https://www.newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/2025/03/angler-hacks-bigger-hole-in-ice-to-land-giant-cayuga-lake-smallmouth-bass.html?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa8fo8dIh6ORqHnz_dvpMPlhS6zOyNlzncbVhuab_kA4yRhgs2MgnImceA_aem_fZw2SYR29gplG81XOgntuw
 

According to the article, the fish went 8lb and 24”. This is the same lake that is absolutely popping off right now. A 12lb+ largemouth from the same lake broke the NYS record last year. NY has always been an exceptional bass state, but it’s really having its big bass moment. Both LM and SM records are falling. Good time to be a NY basser. 
 

In the link it says smallmouth but the picture is clearly a largemouth.  

shame she didn't have a scale to get an actual weight.  she estimated it was 8lb and the picture supports that.  I wouldn't be surprised if it was even bigger.  

20 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

shame she didn't have a scale to get an actual weight.  she estimated it was 8lb and the picture supports that.  I wouldn't be surprised if it was even bigger.  

Yeah I think 8 is a reasonable conservative estimate. 

8 lbs-8 1/2 lbs looks about right based on 24” NLMB. Doesn’t NY have a closed bass fishing season?

Tom

@WRB Most if not all but one county allow bass fishing all year provided they were caught with artificial lure and C&R only if caught between December and June 14th. 

Also, pretty sure she wasn’t fishing for bass. I think she was panfish fishing and caught a bass. 

1 minute ago, casts_by_fly said:

Also, pretty sure she wasn’t fishing for bass. I think she was panfish fishing and caught a bass. 

 

That would explain the lack of a scale.  Not the targeted species.

 

Ice fishing is very popular here in MN and not once, in all my years, have I ever heard a single one state they were going "ice fishing for bass."

I live like 30 mins from Cayuga, but don't fish it very often. It's so big, I'm intimidated and unsure where to start. 
 

I guess I'm missing out!