Dante Piraino of Baldwinsville smashed the existing record by 8 ounces when he reeled in a 9 lb. 0 oz. smallmouth bass from the St. Lawrence River while fishing in a bass tournament out of Ogdensburg on September 22nd. The massive smallie was caught in 30 feet of water on a soft plastic minnow imitation. The fish was released back into the river after the official weigh-in.

Aside from the famed St. Lawrence River, some of the best smallmouth bass waters in New York include Lake Erie/Upper Niagara River, Lake Champlain, Cayuga Lake, Oneida Lake, and Chautauqua Lake. Lake George, Mohawk River, Susquehanna River, Lower Niagara River, and Keuka Lake are also great options.

As smallmouth continue to thrive here on the abundant food sources, the IGFA world record of 11-15 may be not far off for New York waters.