Indiana’s largest officially recorded largemouth bass weighed 14 pounds, 12 ounces. Jenifer Schultz caught it in 1991 in Harrison County, a record that remains the standing entry on the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) record list accessed in 2026.
The catch is often described as a remarkable piece of ordinary family fishing: Schultz was watching her children swim when a topwater lure produced the fish of a lifetime. Here is what the official record says, what later accounts add, and how Indiana evaluates a state-record catch.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Indiana largemouth bass record at a glance
| Record detail | What the published sources report |
|---|---|
| Official weight | 14 pounds, 12 ounces |
| Angler | Jenifer Schultz |
| Catch date | May 27, 1991 |
| County | Harrison County, Indiana |
| Lake name | Seven Spring Lake in the DNR strategic plan; “Seven Springs Lake” in the published catch account |
| Lure | A Pop-R topwater lure; Schultz’s personal account identifies a Rebel Pop-R Silver and Black P70 |
The weight and angler come from Indiana DNR’s official record list. The DNR largemouth bass strategic plan supplies the Seven Spring Lake identification, while the catch account and Schultz’s own recollection provide the date, fishing circumstances and lure details. Those sources do not use the lake name identically, so the spelling is preserved by attribution rather than silently treated as a single standardized label.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Who caught Indiana’s record largemouth bass?
Jenifer Schultz is the angler named on Indiana’s current state-record list. The fish was caught on May 27, 1991, according to the published account of the catch. Schultz was not described as taking part in a specialized tournament operation or a laboratory project. She was fishing while keeping an eye on her children as they swam.
#1 Best Overall
- Easy Catch Design – Trembly Sinking + Vibrating Swim. The Shadtale delivers two actions in one lure: steady retrieve triggers a tight vibrating swim with paddle tail kick; jigging hops create a unique trembling fall. This combination triggers strikes from curious and aggressive fish alike
- Unique Trembly Sinking – Trembles All the Way Down. After each jigging hop, the Shadtale doesn't just drop – it trembles. This high‑frequency vibration during the fall mimics a stunned or injured baitfish, drawing reaction bites even from pressured bass, trout, crappie, and walleye
- Vibrating Swim Action – Steady Retrieve, Solid Vibration. Reel it in at a constant speed, and the paddle tail produces a powerful, tight vibrating swim. The lifelike shad profile and tail kick send out water displacement that predator fish can't resist – perfect for covering water
- BKK Premium Hooks – Ready to Fish. Equipped with sharp, corrosion‑resistant BKK hooks straight from the factory. No need to upgrade – these hooks penetrate deep and hold firm, giving you confidence on every hookset
- Multi‑Lure Pack – Multiple Colors, Better Value, Any Water Condition. Each pack contains multiple Shadtale lures in a variety of colors. Dark colors for murky/low‑light water, light colors for clear/bright conditions – you'll always have the right color for the moment. More lures, less cost per bait, and great for family fishing trips
The account says the strike came on a topwater popper. Schultz later recalled the shock of seeing the size of the bass and said, “We were both just dumbfounded, absolutely couldn’t believe it.” That sentence is an attributed recollection from the published interview, not a statement issued by the DNR.
The fish was weighed later that day at a grocery store in Corydon, according to the catch story. That detail explains why the public narrative includes a same-day weighing stop rather than a weigh-in at a fishing tournament. The official standing of the record, however, depends on Indiana’s record-fish documentation and measurement rules, not on the storytelling details alone.
Where was the fish caught?
Indiana DNR’s largemouth bass strategic plan identifies Seven Spring Lake in Harrison County as the location associated with the record. The catch account spells the name “Seven Springs Lake.” Both references point readers to the same Harrison County record story, but the wording should be retained as each source presents it.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Harrison County is in southern Indiana, a region that the DNR plan discusses separately from the state’s natural lakes when describing bass growth. The plan says a largemouth bass can reach a memorable 20 inches at about age nine in natural lakes and at about age seven in southern Indiana reservoirs. Those are general growth benchmarks, not an estimate of the record fish’s age. Nothing in the cited material establishes how old Schultz’s bass was when it was caught.
Rank #2
- 🐸【Double 360°rotatable Feet Soles】-- Designed with two propeller footboard, which can swing the water surface flexibly and produce the effect of disturbing the water flow, making the Frog lures easy to be noticed and attacked by the target fish.
- 🐸【Superior PVC Hollow Body】-- High-quality PVC material makes the frog fishing bait flexible, thick, elastic and durable to withstand all violent of bites. Highly imitating appearance and vivid skin of frogs make the soft plastic lures more fatal and attractive.
- 🐸【No Sink Design】-- Equipped with a moderate weight lead sinker, perfectly connected with the PVC material, making this top water lures difficult to sink. Used primarily for bass, pike, trout, musky, striper, hybrid, crappie, walleye, saugeye etc in freshwater.
- 🐸【Perfect 3D Simulation Design】-- 3.5 inches long, weighs 13g. Simulating the posture of the frog crawling on the water vividly and the excellent 3D eye design, improve the sense of detail and realism, and make it lifelike.
