Jack Backman was targeting walleye at Wall Lake when an unexpected one-pound pumpkinseed turned an ordinary June fishing trip into a South Dakota record-breaking moment
The Jack Backman record sunfish catch has become a remarkable fishing story after the South Dakota angler landed a giant pumpkinseed while targeting an entirely different species.
Backman, of Harrisburg, South Dakota, was fishing with his friend Garrett Johnson at Wall Lake when he spotted a fish with forward-facing sonar. Initially believing the fish could be a crappie, Backman cast toward it and received an immediate strike.
What eventually reached the boat was something much more unusual: a remarkably large pumpkinseed, a colorful member of the sunfish family.
The fish officially weighed 1 pound on a certified scale, beating South Dakota’s previous pumpkinseed record of 12 ounces.
That earlier mark had stood since 1970, meaning Backman’s unexpected catch ended a state record that had survived for approximately 56 years.
The story becomes even more interesting because Backman said he had fished Wall Lake before without realizing pumpkinseed were present there.
Key Points Summary
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ – Jack Backman caught a record pumpkinseed at Wall Lake in South Dakota. ║
║ – The fish officially weighed exactly 1 pound on a certified scale. ║
║ – Backman was targeting walleye rather than pumpkinseed when the fish struck. ║
║ – He initially believed the fish showing on his sonar might be a crappie. ║
║ – The previous South Dakota pumpkinseed record weighed 12 ounces. ║
║ – That previous record had stood since 1970, making it roughly 56 years old. ║
║ – South Dakota officially accepted Backman’s pumpkinseed as the new state record. ║
║ – Backman plans to have the remarkable fish mounted by a taxidermist. ║
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Who Is Jack Backman?
Jack Backman is an angler from Harrisburg, South Dakota, who suddenly found himself in the fishing record books during the summer of 2026.
According to the account of his catch, Backman is preparing to become a freshman at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown.
Fishing was already familiar territory for him.
Backman had caught pumpkinseed in other states, including Iowa and North Dakota, but he was not expecting to encounter one during this particular trip.
In fact, pumpkinseed were not his target at all.
He and his friend had gone to Wall Lake looking for walleye.
Instead, one unexpected cast produced a South Dakota record.
Where Did Jack Backman Catch the Record Fish?
Backman’s record-breaking pumpkinseed came from Wall Lake in South Dakota.
The fishing trip took place on June 18.
Backman and his friend Garrett Johnson were fishing from Backman’s 18-foot aluminum boat.
They began their outing at approximately 3 p.m.
For the first couple of hours, nothing suggested that they were about to become part of South Dakota fishing history.
That changed at around 5:30 p.m.
Backman noticed a fish using the forward-facing sonar on his boat.
The fish was suspended relatively close to the surface in considerably deeper water.
That sonar mark caught his attention.
Jack Backman Was Actually Fishing for Walleye
Perhaps the most interesting detail about the record is that Backman was not attempting to catch a pumpkinseed.
His target was walleye.
That makes the catch a classic example of how unpredictable fishing can become.
An angler can select tackle, location and techniques for one species only to encounter something completely unexpected.
When Backman noticed the fish on sonar, its relatively small size made him think it might be a crappie rather than the walleye he was seeking.
He decided to cast anyway.
That decision produced the record.
How Jack Backman Spotted the Fish
Modern fishing electronics played an important role in the catch.
Backman was using forward-facing sonar, technology that allows anglers to observe fish and underwater activity in front of the boat in real time.
He spotted the fish suspended approximately two feet below the surface in around 14 feet of water.
It was positioned roughly 30 feet from a tree.
Backman could see that the fish was smaller than the walleye he had been searching for.
But it was large enough to attract his attention.
He made a cast toward it.
What Bait Did Jack Backman Use?
Backman caught the record pumpkinseed using relatively straightforward tackle.
He cast a 1/4-ounce black tungsten jig tipped with a full nightcrawler.
His spinning setup included 10-pound braided fishing line connected to an 8-pound fluorocarbon leader.
The fish reacted immediately.
Backman initially thought he had hooked a good crappie.
Only when the fish came closer and its distinctive colors became visible did he realize what he had actually caught.
