A few moments in New York’s angling history have had the same impact as the recent breaking of the state’s longstanding largemouth bass record. This event is monumental within the state’s fishing community and across the broader landscape of sportfishing in the United States. The new record, set by angler James Britenbaugh, marks a significant milestone in the evolving narrative of New York State freshwater fishing.
For over three decades, the previous record, set in 1987 by John Higley, stood unchallenged. Higley’s catch, a largemouth bass weighing 11 pounds and 4 ounces from Buckhorn Lake, held a near-mythical status among anglers. Despite the efforts of countless fishermen across New York’s numerous lakes and rivers, Higley’s record remained untouched—until now.
James Britenbaugh’s record-breaking bass, caught in Cayuga Lake, weighed an astonishing 12 pounds and 6 ounces and was 1 pound and 2 ounces larger than the previous record fish. Britenbaugh, an experienced angler from Pennsylvania with a deep understanding of New York’s waters, achieved this feat in one of the Finger Lakes while practicing for a bass tournament. This catch puts Cayuga Lake on the map for serious largemouth bass anglers and sends ripples of excitement throughout the angling community nationwide.
While James Britenbaugh’s achievement is undoubtedly worthy of celebration, the underlying hero of this story is New York’s commitment to conservation and sustainable fishing practices. Through initiatives such as catch-and-release policies, habitat restoration projects, and fish stocking programs, the state has worked diligently to preserve its fisheries. These efforts ensure that New York’s waters support thriving fish populations and that future generations of anglers can enjoy the sport.
Britenbaugh’s record-breaking catch also emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and persistence in sport fishing. His deep familiarity with Cayuga Lake and its fish, honed over years of experience, demonstrates that patience and dedication often yield the greatest rewards. This story will inspire both seasoned anglers and newcomers, encouraging them to explore New York’s waters with renewed enthusiasm and respect for nature.
And this record comes on the tails of another New York State record, weeks after a new state record for longnose gar was set on June 21. Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton, Monroe County, reeled in a 15-pound, 14-ounce longnose gar from Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County. The lake also saw the record smallmouth bass, weighing 8 pounds and 6 ounces, from Thomas Russell caught from it back in 2022, making this body of water a proven big fish producer.
As we celebrate this milestone, it’s important to reflect on what it signifies for the future of fishing in New York. The record underscores the state’s rich natural resources and the need to protect them. It also highlights the role of responsible fishing practices in conservation efforts, as shown by the angler’s release of the record fish after getting a confirmed weight. By continuing to prioritize sustainability, New York can ensure that its waters remain a haven for fish and anglers alike on both the fresh and saltwater fronts.
Britenbaugh also submitted details of his winning catch as part of DEC’s newly revamped Angler Achievement Awards Program. The program recognizes anglers who catch any of the 40 eligible fish species that meet or exceed the minimum qualifying lengths established for that species and tracks state record fish.
Again, another huge congratulations goes out to the angler for breaking a record that stood for almost four decades and for his release of the record bass back into Cayuga. With these recent records being broken which one is up next?
