Connor Merritt

On September 22, 2024, New York angler Dante Piraino of Baldwinsville reeled in an unforgettable catch that set a new smallmouth bass record in the state. The nine pounder was caught during a bass tournament on the St. Lawrence River near Ogdensburg in St. Lawrence County: Using a soft plastic lure, Piraino hauled the fish up from 30 feet of water, surpassing the previous state record set in 2022 by eight ounces, according to a press release by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). 

The New York Smallmouth Bass Record 

Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar celebrated the milestone, saying: “New York provides some of the best bass fishing in the country, and Mr. Piraino’s incredible catch is a testament to the outstanding angler opportunities across the state. There’s nothing better than spending time with family and friends on the water pursuing these exciting sportfish.” 

Smallmouth bass, affectionately called “smallies” by anglers, are found in cooler waters across New York. Their preferred habitats include rocky and gravelly areas of lakes, rivers, and creeks. In addition to the St. Lawrence River, top smallmouth destinations in the state include Lake Erie, Lake Champlain, and Cayuga Lake. 

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A Banner Year for Anglers 

This record adds to a banner year for New York anglers, with two other state records broken in 2024: James Britenbaugh of Pennsylvania landed a 12-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bass in July from Cayuga Lake, and Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton reeled in a 15-pound, 14-ounce longnose gar in June from Butterfield Lake. 

Piraino’s achievement was officially recognized through the DEC’s Angler Achievement Awards Program this September, which tracks state-record fish and offers anglers recognition for their catches. The program aligns with Governor Kathy Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative, which encourages outdoor recreation for mental and physical well-being.

Read more smallmouth bass record stories and other fish on iSportsmanUSA.

Photos courtesy of Dante Piraino.