David Hayes holds his world record smallmouth bass taken from Dale Hollow Reservoir in 1955.

Welcome to “The Big Bass Podcast” list of state record smallmouth bass — the most up-to-date list you’ll find all in one place. We regularly update this list, but occasionally we may lag behind a new record catch by a couple of days. If you believe our list needs to be updated, let us know by emailing us at contact@thebigbasspodcast.com. Keep in mind that just because someone says they’ve caught a new record, it’s not official until recognized by that state’s record-keeping authority. This may take days, weeks, or even months.

Our list is more than just weights, names, and locations. We add information where we can properly substantiate it. If you can fill in some of the gaps, we’d love to hear from you at contact@thebigbasspodcast.com. Be prepared to provide your sources! We generally do not amend or add to our records based on the report of just one source unless we know it’s completely reliable and authoritative … like “The Big Bass Podcast!”

This is a map of the State Record Smallmouth Bass as they stand on 30 June 2023. Note that the states Alaska, Florida and Louisiana do not have smallmouth bass records. Image Terry Battisti.
State Record Smallmouth Bass
State
Weight
Length, in
Girth, in
Date
Water
Angler
Lure/Bait
Authority
Alabama
10-08
10/8/1950
Lake Wheeler
Smith, Owen F

Link
Alaska
Not Applicable
Arizona
7lb 0.96 oz
22.75
3/18/1988
Roosevelt Lake

Barnhill, Dennis K.

Link
Arkansas
7-05
4/1/1969
Bull Shoals
Dickerson, Acie

Link
California
9-13
24.75
18.5
7/3/2007
Lake Pardee
Hardin, Harold

Link
Colorado
6.69
2011
Aurora Reservoir
Ong, Raymond

Link
Connecticut
7-12
1995
Shenipsit Lake
Bonan, James

Link
Delaware
4lb 15.5oz
5-29-1989
Brandywine Creek
Proffitt, Jerry
Jig-n-Pig

Link
Florida
Not Applicable
Georgia
7-02
3/28/1973
Lake Chatuge
Hall, Jack

Link
Hawai'i
4.98 lbs
2/7/2004
Secret Location
Boteilho, Chad

Link
Idaho
9.72 lbs
23.75
20.5
10/28/2006
Dworshak Reservoir
Steigers, Dan

Link
Illinois
7-03
22.25
16.5
10/14/2019
Lake Michigan
Capilupo, Joseph

Link
Indiana
7-04
10/25/1992
Twin Lake
Yoder, Dana

Link
Iowa
7-12
Sept 1990
West Okoboji Lake
Gray, Rick

Link
Kansas
6.88 lbs
21.5
4/4/2010
Milford Reservoir
Evans, Frank Jr.

Link
Kentucky*
11-15
27
21.67
7/9/1955
Dale Hollow
Hayes, David
Bomber 609

Link
Louisiana
Not Applicable
Maine
8-00
1970
Thompson Lake
Dyer, George

Link
Maryland
8.2 lbs
10/4/1974
Liberty Reservoir
Peters, Gary

Link
Massachusetts
8-02
22
1991
Wachusett Reservoir
Sasen, Barbara

Link
Michigan
9.98
23.1
9/11/2016
Indian River
Kreamer, Robert B.
Nightcrawler

Link
Minnesota
8-00
1948
West Battle Lake
Creighton, John

Link
Mississippi
7-15
1/24/1987
Pickwick Lake
Wilbanks, Thomas

Link
Missouri
7-02
12/18/1994
Stockton Lake
Clingan, Kevin

Link
Montana
7.84
22
9/13/2017
Fort Peck Reservoir
Dominick, Mike

Link
Nebraska
7-04
22
9/16/2000
Missouri River
Swanson, Dennis
Crawfish

Link
Nevada
8-11
21.5
5-31/2010
Sheep Creek Reservoir
Ockerman, Curtis

Link
New Hampshire
7-14.5
23.25
August 1970
Goose Pond
Loud, Francis

Link
New Jersey
7-02
1990
Round Valley Reservoir
Marciniak, Carol

Link
New Mexico
7-03
24
16.5
3/31/2006
Ute Lake

Link
New York
7-06
6/15/2022
Cayuga Lake
Russell, Thomas Jr.
Berkley Maxscent Minnow

Link
North Carolina
10-02
6/1/1951
Hiwassee Reservoir
Lampkin, Archie

Link
North Dakota
6-13
19
4/14/2007
Lake Darling
Elberg, Bruce

Link
Ohio
9-08
23.5
6/16/1993
Lake Erie
Randy VanDam

Link
Oklahoma
8-07
23.125
18
3/31/2012
Lake Lawtonka
Wasser, Ryan

Link
Oregon
8 lbs 1.76 ozs
2005
Henry Hagg Lake
Rubeo, Nick

Link
Pennsylvania
8-08
1997
Scott's Run Lake
Steelman, Robert

Link
Rhode Island
5-15
22.5
1977
Wash Pond
Ferris, B.

Link
South Carolina
9-07
2001
Lake Jocassee
Dodson, Terry

Link
South Dakota
7-04
7/16/2021
Lake Oahe
Diede, Troy

Link
Tennessee*
11-15
27
21.67
7/9/1955
Dale Hollow
Hayes, David
Bomber 609

Link
Texas
7.93 lbs
23
3/13/1998
Lake Meredith
Teague, Timothy

Link
Utah
7-06
22
16.5
3/24/1996
Midview Reservoir
Iorg, Allen

Link
Vermont
6-13
2003
Lake Eden
Spaulding, Isaac

Link
Virginia
8-01
3/12/2003
New River
Eaton, Donald

Link
Washington
8-12
4/23/1966
Columbia River
Wonacott, Ray

Link
West Virginia
9-12
24.25
1971
South Branch
Lindsay, David

Link
Wisconsin
9-01
6/21/1950
Indian Lake
Stefonek, Leon

Link
Wyoming
5.94
21
15
4/27/2003
Flaming Gorge Reservoir
O'Neal, Bubba

Link
NOTE: Kentucky and Tennessee share the state record from Dale Hollow Lake, caught by David Hayes in 1955