It’s now official; a Pennsylvania angler has caught a record-breaking fish from Cayuga Lake.
While preparing for an upcoming bass tournament, James Britenbaugh reeled in a 12lb 7oz largemouth bass from the Cayuga County side of Cayuga Lake on July 14.
On Monday, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced the fish has set a new state record for largemouth bass. The catch surpasses the previous record set in 1987 on Buckhorn Lake, Otsego County by 1lb 2oz.
“It’s no secret that New York has the best bass fishing opportunities in the country and Mr. Britenbaugh’s incredible fish certainly confirms that,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “DEC encourages all anglers fishing in New York to check out the Angler Achievement Awards Program before dropping a line in the water. It’s an exciting program that recognizes sizable catches and shines a light on the numerous lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams producing trophy-sized fish right here in New York.”
The fish was later released.
Cayuga Lake now holds the record for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
This announcement comes weeks after Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton set a new state record for longnose gar. On June 21, Zimmerman caught a 15lb 14oz fish from Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County.
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