UPDATED THROUGH BIG FISH OF 2007
All-time (1982-2007) Big Fish top 10 by species (if 10 aren't listed, it's because a total
of 10 hasn't been turned in):
LARGEMOUTH BASS
13-0 Bill Blitzblau, Rockford Lake Kissimmee (Fla.) 1984
12-12 Kevin Miller, Stillman Valley (r) Lake Innisbrook (Fla.) 1999
12-8 Shawn Collins, Rockford farm pond (Fla.) 1990
12-6 Roger Freeman, Irene Private pond (Ga.) 2006
12-4 Charles Owens, Machesney Park Lake George (Fla.) 1989
12-4 Charles Owens, Machesney Park (r) St. Johns River (Fla.) 1990
12-2 Maynard Cornelius, Forreston private lake (Fla.) 1982
12-1 Charles Owens, Machesney Park Lake George (Fla.) 1989
12-0 Larry Stanaitis, Machesney Park (r) St. Johns River (Fla.) 2006
12-0 Craig O'Neill, Winnebago Johnson Lake (Fla.) 1986
12-0 Charles Owens, Machesney Park (r) St. Johns River (Fla.) 1990
SMALLMOUTH BASS
7-8Rich Lewis, Rockton (r)Rainy Lake (Ontario)2003
7-0Ken Aultman, Cedarville (r)Lake Kaubshine (Wis.) 2001
6-14Darrin Marcure, StocktonMississippi River (Wis.)2004
6-13 Paul Bertolasi, Winnebago Chain Lake (Wis.) 1996
6-11 Mike Andrew, Schaumburg (r) Knife Lake (Minn.) 1996
6-10 Dan Thorpe, Rockford (r) Lake Erie (Ohio) (Ont.) 2006
6-9 Jeff Fillmore, Rockford (r) Turtle-Flambeau Flowage (Wis.) 1993
6-8 Wayne Ollmann, Kingston (r) Eva Lake (Ont.) 1990
6-8 John Pofelski, Rockford Delavan Lake (Wis.) 1992
6-8 Todd Cedarleaf, Rockford (r) White Lake (Wis.) 1999
STRIPED BASS-HYBRID STRIPED BASS
37-0 Art Hass, Roscoe Lake Cumberland (Ky.) 1989
35-7 Jack Schmittel, Loves Park Lake Cumberland (Ky.) 1989
32-8 Bob Lowe, Rockford Lake Norfork (Ark.) 1994
30-0 Gary King, DeKalb Lake Norfork (Ark.) 1991
30-0 Wally Butenschoen, Marengo Elephant Butte Reservoir (N.Mex.) 1995
30-0 Thomas J. Parrott, Rockford Cumberland Lake (Ky.) 1998
28-7 George Graves, Belvidere Lake Cumberland (Ky.) 1989
28-5 George Graves, Belvidere Lake Cumberland (Ky.) 1989
28-0 George Graves, Belvidere Lake Cumberland (Ky.) 1989
27-1 Ed McKinney, Rockford Lake Norfork (Ark.) 1992
STRIPED BASS
36-4 Joel Hinderliter, Harvard Lake Cumberland (Ky.) 1999
30-0 Thomas J. Parrott, Rockford Cumberland Lake (Ky.) 1998
29-10 Gene Hinderliter, Harvard Lake Cumberland (Ky. 1999
26-0 Bud Fein, Bowling Green, Ky. Cumberland Lake (Ky.) 1998
12-12 Bill Matthews, Roscoe Lake Norfork (Ark.) 1998
12-5 Andrew Riddle, Rockford Lake Norfork (Ark.) 1999
12-0 Denny Vallem, Machesney Park Lake Norfolk (Ark.)2001
8-0 Merle Bodmer, Dixon Rock River (Ill.)2001
7-8 Clarence Axmark, Belvidere, Rend Lake (Ill.) 2000
7-8 Chad Burleson, Rock Falls, Rock River (Ill.) 2000
'WIPER' HYBRID BASS
7-6 Dick Hall, Sterling private pond (Ill.) 1996
2-0 Dave Young, Rockford Mississippi River (Iowa) 1997
WHITE BASS
4-8 Richard Whipler, Cherry Valley Kishwaukee River (Ill.) 1984
4-8 Carl O. Towns, Rockford Bull Shoals Lake (Ark.) 1991
3-8 Nita Dal Santo, Rockford Bull Shoals Lake (Ark.) 1982
3-8 Jack Dal Santo, Rockford Bull Shoals Lake (Ark.) 1982
3-8 Sam Cholke, Rockford Table Rock Lake (Ark.) 1989
3-8 Dale Bergstrom, Rockford Lake Galena (Ill.) 1993
