Michigan has a new state record for smallmouth bass.
Robert Bruce Kraemer of Treasure Island, Fla., on Sunday caught a 23.10-inch, 9.98-pounder on the Indian River in Cheboygan County.
The previous state record was set in October 2015, when Greg Gasiciel of Rhodes landed a 9.33-pound, 24.50-inch fish from Hubbard Lake in Alcona County. Prior to Gasiciel’s catch, the smallmouth bass state record had stood since 1906. That fish was a 9.25-pound, 27.25-incher from Long Lake in Cheboygan County.
Michigan fishing state records are recognized by weight only. To qualify, identification must be verified by a DNR fisheries biologist.
“In just the last four years, anglers have caught a total of 16 state-record fish, a remarkable number of big fish in a relatively short time," Jim Dexter, chief of the DNR Fisheries Division, said in a released statement. “This is just more evidence that Michigan is home to a healthy, robust fishery -- a resource and sporting opportunity that continues to draw people from all over.”
Kraemer has a cottage on Indian River and said he has been fishing Michigan waters since 1965. He was using night crawlers for bait Sunday.
“I usually spend June through the end of September up here at the cottage,” Kraemer told the DNR. “I’ve got some great fish stories and some nice fish, but nothing like this.”
