The biggest fish in the lake

[Fried Lemons]

Have you guys ever caught what you think is the biggest fish in a body of water? Or do you believe there's always a bigger fish? This is more geared toward smaller lakes and ponds where you have pretty much fished every inch of water. There will always be that sense of the unknown on a large lake. I like to believe there is a bigger fish out there that has outsmarted me at every turn and perhaps has unpredictable patterns. On the other hand I have doubts sometimes when I catch the same fish on more than one occasion and have never seen a bigger fish in the same waters. My gut tells me that on highly pressured small water there is unlikely to be some mystery fish that has managed to completely evade capture although to be fair the biggest fish I've encountered slip up once a year maximum. Perhaps a bigger fish would never make a mistake.

[OmegaDPW]

Yes. I mainly fish two small ponds. I know for a fact that I caught the biggest one a couple of weeks ago out of the main pond. I've also caught a 3lb crappie out of the same pond. I don't know enough about the crappie/bluegill population in this pond, so that's what I'm going to focus on now and let the bass get even bigger. 

[Smokinal]

The chances of you catching the biggest fish in the lake are astonomical; depending on the size of the body of water.

The world record everything is swimming somewhere.

 

[Team9nine]

In the really small HOA ponds I used to fish, I honestly think I might have caught the largest bass in at least 2 of them. These are sub 1-acre ponds that I fished about 200 days a year on (rotated through about 6 of them). The largest was 3 acres, and I caught some nice bass from that one, but still doubt I caught the largest one living there. Any body of water I’ve ever fished bigger than those, I’m certain the answer is “No” 😄

[WRB]

The thought that giant bass or other species live near you is wishful thinking.

Record  size fish are very rare and live in even fewer places around the country.

The biggest bass are usually caught during the spawn cycle when the big females are less wary. 
No I haven’t caught the largest bass in the lakes where I fish.

Tom

[Pat Brown]

I've seen the largest bass at a small pond I fish but only ever caught her sisters.

[ThatFishingGuy]

I'm almost certain I did. It was a tiny neighborhood pond that I fished very often because it was nearby. Never caught anything over a pound and a half over the 3 years or so I fished it, but one day caught a five and a half pounder on a spinnerbait. It was crazy to see nothing big for years, and then out of nowhere a monster

[IcatchDinks]

I always believe there's one bigger. I caught a 4+ lber in my home pond- the biggest fish I've ever seen in that pond, by far. But I guarantee there's a bigger one in there somewhere. And I aim to catch her. 

[gim]

I believe I did in fact hook the biggest muskie in a lake I regularly fish several times a season.  I was with my Father in August 2022.  I piled into a sizable tiger muskie and did not get a look at it until it was about 15 feet from the boat.  It jumped, shook its head, and spit the hook.

 

My Father didn't say anything to me for a few minutes and it was just awkward silence.  Shortly after, he broke the silence and said "I think you just hooked the biggest fish in the lake."  We estimated this fish to be 45-50 inches which is unheard of for a tiger muskie.

[Susky River Rat]

Never. 

[LrgmouthShad]

Caught a 6.21lb fish out of a very small NY reservoir. I’d never heard of anyone catching a fish larger that during the 2-3 years I fished it and I whole heartedly believe it could have been the biggest during that time. Not a record, but possibly the biggest at that time. Average size there was way below keeper. I’ve caught a bass pushing 7lbs out of Ol Muddy too which is a 2 acre farm pond in NC. I always thought it was the biggest in the pond, but my Mom claims she hooked and lost one bigger recently. 

[A-Jay]

Obviously it's hard to know for sure,

but a few years back while fishing from the Old Town with my wife,

a 6 lb green bass went into the net. 

This is a little lake where a 2lb bass is a 'good one', a 4lb bass is rare

which makes this catch pretty special.

Haven't seen one close to this since. 

A-Jay

[Mike L]

There’s just no way of knowing for sure unless you shock the lake and mark her. 
You may have a good idea based on history but there’s just no way to confirm it.

I’ve caught more than 2 DD bass in 4 different bodies of water in 2 states since 2010 and I have no illusions that I or anyone else pulled her up. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[papajoe222]

I fish a small (60acre), deep lake just over the boarder that gets very little fishing pressure. There are only three homes on this lake and it's crystal clear.  I caught a big gall, 24in. that I figured to be around 7lb. Just a guess on the weight as I didn't carry a scale on that trip.  When talking to one of the homeowners, he said he regularly pulls 8lb. LM  out of the shallows off his dock. Hmmm, sounds like wishful thinking to me, but who knows.

I make sure I hit that dock two or three times every time I'm there.

