If you enjoy bass tournament fishing and having fun we would love to have you fishing with us! To qualify fish must meet the following requirements: The fish has to have been caught on hook and line; The fish has to have been caught in Illinois; The length of the fish has to have been measured using the appropriate measuring device per tourney rules and regulations Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. We use cookies on our websites for a number of purposes, including analytics and performance, functionality and advertising. In most fishing spots in Illinois the size limit for small and large mouth bass ranges from 14 inches to 18 inches. Where big bass are to be found most of the time is where fishing is often the most difficult, deep or in heavy cover, or both. Finish in the top 3 at a Regional event. They are also found in some of the natural lakes in Northeastern Illinois. Please call 847-856-1229 and ask for the promotions department ahead of time to set up times and dates! With all of our wonderful rivers and lakes, the fish are abundant in Illinois. Day 2: What: Day 2 will include the mandatory range qualification, then a final classroom portion at Bass Pro Shops store. Or maybe for people that like the challenge of pushing the limits of their skill and of nature. Catch the Biggest Bass in your Division. 9. I was speechless 9 pounds even. All Bass must be at least 12 inches to be counted on the tournament. The fish was caught in a lake county gravel pit. Illinois DNR is transitioning our wildlife licensing, watercraft/snowmobile licensing, and campground reservation systems, including Reserve America, to a new system in March. Payout will be 100% minus TourneyX fees, LHA fee (2$ per angler) & Pay Pal fees. Sprawling over 18,900 acres, the lake was finished by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1971. And while that size bass would be big anywhere, it would be even more significant here in Illinois, where the state record is 13-1. With the bevy of great fishing opportunities ranging from small ponds to big reservoirs, streams and rivers, there is a bass fishing opportunity waiting to whet the appetite of most any angler, casual or pro. Big bass fishing for a lunker is made even more of a challenge because most of us don't fish where they hang out. Any angler would be lying if they said they’ve never dreamed about catching a monster fish, whether it’s a 10 pounder, a new PB, or even a state record. Weighing 13.1 lbs, the bass was caught on a yellow mister twister. Also, ice. There are seven lakes in this FWA complex - located in Bureau County located on the Buda blacktop about three miles west of Buda - that contain good populations of largemouth bass. It was fighting hard, so he figured it was one of the quality bass for which Kinkaid Lake is known. report. https://shopkarls.com/blog/state-largemouth-bass-record-america The fish was caught in a lake county gravel pit. There is a lot to buzz about here in the Prairie State. share. Bass don't grow that big here. You can bring your group or organization in for some unique history behind Bass Pro, and even get a FREE tour of the store! 4 Big Baits That Catch Big Bass, And How To Use Them, Canadian Angler Wins 100K Catching Smallmouth While The Competition Went For Largemouth, Women in Fishing: Creating Their Own Space In The Fishing Industry, How To Catch More Panfish From The Bank In The Winter, 5 Early Spring Bass Baits That NEVER Let Me Down, Wisconsin Ice Anglers Fist Fight Over A Fishing Spot. I noticed the gear used isn't mentioned which doesn't help clear anything up. Open water cast fishing only No ice fishing You make a valid point... hmm... TO THE ALMANAC! The largemouth prefers shallow, weedy lakes and river backwaters — the same type of habitat that produces bluegills. 1/3. Vote. All ties will be decided by teams biggest bass(by weight then length) 7. 480. Artificial bait only NO live bait . I did see a photo of a 10.7 pounder out of a private quarry in Chicago, was weighed on video. There’s Something Magical About These 13 Illinois Lakes In The Summer. 485. 2. Rend Lake, the state's second largest inland reservoir, is a popular spot for bass tournaments and offers a variety of excellent fishing and recreation opportunities to folks who visit southern Illinois. What are your opinions on this subject? A study in Florida found that a high percentage of angler-caught bass … The spot where that fish was caught is now off limits to the public and is a corporate pond around the Chicago suburbs (Lincolnshire). Either way, we all could literally be one cast away from from the bass fishing record books. 8. Illinois has some gorgeous and scenic lakes. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. As a bass trophy hunter, I find it amazing that the record didnt come from Southern Illinois where the average fish is larger, and holds trout year round (Devils Kitchen) for bass to eat on. All lake rules must be obeyed if your motor exceeds lake limits you must run at no wake speed. Pot payout will be given to the angler with the number 1 Big Bass . Broke my old PB of 5.00 that has stood for over 10 years! the bass was caught on a yellow mister twister. Myth 15: Trophy bass are old fish. After fishing for bass on this lake for a few days, I was able to find some big bass spawning in a muddy creek. Here's a whole thread on misinformation on BassResource: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/80066-misinformation/page-2, In my mind, 7lbs is believable -I once held one. