 8:00:00 PM 2004 9.06 24.00 CLINT JOYNER LAPEER Spincasting BERKLY POWER TUBE
Catch and Keep LARGEMOUTH BASS Kalamazoo Limekiln Lake 7/3/1999 7:40:00 AM 1999 10.00 25.50 MICHAEL JAY DOWNEY PORTAGE Baitcasting BROWN LIZARD
Catch and Keep LARGEMOUTH BASS Kalamazoo Limekiln Lake 7/8/1995 7:40:00 AM 1995 9.12 26.00 Michael J. Downey Kalamazoo Baitcasting 7" Power Lizard
Catch and Keep LARGEMOUTH BASS Kalamazoo Mill Pond 7/5/1997 9:45:00 PM 1997 9.25 24.25 MICHAEL JAY DOWNEY PORTAGE Baitcasting Live Bull Frog
https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/masterangler/MasterAngler.asp
So there you go: Go to Kalamazoo County in July with a plastic lizard and you may get a DD Largemouth. Actually, look at the 10 and the 9.12 below: same guy, same lake, same bait, 4 years apart. Catch and keep , so it can't be the same fish...
Also, the lengths here are are 24-26 inches, so those 26+ inch bass on the Catch&Release list look more promising than I thought.
J.Vincent reply :
@MIbassyaker those are solid statistics and it Looks like I under- estimated the potential here in Michigan ! But its amazing, nobody in Michigan has reported a Double Digit since 1999....and of the fish you listed they were all caught in July , and that is generally Post Spawn !
MIbassyaker reply :
On 6/11/2019 at 6:29 AM, J.Vincent said:@MIbassyaker those are solid statistics and it Looks like I under- estimated the potential here in Michigan ! But its amazing, nobody in Michigan has reported a Double Digit since 1999....and of the fish you listed they were all caught in July , and that is generally Post Spawn !
Yeah, they're not spawners, for sure. Beginning of July in Ka'zoo would correspond to about what the in-fisherman calendar calls the "summer peak".
12poundbass reply :
Nice work @MIbassyaker I figured you’d join in on the ‘quest’ we’ll call it.
So a bass that is 24-26” weighs 9-10 lbs in The post spawn season of July, how much weight can she add when she’s full of eggs?
dgkasper58 reply :
On 6/11/2019 at 7:47 AM, 12poundbass said:Nice work @MIbassyaker I figured you’d join in on the ‘quest’ we’ll call it.
So a bass that is 24-26” weighs 9-10 lbs in The post spawn season of July, how much weight can she add when she’s full of eggs?
Big!
On a side note. There probably are a few 10 # LMB and SMB out there. Now to catch em.
SMB is definitely going down soon.
MIbassyaker reply :
On 6/11/2019 at 7:47 AM, 12poundbass said:Nice work @MIbassyaker I figured you’d join in on the ‘quest’ we’ll call it.
So a bass that is 24-26” weighs 9-10 lbs in The post spawn season of July, how much weight can she add when she’s full of eggs?
Well, to be clear, there are a few dozen entries 24" or longer, and most with reported weights are in the 6-8lb range, and more 6s than anything. The longest entry (28.75") is listed as 6.5lb. So weights of bass with these lengths are highly variable (depends on girth, of course) -- we can say a 24"-26" could reach 9-10lb, but that's the high end of the range. Maybe that 10lber ate a muskrat right before it got caught....
BASSnRacks reply :
I happen to see Clint’s dad every so often. I would like to see if I can get the story and some pics from him, as I am curious about this as well. I do know Clint is a very good stick and fishes in the flw. https://www.flwfishing.com/news/2018-08-06-hudson-s-culler-wins-t-h-marine-flw-bass-fishing-league-michigan-division-tournament-on-michigan-s-muskegon-lake
12poundbass reply :
Ok gentlemen I heard back from two state biologist from the MIDNR. The first one basically talked about the smallmouth bass record. He was actually one of the biologist who recorded the Current smallmouth record that came from Indian River. He did forward me over to another fisheries biologist and she was more helpful to an extent. As we all kind of figured there isn’t much info regarding the two bass in question. So here is the email she sent me this afternoon.
Jeremy,
My name is Lynne Thoma and I work in Lansing. I know you have heard from Tim Cwalinski in Gaylord as well. I have been the coordinator of the Master Angler for the last 8 years when the program was assigned to me. The staff member that was here when the program was started back in 1973 has retired. While not all state records have the girth listed, I was able to find those measurements for the bass.
