Rock Bass State & World Records
Rock bass are one of the most popular panfish species. Below you will learn what makes a trophy rock bass and the state and world records.
World Record Rock Bass
The biggest rock bass ever caught weighted 3 pounds. This world record was caught on the York River in Ontario, Canada by Herbert Ratner, Jr in 1998.
Rock Bass Records by State
| State | Weight | Location | Caught By | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 lb 6 oz | Paint Rock River | James R. Stewart | 5/6/1995 |
| Arizona | 8.7 oz | Oak Creek | Buzz Hettick | 4/21/2002 |
| Arkansas | 1 lb 8 oz | Norfork Lake (Clear Creek) | Jerry Heard | 8/2/1982 |
| Colorado | 1.08 lbs | Ramah Reservoir (El Paso County) | Timothy Fisk | |
| Connecticut | 1 lbs | Colebrook Reservoir, Colebrook | Ernie Gonsalves | 6/11/1905 |
| Illinois | 1 lbs 10 oz | Aux Sable Creek | George Nielson | 5/5/1987 |
| Indiana | 3 lb | Sugar Creek, Hancock County | David Thomas | 5/22/1905 |
| Iowa | 1 lbs 8 oz | Mississippi River | Jim Driscoll | 6/1/1973 |
| Kentucky | 1 lb 10 ozs. | Casey Creek | H.S. White | 5/26/1975 |
| Maryland | 1.5 lbs | Thurmont Farm Pond | Earl Jenkins IV | |
| Minnesota | 2 lbs | Lake Osakis | Paul Kern | 5/10/1998 |
| Missouri | 2 lbs 12 oz | Big Piney River | William J. Rod | 6/15/1968 |
| Montana | 13.12 oz | Lower Crazy Head Springs Reservoir | Lance Dennis | 5/14/2010 |
| Nebraska | 2 lbs 4 oz | private pond | Edna Zuege | 5/6/1972 |
| New Hampshire | 1 lb 8 ozs. | Island Pond | Linc Chamberland | 9/18/1982 |
| New Jersey | 1 lbs 5 oz | Saddle River | Eric Avogardo | 6/4/1905 |
| New York | 2 lb | Port Bay (Lake Ontario), Wayne Co. | Jason Leusch | 5/24/2020 |
| Ohio | 1.97 lbs | Deer Creek near London | George A Keller | 9/3/1932 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 lb 2 oz | Elk Creek | David L. Weber | 5/24/1905 |
| South Dakota | 2 lbs | Lewis & Clark Lake | Joe A. Kippes | 7/14/1990 |
| Tennessee | 2 lbs 8 oz | Stones River | Bill Sanford | 5/11/1905 |
| Texas | 13.28 oz | San Marcos River | Chad Thomas | 10/9/1997 |
| Vermont | 2 lbs | Lake Champlain | Brad French | 7/16/1981 |
| Virginia | 2 lbs 2 oz | Laurel Bed Lake | Larry Ball | 5/17/1986 |
| Washington | 1 lbs 6 oz | Steilacoom Lake | William Jackson | 6/28/1981 |
| West Virginia | 1.75 lbs | Big Sandy Creek | Warren Ryan | 5/17/1905 |
| Wisconsin | 2 lbs 15 oz | Shadow Lake | 6/2/1990 | |
| Wyoming | 1 lbs | Sheridan County Pond | Randy Reece | 5/12/2007 |
What state has the biggest rock bass?
Pennsylvania is the state with the largest rock bass caught in the United States. It weighed 3 lbs and was caught on Lake Erie.
What is the average size rock bass?
The average size rock bass seen in the wild falls in the 5-8 inch range, weighing around 1lb. This is much smaller than the world record of 3 lbs.
What size rock bass is considered a trophy?
Rock bass start to be considered trophy size at 10 inches long.