It was a pumpkinseed—and a very large one.
What Is a Pumpkinseed Fish?
A pumpkinseed is a freshwater fish belonging to the sunfish family.
Its scientific name is Lepomis gibbosus.
Pumpkinseed are recognizable for their colorful appearance.
Depending on the fish and conditions, their bodies can display combinations of blue, green, orange and yellow.
Their appearance makes them one of the more visually striking members of the sunfish family.
Pumpkinseed are generally much smaller than popular sportfish such as walleye, largemouth bass or northern pike.
That is one reason a one-pound specimen can be significant enough to enter a state record book.
Is a Pumpkinseed a Sunfish?
Yes.
A pumpkinseed is a member of the Centrarchidae, or sunfish, family.
That family also contains several familiar North American freshwater fish.
Because pumpkinseed are sunfish, Backman’s catch may naturally be described in general conversation as a record sunfish.
For record-keeping purposes, however, the specific species matters.
Backman’s official South Dakota record is for pumpkinseed.
That distinction is important because states generally maintain separate fishing records for individual species rather than grouping every member of the sunfish family together.
How Big Was Jack Backman’s Record Pumpkinseed?
Backman’s pumpkinseed officially weighed 1 pound.
That may not sound enormous compared with trophy bass, catfish or northern pike.
For a pumpkinseed, however, it was exceptional.
More importantly, it was significantly heavier than the existing South Dakota record.
The previous state record was only 12 ounces.
Backman’s fish therefore added four ounces to the previous mark—a substantial increase for a relatively small panfish species.
Jack Backman Didn’t Have a Scale in the Boat
The story took another unusual turn after Backman landed the fish.
He and Johnson did not have a scale available in the boat.
At first, therefore, they did not know exactly how much the pumpkinseed weighed.
But they soon learned that South Dakota’s existing record was only 12 ounces.
Looking at Backman’s fish, they suspected it might be heavier.
Rather than dismissing the possibility, they decided to investigate.
That decision was essential.
Without obtaining an official weight and completing the necessary verification, an exceptional fish might simply have remained an impressive personal catch.
A Friend’s Scale Provided the First Clue
Backman and Johnson contacted a friend who had a fishing scale.
When they met him and weighed the pumpkinseed, the scale indicated that the fish was slightly heavier than one pound.
That was enough to confirm their suspicion.
They potentially had a state record.
But an ordinary recreational fishing scale was not enough for official certification.
A state record requires reliable documentation.
The anglers therefore needed access to a certified scale.
That led them somewhere anglers do not normally expect to take a potentially historic fish.
The Record Fish Was Weighed at a Grocery Store
Backman needed a certified scale.
A nearby grocery store provided the solution.
The anglers reportedly convinced an employee to weigh the pumpkinseed using the store’s certified equipment.
The official reading was one pound.
That measurement was critical because it established that Backman’s pumpkinseed had comfortably surpassed the existing South Dakota record.
The unusual grocery-store stop transformed an exciting fishing story into something that could potentially be formally recognized.
Which Record Did Jack Backman Break?
Before Backman’s catch, South Dakota’s state-record pumpkinseed weighed 12 ounces.
The fish had been caught by Pat McCart in 1970 at Lake Carthage.
For decades, nobody had produced a heavier pumpkinseed that met the state’s requirements for a new record.
Backman’s one-pound fish changed that.
One pound equals 16 ounces, meaning his pumpkinseed exceeded the old record by four ounces.
For a species of this size, that represents a significant improvement.
Jack Backman Breaks a 56-Year-Old Fishing Record
The age of the previous record makes the catch particularly noteworthy.
The former record dated to 1970.
Backman’s fish was caught in 2026.
That means the old South Dakota pumpkinseed record had survived for approximately 56 years.
Fishing records can be extremely difficult to break.
Some survive for decades because the combination required to produce an exceptional fish—genetics, food supply, habitat, age and favorable environmental conditions—is relatively rare.
Anglers also need to be in exactly the right place at the right time.
Backman accomplished that while pursuing a completely different species.
How Was the Jack Backman Record Verified?
Catching a large fish does not automatically make it an official state record.
Verification is an important part of the process.