As for the two current state record largemouth bass, there is very little information on them as both fish were caught before the Master Angler Program was started in 1973 and records were not kept back in the 30’s and 50’s like they are now. Here is what I can tell you:
1934 / Fish was caught in Big Pine Island Like, Kent County on June 25th / weight 11.15 lbs / length 27” / girth 25.75”.
1959 / Fish was caught in backwaters of the Bamfield Dam, Oscoda Co on September 5th / weight 11.15 lbs / length 26” / girth 22.50.
Sorry, but this is all the information we have. Those that worked for Fish Division and verified these fish back then are no longer with us so we have no one to ask or talk to. We only have the few facts that were documented and I have shared those with you.
As for the state record smallmouth bass, here is some comparison. As you can see, the length and girth on the largemouth bass was quite a bit bigger which would seem to justify the weight difference.
2016 / Indian River on September 11 / weight 9.98 lbs / length 23.10” / girth 16.9”.
2015 / Hubbard Lake on October 18 / weight 9.33 lbs / Length 24.5” / girth 18.5”
I hope this information helps.
Lynne Thoma
DNR Fisheries Division
A-Jay reply :
Nice work Inspector Clouseau ~
Unfortunate that there isn't more info available.
Really looking forward to seeing one or both of those records falling, hopefully sooner rather than later.
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 8:17 AM, A-Jay said:Nice work Inspector Clouseau ~
Unfortunate that there isn't more info available.
Really looking forward to seeing one or both of those records falling, hopefully sooner rather than later.
A-Jay
The difference in girth between the two yet they both weight the same is interesting to me.
A-Jay reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 8:51 AM, 12poundbass said:The difference in girth between the two yet they both weight the same is interesting to me.
I had them both beat on girth but lacked an inch or so of length.
Made all the difference.
A-Jay
J.Vincent reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 7:53 AM, 12poundbass said:1934 / Fish was caught in Big Pine Island Like, Kent County on June 25th / weight 11.15 lbs / length 27” / girth 25.75”.
1959 / Fish was caught in backwaters of the Bamfield Dam, Oscoda Co on September 5th / weight 11.15 lbs / length 26” / girth 22.50.
If these are accurate statistics ; Is it actually possible a shorter Largemouth Bass with Less Girth could weigh the same as a longer LMB with more girth ? And has anyone plugged these numbers into the mathematical projection equation ? Something smells fishy (in other words it doesn’t add up )
Scott F reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 10:02 AM, J.Vincent said:If these are accurate statistics ; Is it actually possible a shorter Largemouth Bass with Less Girth could weigh the same as a longer LMB with more girth ? And has anyone plugged these numbers into the mathematical projection equation ? Something smells fishy (in other words it doesn’t add up )
The longer bass may have had an empty stomach, and the shorter one may have been full from a meal, full of eggs ready to spawn, or even had weights inserted to boost its weight. Back in the day, guides were sometimes known for putting lead in fish to increase the weight and give a boost to their reputation to help their guiding business. We will never know for sure.
J.Vincent reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 10:12 AM, Scott F said:The longer bass may have had an empty stomach, and the shorter one may have been full from a meal
Yes, I didn’t think about that. The 1934 fish was actually caught late June and probably post spawn while the 1959 fish was caught in early September at a time when baitfish are plentiful in the shallows. So your explanation is most likely right. Thanks !
12poundbass reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 10:01 AM, A-Jay said:I had them both beat on girth but lacked an inch or so of length.
Made all the difference.
A-Jay
Are you referring to your Mexico bass?
umckibben reply :
I'm in Wisconsin but similar bass fishing in my opinion, I've personally seen an 8.5# pre spawn female from a smaller state park lake, I wouldn't doubt there's a few over 10# in the state at certain times of the year, I believe!
A-Jay reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 7:26 PM, 12poundbass said:Are you referring to your Mexico bass?
No Sir -
This one . . .
A-Jay
12poundbass reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 8:08 PM, A-Jay said:No Sir -
This one . . .
A-Jay
Completely forgot about that big girl! She never missed a meal does she.
A-Jay reply :
On 6/14/2019 at 10:18 PM, 12poundbass said:Completely forgot about that big girl! She never missed a meal does she.