- 🐸【Rugged Penetrating Double Barbed Hook】--Double Wedness hooks are design for the mouth shape of freshwater fish. When being attacked, the crankbait body quickly sinks, leaking a sharp double hook, and pierces quickly, which can pierce quickly and increases hook-up percentage.Essential addition to any fishing tackle box.
How Indiana decides whether a bass is a state record
Indiana uses weight as the primary measure for a State Record Fish. Length is also required and serves after weight in the state’s size determination. An angler who believes a catch may qualify must preserve the evidence immediately, because the weighing condition and documentation are part of the claim.
Required measurements
- The fish must be weighed before freezing.
- The scale must be state-certified and accurate to one ounce.
- Both weight and length must be recorded, even though weight is the first ranking measure.
Weighing before freezing matters because freezing can change the fish’s condition and create uncertainty about the original measured weight. Recording length alongside weight gives officials a second documented dimension and allows Indiana to apply its stated ranking method consistently.
Documentation and witnesses
DNR rules call for documentation, photographs and witnesses. The agency may also require verification by a fisheries biologist. In practical terms, a potential-record angler should have other people observe the measurement, photograph the fish and scale, and retain the paperwork associated with the certified scale. A clear record of where and when the fish was caught helps officials connect the measurements to the claimed catch.
A grocery-store weighing mentioned in a historical account is therefore part of the story, not by itself a guarantee that a modern claim would be accepted. Today’s applicant must satisfy the current DNR process and any verification the agency requests.
Rank #3
- 【What You Get】 — Three 13G large frog lures, two 8G medium frog lures. Different sizes are suitable for different waters and different fish species, which can better deal with various unknown fishing situations. Great attraction for many fish including bass, snakehead, trout, pike.
- 【Realistic Appearance And Movement】 — Frog bait is designed to look and move like a real frog, with a lifelike appearance and realistic movement in the water. 2 colorful legs creates some surface ripples, looking like a hurt frog in upper water wandering. This can make it more attractive to fish.
- 【Best Gift】— Looking for the perfect gift for the fishing enthusiast in your life? Look no further than our Frog Lure Tackle Set! Whether it's on Father's Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year, the Frog Lure Set is a gift that will be appreciated by any angler. It's time to make fishing memories and reel in those big catches! Happy fishing! 🐟
- 【High Quality】 — The frog lures features high-quality components and a super soft hollow body. The hook is made of high-quality stainless steel, which can ensure that even large fish cannot escape. When being bitten, the soft plastic body squished down easily and expose the sharp hooks to pierce right on fish.
- 【Weedless Design】 — The weedless design means it glides in and out of thick cover easily and driving fishes crazy to come out of water to strike.
State Record Fish and Fish of the Year are different awards
Indiana’s two recognition systems can sound interchangeable, but they answer different questions. A State Record Fish is the heaviest qualifying fish under the state’s record rules. Fish of the Year recognizes the largest fish below the current state record and uses total length as its basis.
| Indiana recognition | Primary measurement | Eligibility concept |
|---|---|---|
| State Record Fish | Weight first, with length also recorded | A catch that establishes or exceeds the state’s standing record under DNR rules |
| Fish of the Year | Total length | The largest qualifying fish that remains below the current state-record threshold |
That distinction is important for anglers whose fish is exceptionally long but does not outweigh the record. A long bass can be meaningful for Fish of the Year without replacing the State Record Fish, while a heavier fish must still pass Indiana’s scale, witness and documentation requirements.
What lure produced the record catch?
The published catch account identifies the lure as a Pop-R topwater bait. Schultz’s personal account gives a more specific description: a Rebel Pop-R Silver and Black P70. The two descriptions are compatible, with the personal account supplying the model and color detail.
The historical identification should not be read as a claim that the exact P70 colorway is currently sold or readily available. The available sources do not establish present-day inventory, a current product listing or an unchanged modern specification. Nor does the lure detail prove that buying the same bait will reproduce the catch. It records what Schultz reported using on that occasion.
Rank #4
- Easy Catch Design – Engineered for More Strikes with Less Effort. The Popobait is built for one goal: make top water fishing easier. With instant startup, longer cast, and balanced action, you spend less time for more catch
- Instant Startup – Ready to Fish from the Moment It Hits the Water. Unlike ordinary topwater lures that need a fast retrieve to wake up, the Popobait begins its balanced spray, sound, and swim action immediately – even at the slowest retrieve speed. No lag, no hesitation
- Longer Cast Design – Reach Distant Fish-Holding Spots. Optimized Double-Blade Design and aerodynamic body deliver exceptional casting distance. Cover more water and target structure than other topwater lures. Get your bait in the strike zone with every cast.