3-8 Al Ward, Rockford Bull Shoals Lake (Ark.) 1993
3-6 Dr. Robert Moore, Caledonia White River (Ark.) 1997
3-4 Laverne Friday, Belvidere White River (Ark.) 1997
3-4 Mel Meling, Batavia White River (Ark.) 1997
ROCK BASS
2-8 Rick Carlson, Rockford Geneva Lake (Wis.) 1997
2-4 Judy Lord, Rockford White Earth Lake (Minn.) 1986
2-4 Joe Falzone, Rockford Rock Lake (Wis.) 1989
2-2 Joe Falzone, Rockford (r) private pond (Ill.) 1992
2-1 Judy Lord, Rockford White Earth Lake (Minn.) 1986
2-0 Bryce Davis, Caledonia (r) Sand Lake (Minn.)l 1999
2-0 Travis-Jeremiah Crawford, Belvidere Kishwaukee River (Ill.) 1988
2-0 Warren Solverson, Rockford (r) Lake Geneva (Wis.) 2005
1-14 Bryan Holder, Monroe Center Crow Wing Lake (Minn.) 1984
1-13 Bruce Seymour, Rockton (r) Crane Lake (Minn.) 1993
YELLOW BASS
2-0 Carol Zoellick, Marengo private pond (Ill.) 1983
1-9 Dick Wibom, Rockford Lake Mendota (Wis.) 1998
1-8 Dave Young, Rockford Mississippi River (Ill.) 1990
1-4 Tim Humphry, Belvidere Lake Marie (Ill.) 1988
1-1 Rodd Friday, Belvidere Lake Waubesa (Wis.) 1999
1-0 Dick Wibom, Rockford (r) Lake Kegonsa (Wis.)2004
1-0 Larry Giardini, Rockford Lake Marie (Ill.) 1988
1-0 Jason Humphry, Belvidere Lake Marie (Ill.) 1988
1-0 John Bright, Rockford Lake Marie (Ill.) 1988
1-0 Bob Ellison, Rockford (r) Kyte River (Ill.) 1993
SPOTTED (KENTUCKY) BASS
4-4 Don Hazlewood, Belvidere Table Rock Lake (Mo.)2002
4-0, Tim Spinker, Winnebago (r), Lake of the Ozarks (Mo.) 2007
3-8 Tim Spinker, Rockford (r) Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1995
3-3 Tim Spinker, Rockford (r) Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1997
3-0 Tim Spinker, Rockford (r) Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1995
3-0 Tim Spinker, Winnebago (r) Lake of the Ozarks (Mo.)2004
2-13 Tim Spinker, Rockford Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1996
2-11 Tim Spinker, Rockford Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1996
2-10 Tim Spinker, Rockford Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1996
2-8 Tim Spinker, Rockford (r) Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1995
2-8 Tim Spinker, Rockford (r) Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1995
2-8 Cecil Johnson, Rockford (r) Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1995
2-8 Tim Spinker, Rockford Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1996
2-8 Rodd Friday, Belvidere Table Rock Lake (Mo.)200
PEACOCK BASS
20-5 Lee Mitchell, RockfordAcara River (Brazil)2001
17-8 Gary Schreiner, Rock Falls (r) Cinaruco River (Venezuela) 1994
17-8 Al Wade, Prophetstown (r) Cinaruco River (Venezuela) 1994
16-8 Gary Schreiner, Rock Falls (r) Cinaruco River (Venezuela) 1996
16-0 Rick Miller, Blue Grass, Iowa (r) Cinaruco River (Venezuela) 1996
16-0 Bruce Mitchell, San Jose, Calif.Acara River (Brazil) 2001
14-12 Al Wade, Prophetstown (r) Cinaruco River (Venezuela) 1996
14-8 Greg Schreiner, Castle Rock, Colo. (r) Cinaruco River (Venezuela) 1994
14-8 Marvin Miller, Bettendorf, Iowa (r) Cinaruco River (Venezuela) 1996