[33oldtimer]

On 7/6/2024 at 9:53 AM, OmegaDPW said:

Yes. I mainly fish two small ponds. I know for a fact that I caught the biggest one a couple of weeks ago out of the main pond. I've also caught a 3lb crappie out of the same pond. I don't know enough about the crappie/bluegill population in this pond, so that's what I'm going to focus on now and let the bass get even bigger. 

Similar to myself except I mainly fish 4 small ponds. Pretty sure the biggest bass in one pond is about 15-16", lots of 9-12" bass, but huge panfish. Crappie as big as 14", bluegill 11", and an 11" perch. Another pond tops out at 14" bass. The other two as big as 20" bass. You really get to know these small bodies of waters and their occupants after awhile.

[Fried Lemons]

On 7/6/2024 at 1:58 PM, gimruis said:

I believe I did in fact hook the biggest muskie in a lake I regularly fish several times a season.  I was with my Father in August 2022.  I piled into a sizable tiger muskie and did not get a look at it until it was about 15 feet from the boat.  It jumped, shook its head, and spit the hook.

 

My Father didn't say anything to me for a few minutes and it was just awkward silence.  Shortly after, he broke the silence and said "I think you just hooked the biggest fish in the lake."  We estimated this fish to be 45-50 inches which is unheard of for a tiger muskie.

Ouch! I had a very similar experience last year. Fish hit hard and started pulling drag so I assumed it was a striper until it jumped and threw the hooks. One of the most spectacular things I’ve seen. I’d estimate this fish at 45-50 based on two 40s I was able to land the year before. A real heartbreaker but at least I have a memo.

[gim]

38 minutes ago, Fried Lemons said:

One of the most spectacular things I’ve seen.

 

They are difficult fish to hook and even tougher to land.  You better have a good hookset in those iron jaws otherwise they're coming loose.

 

Sweet action photo

[king fisher]

No, but I'm going to.

[Swamp Girl]

38 minutes ago, king fisher said:

No, but I'm going to.

 

With many anglers, your assertion would be mostly wind, but I believe you can, King.

[Bankc]

Biggest overall?  Nah.  There are catfish in these lakes that can get pretty big, and I don't intentionally try to catch catfish.  There are also sometimes alligator gars, paddle fish, and other species that I don't mess with that can get north of 100lbs. 

 

But I might have caught the biggest freshwater drum in a particular lake near me.  It only weighed 12lbs, which is far off the state record (38lbs).  But I caught it in a lake that's not connected to any rivers or natural waterways and was never stocked with drum.  So it's possible it was the ONLY drum in that lake.  I've told a lot of people about it, and no one else has ever heard of anyone catching a drum in that lake, so it might be a record.  But it's not a record anyone's gonna be keeping track of.  Besides, drums are trash fish.  And who wants to be the trash fish king? 

[Rockhopper]

Well my local fun hole is not really big, but holds very big fish.  The fish and game shocked the lake to do a survey of the fish.  The largest LM they recorded was 12.3 pounds.  Far bigger than my biggest fish in that small lake sized pond.

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings All,

Interesting questions. Biggest fish in the lake/pond caught by me, probably not. I have caught a number of better than typical sized fish. I can say that based on the fish I have caught at the various locations. Here in Southern AZ there are only so many places available in the high desert. I've done a good deal of angling since the 1970s. That catch data collected over time has provided me a reasonable profile what I consider "typical".

 

I am grateful for catching fish during most of my angling adventures. Each one on-line is a gift with some that are more special. Using ultra lite gear helps me with the catching. It simply provides more opportunity for strikes. I've found fish are generally more inclined to have a go at a smaller bait, presented in a more relaxed fashion.

 

The waters here are usually quite murky so I don't get the benefit of "seeing" the fish. Also I'm a basic austere angler. Just the basic fish rod with tackle, no electronics, no electronic propulsion or mechanical advantage when I'm using the kayak. I'm simply enjoying the adventure of casting and discovering as I go. That methodology is working well for me so I've got no motivation to make dramatic changes. Now your mileage may vary. So approach angling in a way suited to your aspirations and objective.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty happy with all the catches. I've got photo and video evidence of the typical catches along with some of the better than typical ones. All are smile generating. Best of luck to each of you in finding that local beast! Just be sure to take some good photos. Be well and Cheers!

 

[pdxfisher]

I don't think I have ever caught the biggest fish but I think I often hook the biggest snag

[Woody B]

I wonder about total Bass (and fish) population at times, including what is the biggest Bass in the lake.   The lake I fish most of the time is ~13000 acres.  I'm sure I haven't caught the biggest Bass in it,  however, I do believe I catch some of the biggest 5% or so in the lake.   

 

My youngest Grandson caught this Bass a couple years ago in a 1/2 acre farm pond.   I suspect it was the biggest Bass in that body of water.  He didn't have a scale...didn't weigh or measure it.   He's 6'2" so it's not like a 4 foot tall kid holding that Bass.