South Dakota State Record Paddlefish: 127 lb 9 oz
The South Dakota state record paddlefish weighed 127 lb 9 oz. It was caught in 2014 from Lake Francis Case by Bill Harmon, and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks still recognizes it as the state mark 12 years later.
Where the record came from
The record came from Lake Francis Case. 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 South Dakota lakes we do grade instead.
Paddlefish records by state
South Dakota ranks 2 of 2 among the states in our index for record paddlefish. North Dakota holds the heaviest at 131 lb, set in 2024.
| # | State | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 131 lb | 2024 | Yellowstone River |
| 2 | South Dakota (this page) | 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 South Dakota
At 127 lb 9 oz, the paddlefish is the heaviest of the 20 standing South Dakota records. 12 South Dakota records have stood longer, the paddlefish mark dating to 2014.