Illinois State Record Striped Bass: 31 lb 7 oz
The Illinois state record striped bass weighed 31 lb 7 oz. It was caught in 1994 from Sangchris Lake in Christian County, and the Illinois DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 32 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Sangchris Lake in Christian County. We don't carry a water-quality grade for it: our index covers standing lakes with enough EPA Water Quality Portal samples to score, which leaves out rivers and tributaries, Great Lakes water, and smaller ponds that are rarely sampled. Browse the Illinois lakes we do grade instead.
Striped Bass records by state
Illinois ranks 5 of 5 among the states in our index for record striped bass. Missouri holds the heaviest at 65 lb 2 oz, set in 2015.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri | 65 lb 2 oz | 2015 | Bull Shoals Lake |
| 2 | New York | 60 lb | 2014 | Hudson River |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 53 lb 13 oz | 1989 | Delaware River |
| 4 | Indiana | 40 lb 3 oz | 2023 | Blue River |
| 5 | Illinois (this page) | 31 lb 7 oz | 1994 | Sangchris Lake |
Each figure comes from that state's own fisheries agency. Agencies differ on what they certify — some recognize catch-and-release length records alongside weight — so treat this as a comparison of standing certified weights, not a single national list.
How it ranks inside Illinois
6 of Illinois's 19 standing records are heavier than the 31 lb 7 oz striped bass — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 11 Illinois records have stood longer, the striped bass mark dating to 1994.