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Weighing 13.1 lbs, the bass was caught on a yellow mister twister. As it got closer to the boat, however, Josh Jackson knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime crappie. French caught a 7-pound, 9-ounce largemouth at 9 a.m. After releasing the fish, he turned to his boat captain, Illinois B.A.S.S. East Fork Lake: This 935-acre lake near Olney in Richland County is quietly gaining a reputation as a … Discussion In February of 1976 the state record largemouth bass was caught in Illinois. We’ve compiled a list of the State Largemouth Bass Record from all 50 states to help serve as a reference on the quality of fish swimming in your home state. The man who caught the bass was Ed Walbel. This year, we are highlighting some of our past favorites, as well as introducing you to some new lakes you might not know about. In 1976 no autopsy was performed on this dead state record. Catch the Biggest Bass at a Lucas Oil Open Event. Having fished in Wisconsin for a while, I’m shocked the State Largemouth Bass Record is over 11 lbs, as I didn’t know double-digit LMBs even existed there! Which is the most surprising state largemouth bass record to you? Largemouth. You'll notice I said most of the time. 5.42 Lbs in a neighborhood pond!! Habitat: The yellow bass is both commonly found in the larger rivers, such as the Illinois and Mississippi River, their backwaters, and adjoining bottomland lakes and major tributaries. They have security who monitor the pond very seriously and will kick you off or call the police. Special Events Extremely unlikely, but possible. The largemouth bass is the most widely distributed of the black basses and occurs throughout Illinois. I Live in IL and around 9 pounds is the biggest bass i have ever seen and that was weighed and confirmed. Posted by just now. After making a cast towards the edge of a grass line, he got a big bite. Devil’s Kitchen, near Marion. Ed Walbel holds the state’s current biggest bass with the fish he caught on Feb. 15, 1976. 480. At 15.5 acres, Boss Lake is the biggest of the bunch, with both smallmouths and largemouths swimming in these reclaimed strip-pit waters. Of all the water in Illinois available to eager anglers, Devil’s Kitchen is … Fishing for record fish is for people with very large egos. The biggest bass ever to be caught in Illinois was the Grand It was caught by William H. Cremontey in 1983. and the largest of its kind to be caught in the Midwest. Illini TeamTrail is a team circuit, fish 7 of the 12 events and your team qualifies for the Classic and a chance to win a new Ranger Boat Z518 powered by 150hps Mercury. 6. I believe the bass was caught in the south, frozen, and brought home to Illinois to claim the state record that still stands today. 40 comments. Where (9 AM): Meet at Bass Pro Shops instore Range, 6112 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031. Baldwin Lake sets a size requirement of 18 inches for large and smallmouth bass and 17 inches for striped, white or hybrid striped bass. Finish the season in the top 200 in the National Points. Big Bass Fishing Tournament Trail, Litchfield, Illinois. I caught one of the biggest bass in illinois a few years ago . Come Tour Bass Pro Shops in Gurnee! The average Temperature in Lake County during Feb of 1976 was around 24 degrees. Finish in the top 3 at a Lucas Oil Open Event. Without any concrete evidence I hate to accuse him of anything. Ed Walbel had spent two weeks in Florida and Georgia fishing just before this catch in Illinois. Can confirm, something smells fishy. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. Next Generation Teams: hide. The Department of Conservation has developed a State Record Fish Program to acknowledge and honor anglers who have caught the largest recorded fish from a list of recognized species found in Missouri waters. While the Mississippi and Illinois rivers annually produce numerous big bass, it … We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Bass are also well adapted for life in small lakes or ponds. These 10 Amazing Spots In Illinois Are Perfect To Go Fishing Whether you’re looking for solitude or a way to connect with friends/family, going fishing is always a great idea. This guy is full of it. Newton Lake, Illinois [1,775 acres] Because this lake is intensely managed and has an 18­-inch minimum for bass, the state’s fisheries biologists believe the biggest fish in the state live here. Like the real estate business, a Newton Lake bass bonanza usually boils … 10. Records are not for me. Catch the Biggest Bass in a Regional Event. People of Illinois are skeptical of this fish. We profiled some last summer. Whats the biggest bass yall have caught in Illinois? Fact: Most double-digit bass, at least from southern waters where 10-plus pound bass are not uncommon, are fast growing and relatively young. Any boat that receives any tickets from law enforcement will be disqualified. Federation Nation President Frank Labanowski, and said, “That was the biggest bass I have ever caught. NIPSFA 2019 Illinois Big Bass Tournament. Plus that would be one hell of an auger to drill a hole big enough to fit a bass with 23 inch girth through! Walbel’s bass was 28 inches long, had a girth of 23 inches and came out of a Lake County gravel pit. In February of 1976 the state record largemouth bass was caught in Illinois. ... Ice has melted in Illinois! Illinois angler here. Posted by 4 days ago. Fishing related news and personal stories. There's a lot of excitement around bass fishing in Illinois. Everyone who lives in Illinois knows that in February, there are inches upon inches of ice on the lakes, strip mines, and gravel pits. Be the first to rate this post. Some records date back to George S Perry’s world record bass in 1922 while others state records seem to be broken every year. Missouri has a long, proud tradition of fishing, and its abundant lakes and streams have produced exceptional fish. Rumor was he caught it in Florida and brought it up . Otherwise, we would have released the biggest bass of the tournament." Big bass are often where you wouldn't expect them to be. public fishing tournaments. 20$ buy in (singles). Oddly enough, the biggest waters don't always yield the largest bass. My 4th and biggest bass of 2021. It’s fun and educational! Could it have been through the ice? The bass I’ve hunted since my first 6 pounder. In an interview with Walbel he said that a small patch of water was open and it was caught there. No votes so far! It's certainly possible that it was legitimate. Cought yesterday on a weedless ned rigged googan baits kraken craw. It’s a thought that has crossed all of our minds. But beyond that through most of the north (but not all -S coastal NE) requires a notary, priest, and rabbi, etc. Grew up in Lake County. I am also from IL and 13.1 pounds is impossible. 845 likes. I’ll never top that!” For example, Arrowhead Lake in Johnston City has a size limit of 15 inches. Close. Big Bass. It was no where near 13 pounds. save. We should be able to locate historical weather records in the surrounding time frame and possibly reports of ice thickness on any nearby larger bodies of water. This tournament is open to anyone.