Arkansas Angler Lands 10-Pounder
A Benton, Arkansas angler landed a 10.22-pound largemouth bass at Lake Monticello this week. Catches over 10 pounds are rare events at this lake, which has a reputation for quality bass fishing. The timing coincides with spring pre-spawn conditions that are creating exceptional opportunities for trophy fish nationwide.
The angler, Rod Martinez of Benton, landed the 10.22-pound bass on a jig. Before the trophy catch, he had already caught 14 fish, including a 7.1-pounder and several 4-pounders, with no fish under 2 pounds. This catch was the 10th qualifying fish in the 2026 season for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's "Legacy Lunker" program. The fish was transported to the Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery in Lonoke to be used in a selective breeding program to produce more trophy-sized bass for Arkansas lakes. Anglers who donate a qualifying fish receive a replica mount. Lake Monticello, a 1,520-acre impoundment, has a history of producing large bass, with some anglers reporting catches in the 14-pound range. The lake was renovated and restocked starting in 2021 and has seen exceptional growth rates for bass, nearly double the typical rate in many Arkansas lakes. This is attributed to abundant vegetation, strong nutrient levels, and a lower bass population density. While a significant catch, this fish is not close to the state record. The Arkansas record for a largemouth bass is 16 pounds, 5 ounces, caught by Paul Crowder on Lake Dunn in 2012. However, there is some controversy around this record as it was later reported that Crowder did not have a valid fishing license at the time. The previously long-standing record was a 16-pound, 4-ounce bass caught by Aaron Mardis in 1976. The timing of this catch during the spring pre-spawn period is critical. During this time, as water temperatures rise, bass become more active and feed aggressively in shallower waters to prepare for spawning. This makes them more susceptible to being caught by anglers. The recent success at Lake Monticello is seen as a positive sign for other renovated Arkansas lakes, such as Lake Conway. After being drained for renovations, a properly managed lake with controlled predator-prey ratios and optimal habitat can see a rapid rebound in its fishery. One angler recently recorded a five-fish limit weighing a combined 35.7 pounds from Lake Monticello.
