Before I ask my question, I have to say, there is SO much info on this site! I've spent hours just this week combing through the different threads and learning a ton. Onto my question:

 

If you wanted to find a body of water in your state that might be able to produce a state record fish, what characteristics would you look for?

 

My first thoughts were places where bass are the apex predators (I live in upstate NY, so nowhere there's pike). Also, there would need to be an abundant supply of food. But outside of that, I'm curious as to what everyone else thinks. Thanks everyone.

California where I bass fish a new record LMB isn’t happening any time soon.

Smallmouth and Spotted Bass is a possibility, Smallmouth is a greater chance.

Current official state records, LMB 21 lbs 12 oz, Smallmouth 9 lbs 13 oz, Spotted 11 lbs 4 oz*

Tom

* world record. 

WRB,

 I know exactly what you mean. I grew up reading stories about Bob Crupi and Castaic Lake. 
 

I'm more curious about what you would look for in terms of characteristics for a body of water that could produce a state record. 

The 1st factor to recognize is how rare giant or record size bass are. The 2nd factor is the vigor of the bass strain. The 3rd is the available food and sanctuary areas where the young bass can feed and be safe. Big bass start off as small bass that must out compete there Year class for food and find a safe place to hide to survive.

The ecosystem is at it’s prime growth period when a new bass pure bass species is introduced. The vigor off the bass species dwindles with each spawn cycle.

Fishing pressure plays a big part as 3 lb bass are very vulnerable to being caught and die from tournament livewell stress or a food source. 

4th is lake management. California stocks a lake 1 time with Bass and after the initial stock the bass are on their own. The Florida Largemouth Bass strain in California all came from Orville Ball’s experimental stocking program in 1959 for San Diego city lakes. From that program bass were moved around the state to lakes like Casitas and Castiac in the early 70’s. 

50 years of bass generations without new pure strain bass affects the vigor of the species. 

Lake Dixon was isolated for decades and thought to be a trout lake with very little bass fishing pressure. Dixon produced Dottie, the biggest FLMB ever caught 25.1 lbs... 

illegal catch.

Is there another lake Dixon?

Tom