Andy Kilen Sets Minnesota Catch-and-Release Largemouth Bass Record at Lura Lake

A 22.5-inch largemouth bass caught in southern Minnesota's weed-heavy waters becomes the state's first official catch-and-release record.

August 27, 2026 · bass fishing, Minnesota, Lura Lake, catch and release, spinnerbaits

Andy Kilen set a new state record for largemouth bass on May 16 while fishing Lura Lake in southern Minnesota. The 76-year-old angler from Rochester, Minnesota, was accompanied by his grandsons, Gabriel and Elijah Schouten, when they caught the fish in the lake’s shallow, vegetation-heavy waters.

Tackle and Technique for Weedy Conditions

Lura Lake is characterized by its heavy weed growth and a population of northern pike and largemouth bass. According to Outdoor Life, Kilen chose specific gear to navigate these conditions, utilizing baitcasting tackle with 15-pound test braided line and an 80-pound test fluorocarbon leader. The heavy leader was selected primarily to withstand the teeth of the lake’s northern pike.

To target the bass among the weeds, Kilen used a 3/8-ounce orange spinnerbait equipped with large Colorado-style blades. He employed a quick retrieve technique, keeping the lure near the surface and above the vegetation. The strike occurred in approximately five feet of water, just off the bank. While fishing for bass, the group also caught several small pike and a 26-inch walleye on spinnerbaits.

Official Certification and Weight Estimates

While Kilen initially estimated the fish to be 23 inches long, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) certified the measurement at 22.5 inches after reviewing photographs taken against the markings on a landing net handle. This measurement established the first catch-and-release record for largemouth bass in Minnesota under a program expanded by the DNR in 2024, which now includes 17 other species.

Because Kilen followed his standard practice of releasing all caught fish, no official weight was recorded. However, the anglers noted the fish had a thick body and a swollen belly, indicating it was a female ripe with roe. Based on length-to-weight conversion charts, the fish could have weighed between 5.5 pounds and 8.5 pounds, though Kilen believes it may have reached up to 9 pounds.

Comparison to Previous Records

This new catch-and-release record differs from the state’s certified weight record for largemouth bass. That previous record was set in 2005 by Mark Raveling at Auburn Lake in Carver County, where he caught a fish weighing 8 pounds, 15 ounces with a length of 23.5 inches.

Lura Lake, located near Mapleton, covers between 1,300 and 1,360 acres depending on the source. It reaches a maximum depth of nine feet but averages less than five feet, providing an ideal environment for aquatic vegetation. Kilen noted that while the weeds are currently thick in the summer months, he plans to return to Lura Lake this fall when the vegetation begins to die back.