14-0 Bill Duncan, Sterling (r) Cinaruco River (Venezuela) 1994
14-0 Bill Duncan, Sterling (r) Cinaruco River (Venezuela) 1996
WALLEYE
15-2 Jim Fisher, Janesville, Wis. Kiwanis Pond (Wis.) 1990
15-0 Bob Monehan, Cedarville Lake Saganaga (Minn.) 1983
14-8 Gene Fitzgerald, Rockford Lac Seul (Ont.) 1987
14-0 Rick Thompson, Rockford Attawapiskat River (Ont.) 1986
14-0 Don Bunjes, Rockford (r) Lake Trout (Ontario) 2005
13-12 Dave Leopold, Rockford Lake Erie (Ohio) 1995
13-8Bill Bursing, Loves ParkRock River (Ill.)2003
13-7 Orvin Anderson, Rockford Route Lake (Ont.) 1990
13-6 Jerry Tipping, Milton, Wis. Little Bay de Noc (Mich.) 1992
13-4 Mark Remmers, Chadwick Mississippi River (Wis.) 1999
13-3 Jerry Fisher, Roscoe (r) Little Bay de Noc (Mich.) 1992
SAUGER
5-6 Jason Schaver, Morrison (r)Rock River (Ill.)2001
5-6Dave Gustin, Machesney ParkIllinois River (Ill.)2003
4-10 Steve Messina, Rockford Wisconsin River (Wis.) 1989
4-10 Bruce Seymour, Rockton Illinois River (Ill.) 1991
4-9 Rick Henderson, Rockford Lake Petenwell (Wis.) 1983
4-7 Tom Way, Byron (r) Mississippi River (Wis.) 1992
4-7 Gary Schreiner, Rock Falls Rock River (Ill.) 1999
4-5 Tom Way, Byron Mississippi River (Wis.) 1987
4-5 Michael R. Cave, Loves Park Illinois River (Ill.) 1992
4-5 Bruce Seymour, Rockton (r) Illinois River (Ill.) 1994
SAUGEYE
6-9 Jerry Fisher, Roscoe (r) Illinois River (Ill.) 1993
PERCH
2-2 Tom Way, Byron Mississippi River (Wis.) 1987
2-0 Bryan Holder, Monroe Center Mosher Lake (Ont.) 1983
2-0 Tom Merrick, Rockford (r) Abraham's Lake (Ont.) 1985
2-0 Brian Kolar, Seabrook, Texas Thousand Island Lake (Mich.) 1994
2-0Wally Butenschoen, MarengoDevils Lake (N.D.)2002
1-15Gary Swanson, BelvidereMississippi River (Wis.)2003
1-14 Stevie Minore Jr., Rockford Lac Vieux Desert (Wis.) 1997
1-12 Stevie Minore Jr., Rockford Lac Vieux Desert (Wis.) 1997
1-11 Steven Davis, Rockford private pond (Ill.) 1993
1-11 Paul Bertolasi, Rockford Eagle Lake (Ont.) 1995
NORTHERN PIKE
38-0 Derek Danekas, Leaf RiverEagle Lake (Ontario, Canada)2001
37-0 Jon Ortman, Oregon (r) Reindeer Lake (Sask.) 1993
36-8 Dr. Steve Minore, Rockford (r) Hatchet Lake (Sask.) 1998
34-0 George Holland, Sycamore (r)Reindeer Lake (Saskatchewan, Canada)2002
33-4 Todd Weaver, Machesney Park Trout Lake (Ont.) 1989
32-6 Tom Williams, Machesney Park (r) Lynx Paw Lake (Ont.) 1998
32-0 Robert Nowatzski, Janesville, Wis. (r) Plumb Tree Lake (Man.) 1990
32-0 Dr. Steve Minore, Rockford (r) Great Slave Lake (NWT) 1990
32-0 Dale Ferguson, Sycamore Little Vermillion Lake (Ont.) 1996
31-10 Joe Klinck, Cherry Valley (r)Innoko River (Alaska) 2001
CHAIN PICKEREL
6-11 Jeff Potter, Rockford Lake Istokpoga (Fla.) 1992
4-8 Bob Black, Rockford Walker River (Ala.) 1991
25'' Bob Grabbert, Loves Park (r) Lake Kissimmee (Fla.) 1994
24'' Lita Grabbert, Loves Park (r) Lake Kissimmee (Fla.) 1994
22'' Lita Grabbert, Loves Park (r) Lake Kissimmee (Fla.) 1995
21'' Bob Grabbert, Loves Park (r) Lake Kissimmee (Fla.) 1995
GRASS PICKEREL
