State Record: Smallmouth Bass
Hoosier angler Rex Remington caught an 8-pound, 4-ounce smallmouth bass on Monroe Lake on March 3, smashing the previous record set in 1992 at Twin Lake in LaGrange County by one pound. The new record fish was released alive back into Monroe Lake.
Smallmouth bass are one of Indiana’s three species of black bass, along with largemouth bass and spotted bass. Pound for pound, smallmouth are known among anglers as the most spirited fighters of the black bass. Many anglers associate smallmouth bass with streams and natural lakes, but several Indiana reservoirs consistently have smallmouth catches, including Patoka and Brookville in addition to Monroe.
Fishing for smallmouth in lakes is best in early spring, as they feed aggressively before spawning. As water temperatures warm, smallmouth move into rocky points and flat rocky areas. They are opportunistic carnivores, consuming insects, crayfish, and fish. Lures that imitate prey, such as spinnerbaits, crayfish-patterned crankbaits, surface lures, and live minnows or crayfish are effective.
Monroe Lake, in Monroe County just 10 miles south of Bloomington, is Indiana’s largest reservoir at 10,750 acres and has nine public boat ramps. More information is at on.IN.gov/monroelake.
To learn more about the Indiana Record Fish Program, please see on.IN.gov/recordfish. Learn about purchasing a fishing license at on.IN.gov/fishinglicense.
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