Lunker Caught in Noxon Rapids Reservoir: New State Record Bass Confirmed

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has confirmed that a bass caught on May 2 on the Noxon Rapids Reservoir is a state record. It weighed in at 8.8 pounds, beating the previous record of 8.29 pounds, caught in 1999 in Many Lakes east of Kalispell. Darin Williams of Pinehurst, Idaho caught the fish on tube bait.

Here's the full press release:

An Idaho angler caught an 8.8-pound largemouth bass in Noxon Rapids Reservoir on May 2 that has been confirmed as a new Montana state record. Darin Williams of Pinehurst, Idaho was fishing with a partner at a bass fishing tournament when he hooked and landed the huge largemouth. The 8.8-pound bass measured 22.5 inches long and beat the old record by a half-pound. Williams caught the fish on tube bait. The lunker bass was released after the weigh-in.

The previous Montana record largemouth bass was 22 inches long and weighed 8.29 pounds. It was caught in 1999 in Many Lakes east of Kalispell.