A publication of the Telfair County Chamber of Commerce

On June 2, 1932, a 19-year-old farm boy named George W. Perry caught the world-record largemouth bass in Telfair County, Georgia, weighing an astonishing 22 pounds, 4 ounces.

The Historic Catch

• Location: Montgomery Lake, an oxbow slough off the Ocmulgee River located between Lumber City and Jacksonville, Georgia on the Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area.
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• Purpose: Perry and his friend Jack Page went fishing to put food on the table during the Great Depression.
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• The Gear: It was caught using Perry's only lure, a Creek Chub jointed Minnow (historically cited as a Wigglefish or a Fintail Shiner).
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• Dimensions: The fish measured 32.5 inches in length and 28.5 inches in girth.
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The Legacy and Record Status

• The Record: The catch officially broke the previous record by over two pounds. It was certified and notarized in Helena, Georgia.
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• Current Standing: It held the absolute world record exclusively for 77 years until 2009, when Manabu Kurita caught a 22-pound, 5-ounce bass in Japan. Because International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules require a new record to beat the old one by at least two ounces, the two catches are now officially tied for the world record
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• State Symbol: This monumental catch is the primary reason the largemouth bass was designated as Georgia’s Official State Fish in 1970.
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• Visiting Today: A historical marker commemorates the spot on Georgia State Route 117. The location is now part of the Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area, managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
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If you plan to visit the historic site, I can provide the exact directions to the marker or details on fishing regulations within the Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area.