North Dakota State Record Paddlefish: 131 lb
The North Dakota state record paddlefish weighed 131 lb and measured 74 inches. It was caught in 2024 from Yellowstone River by Tyler Hughes, and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department still recognizes it as the state mark 2 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Yellowstone River. We don't carry a water-quality grade for it: our index covers standing lakes with enough EPA Water Quality Portal samples to score, which leaves out rivers and tributaries, Great Lakes water, and smaller ponds that are rarely sampled. Browse the North Dakota lakes we do grade instead.
Paddlefish records by state
North Dakota ranks 1 of 2 among the states in our index for record paddlefish. No state we track has produced a heavier one.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota (this page) | 131 lb | 2024 | Yellowstone River |
| 2 | South Dakota | 127 lb 9 oz | 2014 | Lake Francis Case |
Each figure comes from that state's own fisheries agency. Agencies differ on what they certify — some recognize catch-and-release length records alongside weight — so treat this as a comparison of standing certified weights, not a single national list.
How it ranks inside North Dakota
At 131 lb, the paddlefish is the heaviest of the 16 standing North Dakota records. 13 North Dakota records have stood longer, the paddlefish mark dating to 2024.