MONROE COUNTY, Ind. -- According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Hoosier angler Rex Remington caught an eight-pound, four-ounce smallmouth bass on Monroe Lake March 3, beating the previous record set in 1992 at Twin Lake in LaGrange County by one pound.

DNR officials say smallmouth bass are one of Indiana’s three species of black bass, along with largemouth bass and spotted bass.

"Pound for pound, smallmouth are known among anglers as the most spirited fighters of the black bass, said DNR District 5 Fish Biologist Dave Kittaka. "Many anglers associate smallmouth bass with streams and natural lakes, but several Indiana reservoirs consistently have smallmouth catches, including Patoka and Brookville in addition to Monroe."

Officials say fishing for smallmouth in lakes is best in early spring, as they feed aggressively before spawning.

"As water temperatures warm, smallmouth move into rocky points and flat rocky areas," Kittaka said. "They are opportunistic carnivores, consuming insects, crayfish, and fish. Lures that imitate prey, such as spinnerbaits, crayfish-patterned crankbaits, surface lures, and live minnows or crayfish are effective."

The new record fish was released alive back into Monroe Lake.

Monroe Lake, in Monroe County just 10 miles south of Bloomington, is Indiana’s largest reservoir at 10,750 acres and has nine public boat ramps.

Learn more about the Indiana Record Fish Program here, or purchasing a fishing license here.