CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A state record for pumpkinseed sunfish set in June was quickly shattered the following month.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced Thursday that Ken Neer, of Morgantown, caught a 9.09-inch, 0.60-pound pumpkinseed sunfish on June 25. Neer caught the fish at the Fairfax Pond at Rehe Wildlife Management Area in Preston County, using red worms on a 4-pound test line. The record was certified by District 1 fisheries biologist Dustin Smith.
Sierra Adamson, of Beverly, promptly broke Neer’s record on July 14. Her record-breaking fish was 9.13 inches and weighed 0.62 pounds. She caught the fish from the Tygart Valley River in Randolph County, using a nightcrawler and a 10-pound test line. Her record was verified by WVDNR fisheries biologist Stephen Floyd at the Elkins Operation Center.
“The pumpkinseed state record category was established in 2024 along with redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, black crappie and redhorse sucker,” Wildlife Resources Chief Paul Johansen said. “Until this year, a record pumpkinseed sunfish hadn’t been caught. Now we’ve had two in the last few weeks. Fishing in West Virginia is the place to be in the East.”
Learn more about state fish record categories here.
The WVDNR gave a reminder that anglers 15 and older must have a West Virginia fishing license, available to purchase here.