Backman’s fish was weighed on a certified scale.
The weighing was documented on video.
Paperwork was then completed for record authorization.
The fish was subsequently accepted as the new South Dakota state-record pumpkinseed.
That official recognition separates the catch from an unofficial fishing claim.
Why Certified Scales Matter for Fishing Records
Certified scales are important because fishing records depend on accurate measurements.
Consumer fishing scales can be useful for recreational purposes, but even a small difference can determine whether a fish qualifies for a record.
That is especially true with smaller species.
For a pumpkinseed, a difference of only a few ounces is substantial.
Backman therefore needed a verified weight rather than relying solely on the initial reading from his friend’s scale.
The grocery store measurement supplied that official number.
Garrett Johnson’s Role in the Record Catch
Backman was not fishing alone.
His friend Garrett Johnson was with him throughout the experience.
After Backman hooked the pumpkinseed and guided it toward the boat, Johnson helped net the fish.
Landing a potentially record-sized fish safely can be just as important as hooking it.
A fish can escape during the final seconds beside the boat.
In this case, Johnson’s netting helped ensure the pumpkinseed actually made it aboard.
The two friends then worked through the unusual process of figuring out whether the fish could qualify for a record.
Why the Catch Surprised Jack Backman
Backman had previously fished Wall Lake.
But he said he had never seen or caught a pumpkinseed there.
He was familiar with the species because he had encountered pumpkinseed while fishing in Iowa and North Dakota.
Seeing one in Wall Lake therefore came as a surprise.
State fisheries personnel indicated that pumpkinseed are present in the lake.
The record catch provides dramatic evidence that at least one of those fish had reached an exceptional size.
What Is Wall Lake?
Wall Lake is a relatively small South Dakota fishery compared with enormous reservoirs and major natural lakes.
The lake covers approximately 220 acres according to the account of Backman’s catch.
For anglers, smaller lakes can sometimes produce surprising trophy fish.
Fish growth depends on numerous factors beyond the overall size of a body of water.
Food availability, competition, habitat and environmental conditions can all influence growth.
Backman’s pumpkinseed demonstrates why anglers should not automatically assume that record-class fish can only come from famous trophy destinations.
How Does Jack Backman’s Fish Compare With the World Record?
Backman’s pumpkinseed is a South Dakota state record, not the world record.
The International Game Fish Association’s all-tackle pumpkinseed record is significantly heavier.
The recognized world-record pumpkinseed weighed 1 pound, 8 ounces.
It was caught by New York angler Robert Warne in 2016.
Backman’s one-pound fish is therefore eight ounces lighter than that world-record specimen.
Nevertheless, his catch is significant because it establishes a new benchmark for South Dakota.
Could an Even Bigger Pumpkinseed Be in Wall Lake?
That question will inevitably interest local anglers.
One record fish does not prove that larger specimens are present.
But it does demonstrate that Wall Lake has produced conditions capable of supporting a pumpkinseed to at least one pound.
Backman’s surprise at finding the species there adds another intriguing element.
If pumpkinseed have been overlooked by anglers primarily targeting other fish, there may be limited knowledge about their population and maximum size within the lake.
That could encourage more anglers to pay attention to smaller sonar targets and colorful panfish.
Why Pumpkinseed Are Popular With Anglers
Pumpkinseed are not typically pursued with the same intensity as walleye, bass or trophy pike.
However, panfish have an enthusiastic following.
Their appeal comes partly from accessibility.
Pumpkinseed can be caught using relatively light fishing equipment.
They can also provide excellent action for younger or less experienced anglers.
Large specimens add another dimension because trophy panfish can be surprisingly difficult to locate.
A fish approaching or exceeding one pound can therefore become a memorable catch.
Forward-Facing Sonar Played a Key Role
Backman’s catch also highlights the growing influence of forward-facing sonar in modern fishing.
Traditional sonar primarily shows what is beneath a boat.
Forward-facing systems allow anglers to scan water in front of them and observe individual fish.
Backman saw the eventual record fish before making his cast.
He could identify its location in relation to nearby structure and place his bait close enough to trigger an immediate reaction.
Without that electronic information, he might never have known the fish was there.
