NEW CARLISLE, OH — September 29, 2025 — A local fisherman has set a new Ohio record after reeling in a massive striped bass at Kiser Lake.
George Bruggeman, 71 of New Carlisle, Ohio, caught the record-breaking striper weighing 37.375 pounds. Measuring 41.81 inches long with a girth of 27.36 inches, the impressive fish was hooked using just half a nightcrawler as bait on a spinning rod with eight-pound Trilene line.
Interestingly, Bruggeman was originally fishing for bluegills and yellow perch when the enormous bass struck, making the catch even more surprising.
The record was verified by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio State Record Fish Committee, confirming Bruggeman’s striper as the largest ever recorded in the state.
This extraordinary catch highlights both the surprises and excitement of Ohio’s freshwater fishing scene, with Kiser Lake continuing to be a hotspot for anglers seeking trophy fish.