17.5'' Alan Nelson, Belvidere (r) Spencer Park Pit (Ill.) 1992
15'' Alan Nelson, Belvidere (r) Spencer Park Pit (Ill.) 1992
MUSKIE
48-0 Dr. Mark Carlson, Rockford (r) Lac Seul (Ont.) 1998
45-0 Don Stadel, Elizabeth Eagle Lake (Ont.) 1994
43-11 Jordan Kingsbury, Lindenwood Lake of Woods (Ont.) 1991
42-4 Chris Culvey, Belvidere Lipsett Lake (Wis.) 1998
40-3 Luke Meverden, White Bear Lake, Minn. Leech Lake (Minn.) 1999
40-0 Kris Carlson, Rockford (r) Lac Seul (Ont.) 1998
40-0 Gary Cook, Loves Park (r) Lake Couderay (Wis.) 1998
40-0 Bob Greenblatt, Loves Park (r) Chippewa Flowage (Wis.) 1999
39-8 Tim Lozos, Rockford Lake of Woods (Ont.) 1984
39-8 Kent Swinson, Rockford (r) Clearwater Lake (Ont.) 1992
(Releases reported by length)
58”Luke Carlson, Rockford (r)Unnamed lake (Ontario, Canada) 2002
58” Ken Kail, Rockford (r) St. Lawrence River (Ontario) 2005
58” Mark Carlson, Rockford (r) St. Lawrence River (Ont.) 2007
56” Mark Carlson, Rockford (r) St. Lawrence River (Ont.) 2007
56" Luke Carlson, Rockford (r) Unnamed lake (Ontario, Canada) 2000
56” Jack Pertz, Rockton (r) Lac Seul (Ontario) 2005
55" Phil Blanck, Machesney Park (r)Lac Seul (Ontario, Canada)2001
55'' Jon Freidag, Pearl City Eagle Lake (Ont.) 1998
55'' James Carlson, Rockford Lake of Woods (Ont.) 1999
55"Ernie Dobbs, Rockford (r)Winnipeg River (Ontario, Canada)2002
CRAPPIE
3-3 Bruce Boardman, Rochelle (r) private pond (Ill.) 1995
3-0 Jim O'Connell, Freeport Kentucky Lake (Ky.) 1983
3-0 Dean Meador, Lanark Mississippi River (Ill.) 1993
3-0 Van Smith, Freeport Spring Lake (Ill.) 1994
2-15 Ken Spencer, Belvidere Kentucky Lake (Ky.) 1989
2-15 Julie Sparlin, Rockford Lake Puckaway (Wis.) 1993
2-15 Wally Butenschoen, Marengo Lake Fork (Texas) 1995
2-14 Bob McDaniel, Rockford Fence Lake (Wis.) 1992
2-14 Neil McLaughlin, Rockton Reelfoot Lake (Tenn.)2000
2-13 Joe Dover, Rockford Echo Lake (Wis.) 1993
2-13 Rudy Holmstrom, Geneseo Rainy Lake (Ont.) 1997
BLUEGILL
2-3 Judy Lord, Rockford White Earth Lake (Minn.) 1986
2-3 Bruce Boardman, Rochelle (r) private pond (Ill.) 1994
2-3 Larry Lundberg, Rockford (r) Four Lakes (Ill.) 1994
2-2 Judy Lord, Rockford White Earth Lake (Minn.) 1986
2-2 Joe Falzone, Rockford (r) Wisconsin River (Wis.) 1992
2-1 Carla Lundberg, Rockford (r) Kishwaukee River (Ill.) 1990
2-0 Judy Lord, Rockford White Earth Lake (Minn.) 1986
2-0 Dan Allen, Rockford Platte River (Neb.) 1992
2-0 Carole Allen, Rockford Yahara River (Wis.) 1993
2-0 Matt Stevens, South Beloit Leech Lake (Minn.) 1999
2-0 Matthew Williams, South Beloit Four Lakes (Ill.)2001
HYBRID BLUEGILL
14”, Matthew VanBrocklin, Loves Park (r), Four Lakes (Ill.) 2007
SUNFISH
1-12 Robert Ellison, Rockford (r)Private pond (Ill.) 2001
1-8 Brent Anderson, Belvidere (r) Pine Lake (Ill.)2004
1-4 Rose Breekha, Mount Carroll Kentucky Lake (Ky.)2002
1-1 Jack Graham, Rockford (r) Gettle's Pond (Ill.) 1983
1-1 Glenn Moss, Rockford Sand Lake (Wis.) 1984
1-1 Jack Graham, Rockford Lake Chetek (Wis.) 1988
1-0 Jack Graham, Rockford Big McKenzie Lake (Wis.) 1987
1-0 Larry Pellegrino, Roscoe Rabidu Lake (Minn.) 1989