Apparently not.
And she did seem to have a particularly strong affection for big spinnerbaits. . . .
A-Jay
J.Vincent reply :
So to summarize:
-Michigan State Record Largemouth is 11.94 pounds.
-A fish of that weight was caught in 1934 and then another of the same EXACT weight was caught in 1959
-In the 60 years since the 1959 record matching catch , only one person has caught and reported a 10lb Michigan LMB and that was 20 years ago in 1999, in Kalamazoo.
-A DNR coordinator said, they have limited information about the two record Michigan LMB because “records were not kept in the 1930s and 1950s , like they are now.”
That’s a good amount of researching , but it leaves me wondering:
a) Was the actual story ever printed or written about in newspapers ?
b) Where are the people who heard the story firsthand and/or remember reading about it ?
c) Could pollution, chemicals or plastics in our waters , shorten the lifespan of a LMB, and potentially be the reason we haven’t seen more double digit Michigan LMB ?
d) or were those Fish absolutely just freaks of nature ?
12poundbass reply :
On 6/15/2019 at 12:27 AM, J.Vincent said:A fish of that weight was caught in 1934 and then another of the same EXACT weight was caught in 1959
It may not have been the exact weight. I know with the world record at least you have to surpass the weight by a certain percentage or weight in order to actually break the record. Either way they were bother very close in weight.
I imagine there’s at least a news article of the one caught in ‘59. I wouldn’t have the slightest clue how’d you’d track that down. Maybe a library or historical society up there? We have the gentleman’s name, like you said he most likely has family around some place. I’m sure things up there are like my small towns around me, best place to get info especially fishing is find the restaurant the old men hang out in every morning, drink coffee and chew the fat (now there’s a small town term). ????
I’d like to see this thing through. I believe we can produce some sort of first hand knowledge or picture of the ‘59 fish. The ‘32 I think given the time and decades passed that ship has sailed.
12poundbass reply :
In case you haven’t seen the current record smallmouth here’s a picture the first biologist sent me.
A-Jay reply :
On 6/15/2019 at 2:04 AM, 12poundbass said:In case you haven’t seen the current record smallmouth here’s a picture the first biologist sent me.
Great Smallie -
But this shows me very clearly, how fish presentation during a photo can make a world of difference.
A-Jay
Choporoz reply :
I don't know about Michigan, but here in Virginia, EVERY time I fish a new-to-me lake, somebody there tells me that shocking surveys there in the last two years turned up 10 pound LMB.....EVERY single lake? Really? LOL
J.Vincent reply :
I wrenched my back and had time to do more research, and found this article from 2001. Basicly it summarizes most of what we already talked about in this Post, but it's a good article and includes an interesting point about Michigan Bass (according to a Michigan research biologist, there is virtually no stocking efforts and the bass here are mostly grown naturally. This reinforces the fact, it requires something special in a body of water to produce a double digit Michigan LMB)
https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2001-06-15-michigan-s-venerable-state-records-pose-quite-a-task-for-flw-anglers
12poundbass reply :
On 6/15/2019 at 4:49 AM, J.Vincent said:I wrenched my back and had time to do more research, and found this article from 2001. Basicly it summarizes most of what we already talked about in this Post, but it's a good article and includes an interesting point about Michigan Bass (according to a Michigan research biologist, there is virtually no stocking efforts and the bass here are mostly grown naturally. This reinforces the fact, it requires something special in a body of water to produce a double digit Michigan LMB)
https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2001-06-15-michigan-s-venerable-state-records-pose-quite-a-task-for-flw-anglers
I thought the same when I saw those records a few days ago but Illinois and Indiana both go further south so warmer weather.
On 6/15/2019 at 3:25 AM, A-Jay said:Great Smallie -
But this shows me very clearly, how fish presentation during a photo can make a world of difference.
A-Jay
It sure does!
brgbassmaster reply :
Biggest largie ive personally seen is a little over 7lbs. i think there is a 10 somewhere swimming around. Dudes in Massachusetts cstch 8s and 9s every yeat and their state is very similar. Now as you know an almoat 10lb smallie was caught a few years back and i def believe one of those is swimming around.
Fishin' Fool reply :
I am late to the party but great job everyone looking into history of Michigan's record bass. Forget about a 10 pounder I'd just like to catch a 6 pounder one day.
related Fishing Reports topic
previous topic
next topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.