- Balanced Spray, Sound & Swim – The Perfect Topwater Trio. The Popobait produces a harmonious combination of side spray, gurgling sound, and natural straight swim. Not too loud, not too subtle – just the right commotion to trigger aggressive strikes from bass, walleye, catfish, and pike
- BKK Premium Hooks – Ready for Battle Right Out of the Box. Factory-equipped with sharp, corrosion-resistant BKK hooks. No need to upgrade – these hooks penetrate deep and hold fast, whether you're fighting a hard-charging pike or a jumping bass
Why this record story remains useful to Indiana anglers
It separates an official fact from a memorable anecdote
The official DNR list establishes the standing weight and the angler’s name. The strategic plan supplies the lake identification. The catch account adds the date, the children-swimming detail, the Corydon weighing stop and the topwater presentation. Treating each source according to what it actually establishes avoids turning a colorful anecdote into an official rule or turning a planning document into a substitute for the live record list.
It shows why preparation matters even on a casual outing
Schultz’s catch was described as a family fishing moment rather than a planned record attempt. An angler does not know in advance when an ordinary cast will produce an extraordinary fish. Having a phone or camera available, knowing where a certified scale can be found and identifying potential witnesses can make the difference between a memorable fish story and a documented record application.
It puts bass size in a growth context
The DNR plan’s 20-inch benchmarks illustrate how quickly habitat and region can affect largemouth growth. They are useful context for understanding why southern Indiana waters and natural lakes may produce different size trajectories. They should not be used to reverse-engineer the record fish’s age, growth rate or habitat history, because the cited material does not provide those measurements.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteHow to document a possible Indiana record bass
The following sequence follows the requirements described by Indiana DNR. Anglers should confirm the current application instructions with the agency before submitting a claim, because administrative details can change.
Best Value
- Easy Catch Design – Trembly Sinking + Vibrating Swim. The Shadtale delivers two actions in one lure: steady retrieve triggers a tight vibrating swim with paddle tail kick; jigging hops create a unique trembling fall. This combination triggers strikes from curious and aggressive fish alike
- Unique Trembly Sinking – Trembles All the Way Down. After each jigging hop, the Shadtale doesn't just drop – it trembles. This high‑frequency vibration during the fall mimics a stunned or injured baitfish, drawing reaction bites even from pressured bass, trout, crappie, and walleye
- Vibrating Swim Action – Steady Retrieve, Solid Vibration. Reel it in at a constant speed, and the paddle tail produces a powerful, tight vibrating swim. The lifelike tadpole profile and tail kick send out water displacement and flash that predator fish can't resist – perfect for covering water
- BKK Premium Hooks – Ready to Fish. Equipped with sharp, corrosion‑resistant BKK hooks straight from the factory. No need to upgrade – these hooks penetrate deep and hold firm, giving you confidence on every hookset
- Multi‑Lure Pack – Multiple Colors, Better Value, Any Water Condition. Each pack contains multiple Shadtale lures in a variety of colors. Dark colors for murky/low‑light water, light colors for clear/bright conditions – you'll always have the right color for the moment. More lures, less cost per bait, and great for family fishing trips
- Keep the fish in the condition in which it was caught. Do not freeze it before the official weight is taken.
- Locate a state-certified scale. The scale must be accurate to one ounce, and the fish’s weight should be recorded at the certified weighing.
- Measure the fish’s length. Record the length as required by the DNR process, even though weight determines the primary ranking.
- Gather witnesses. Have other people observe the weighing and measurement rather than relying only on a later personal statement.
- Take photographs. Photograph the fish, measurements and scale display clearly enough for officials to evaluate the documentation.
- Record the catch details. Note the date, water body, county, tackle and circumstances while they are fresh, and retain any scale documentation.
- Submit the claim for review. Be prepared for the DNR to request additional evidence or verification by a fisheries biologist.
This checklist explains the evidence needed for a current claim; it does not change the historical circumstances of Schultz’s 1991 catch. The standing record is the value on the DNR’s current list, while any new fish must be evaluated under the agency’s process.
What the published record does—and does not—tell us
- Established: Indiana’s listed largemouth bass record is 14 pounds, 12 ounces, and the official list names Jenifer Schultz.
- Established by the catch account: The reported date is May 27, 1991; Schultz was watching her children swim; the fish struck a topwater popper; and it was weighed later at a Corydon grocery store.
- Established by the DNR plan: Seven Spring Lake in Harrison County is identified as the record location.
- Not established: The record fish’s age, its exact length, the environmental conditions at the moment of the catch, or whether the historic lure color remains available today.
Keeping those boundaries clear makes the story more credible. The record itself is precise; some surrounding details are personal recollections or historical descriptions and should be presented that way.
Bottom line for readers asking about Indiana’s biggest largemouth
If you want the official answer, Indiana’s largest recorded largemouth bass is the 14-pound-12-ounce fish credited to Jenifer Schultz. The catch is associated with Seven Spring Lake in Harrison County and dates to May 27, 1991. Its enduring appeal comes from the contrast between the extraordinary weight and the ordinary setting: a topwater cast made while Schultz watched her children swim. For anyone hoping to challenge the mark, the critical lesson is procedural as much as practical—secure a certified, pre-freezing weight, record the length, document the catch with witnesses and photographs, and follow the DNR’s verification requirements.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Leave a Reply