1-0 Robert Ellison, Rockford (r) private pond (Ill.) 1994
1-0 Robert Ellison, Rockford (r)Private lake (Wis.) 2001
PUMPKINSEED
0-14 Ray Schubert, Freeport Big Lake Chetac (Wis.) 1983
0-12 Rodd Friday, Belvidere Geneva Lake (Wis.) 1997
0-12 Rodd Friday, Belvidere Delavan Lake (Wis.) 1998
0-12 Jim Hess, Byron (r) Delavan Lake (Wis.) 1999
0-12 Jim Hess, Byron (r), Fond du Lac (Wis.)2000
0-9 Lloyd Ward Jr., Rockford Bull Shoals Lake (Ark.) 1994
0-8 Red Dzielak, Loves Park Lake Monona (Wis.) 1983
0-8 Mark Hackney, Rockford Kishwaukee River (Ill.) 1984
0-8 Al Ward, Rockford Bull Shoals Lake (Ark.) 1992
0-8 Al Ward, Rockford Bull Shoals Lake (Ark.) 1994
WARMOUTH
0-13 Nancy Lamont, South Beloit Lake Victoria (Ill.) 1991
0-12 Samatha Carlson, Loves Park Four Lakes (Ill.) 1998
0-6 Janet Myers, Poplar Grove (r) Lake Carlton (Ill.) 1993
11”, Johnathon King, Rockford (r), Private pond (Ill.) 2007
11” Brent Nix, Rockford (r) Private lake (Ill.) 2005
10" David R. Young, Rockford (r) Mississippi River (Iowa)2000
CHANNEL CATFISH
30-8 Dan Sadewater, Rockford Island Lake (Wis.) 1983
30-0 Ward Gooding, Justice Rock River (Ill.) 1990
30-0 Dr. Donald Hajek, Rockford (r) Red River (Man.) 1992
30-0 Mike Zintak, Rockton (r)Lake Mendota (Wis.)2001
29-12 Jeff Schober, Beloit, Wis. gravel pit (Wis.) 1982
29-1.25 Doug Hajek, Arlington Heights (r) Red River (Man.) 1992
28-8 Steve Dresser, South Beloit Easterwood Lake (Ark.) 1989
28-0 Dr. Donald Hajek, Rockford (r) Red River (Man.) 1992
28-0 Doug Hajek, Arlington Heights (r) Red River (Man.) 1992
27-0 Virgil Brockman, Belvidere (r)Red River (Manitoba, Canada) 2001
27-0 Mel Eichman, South Beloit (r) Madison Chain (Wis.) 2005
FLATHEAD CATFISH
65-2Kevin Winter, RockfordFox River (Wis.)2002
64-2 Stan Bennett, Kingston (r) Rock River (Ill.) 2007
63-8 Randy St. Cin, Rockford (r) Martin Park pond (Ill.) 2007
63-4 Jerry Sanders, SterlingRock River (Ill.)2000
58-0 Bud Hanvy, RockfordRock River (Ill.) 2001
55-2Ray Allen, ShabbonaRock River (Ill.)2004
55-4 Mike Holloway, Rock FallsRock River (Ill.) 2001
55-0 Joe Dyer, Rock Falls Rock River (Ill.) 1985
55-0 Charles Richards, Rock Falls Rock River (Ill.) 1987
55-0 Mike Elder, Harmon (r) Rock River (Ill.) 1999
55-0 Will Tackett, Freeport (r) Rock River (Ill.) 2005
BLUE CATFISH
40-0 Scott Hermann, Belvidere (r) Tennessee River (Tenn.) 2005
36-0 Mel Eichman, South Beloit Santee Cooper River (S.C.) 2005
31-0, Richard Gribbins, Oregon (r), Lake Texoma (Texas) 2007
25-8 Tracy Smith, German Valley Lake of Ozarks (Mo.) 1988
25-5 Tony Robertson, Steward Tennessee River (Tenn.) 2006
25-0 Nick May, Sterling (r) Lake Marion (S.C.) 1997
21-8 Dave Williamson, Sterling Rock River (Ill.) 1997
20-11 Mike Thompson, Warren Apple Canyon Lake (Ill.) 1986
18-6 Lyle Towns, Mount Morris private pond (Ill.) 1982
18-0 Lois Abel, Marengo Lake Kegonsa (Wis.) 1994
15-3 Barry Mikels, Rockford Rock River (Wis.) 2003
15-0 Buck Baker, Rochelle Greers Ferry Lake (Ark.) 1982
14-11 Eric Bryon, Tampico Mississippi River (Ill.)2000