Illinois State Record White Bass: 4 lb 14 oz
The Illinois state record white bass weighed 4 lb 14 oz. It was caught in 1981 from Kaskaskia River in Clinton County, and the Illinois DNR still recognizes it as the state mark 45 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Kaskaskia River in Clinton 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.
White Bass records by state
Illinois ranks 3 of 6 among the states in our index for record white bass. Missouri holds the heaviest at 5 lb 6 oz, set in 2002.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri | 5 lb 6 oz | 2002 | Table Rock Lake |
| 2 | Iowa | 5 lb 2 oz | 2019 | East Okoboji Lake |
| 3 | Illinois (this page) | 4 lb 14 oz | 1981 | Kaskaskia River |
| 4 | South Dakota | 4 lb 12 oz | 2011 | North Rush Lake |
| 5 | North Dakota | 4 lb 10 oz | 2012 | Devils Lake |
| 6 | Ohio | 4 lb | 1983 | Gravel pit |
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
14 of Illinois's 19 standing records are heavier than the 4 lb 14 oz white bass — unsurprising, since record weight tracks species size more than anything about the water. 7 Illinois records have stood longer, the white bass mark dating to 1981.