BILLINGS - A largemouth bass pulled from Lake Elmo in Billings Heights Saturday is big enough to be a new state record. The 9.575 lb. fish tops the previous record of 8.8 lb. that has stood since 2009.
Brandon Wright caught the 22.5-inch-long fish Saturday morning while angling from shore with a worm on a hook and 6-pound test line, according to a release. He officially confirmed the fishâs species, weight and length by contacting Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials and weighing it on a certified scale at Alberstons grocery in Billings Heights.
Wright, who has lived in Billings for about four years, said he usually likes to flyfish, but decided Saturday to fish at Lake Elmo. He arrived at the lake a little after 10 a.m. and tipped a #10 Eagle Claw hook with a piece of night crawler. Then, Wright said, he sat back and started watching Tik Tok videos on his cell phone. Within 15 minutes, the big fish took his bait and he was able to reel it ashore.