But Technology Didn’t Tell Him It Was a Record
The sonar helped locate the fish, but it did not reveal the complete story.
Backman initially thought the mark might represent a crappie.
Only after the fish struck and approached the boat did he recognize the pumpkinseed’s colors.
Even then, he did not immediately know it was a state record.
The anglers had to research the existing record, locate a scale and eventually find certified weighing equipment.
Technology therefore helped create the opportunity, but traditional angling skills and careful verification completed the story.
What Will Happen to the Record Fish?
Backman did not immediately have the pumpkinseed mounted.
Instead, he kept the fish frozen while dealing with other responsibilities.
He said he intends to have a taxidermist create a mount.
That would provide a permanent reminder of an extremely unlikely fishing experience.
Mounted record fish can also preserve details of the specimen’s appearance and size for years after the catch.
Given the pumpkinseed’s distinctive coloration, Backman has good reason to want the fish preserved.
Why This Record Is Unusual
Fishing records are often the result of deliberate trophy hunting.
Anglers may spend years targeting a particular species.
They study locations, seasonal movements, feeding patterns and tackle choices specifically in pursuit of an exceptional specimen.
Backman’s story is almost the opposite.
He was looking for walleye.
He saw a smaller fish.
He thought it might be a crappie.
He made a cast.
Only afterward did he discover that the fish was a pumpkinseed capable of rewriting South Dakota’s record book.
That unexpected sequence is what makes the catch especially memorable.
Jack Backman Record Sunfish Catch Shows Why Every Cast Matters
The story also illustrates one of fishing’s greatest attractions: uncertainty.
An angler can have a detailed plan and still encounter something completely different.
Backman’s trip began as an ordinary afternoon of walleye fishing.
A few hours later, he had a fish that would replace a state record dating back to 1970.
Had he ignored the smaller sonar target because it did not look like a walleye, the record pumpkinseed might have remained in Wall Lake unnoticed.
Instead, one opportunistic cast produced fishing history.
FAQs
Q: What did Jack Backman catch?
A: Jack Backman caught a one-pound pumpkinseed, a freshwater fish belonging to the sunfish family.
Q: Did Jack Backman catch a record sunfish?
A: Backman’s fish was officially recognized as South Dakota’s state-record pumpkinseed. Pumpkinseed are members of the sunfish family.
Q: How much did Jack Backman’s record fish weigh?
A: The pumpkinseed officially weighed 1 pound on a certified scale.
Q: Where did Jack Backman catch the record pumpkinseed?
A: He caught it at Wall Lake in South Dakota.
Q: When did Jack Backman catch the fish?
A: The record pumpkinseed was caught on June 18, 2026.
Q: What was Jack Backman fishing for?
A: Backman was targeting walleye when he spotted the fish with forward-facing sonar.
Q: What did Jack Backman initially think the fish was?
A: Because of its size, he initially thought the sonar target might be a crappie.
Q: What bait did Jack Backman use?
A: He used a 1/4-ounce black tungsten jig tipped with a full nightcrawler.
Q: What was the previous South Dakota pumpkinseed record?
A: The previous record was a 12-ounce pumpkinseed caught by Pat McCart in 1970.
Q: How long had the previous pumpkinseed record stood?
A: The previous South Dakota record had stood for approximately 56 years.
Q: How was Jack Backman’s fish officially weighed?
A: After an initial check on a recreational scale, the fish was weighed on a certified scale at a nearby grocery store.
Q: Who was fishing with Jack Backman?
A: His friend Garrett Johnson was with him and helped net the record fish.
Q: Is a pumpkinseed the same as a sunfish?
A: Pumpkinseed are a specific species within the sunfish family. Backman’s official record is specifically for pumpkinseed.
Q: Is Jack Backman’s pumpkinseed a world record?
A: No. It is a South Dakota state record. The IGFA all-tackle world record is a 1-pound, 8-ounce pumpkinseed caught by Robert Warne in 2016.
Q: What is Jack Backman doing with the fish?
A: Backman has kept the fish frozen and said he plans to have it mounted by a taxidermist.
Final Thoughts
The Jack Backman record sunfish catch is the kind of fishing story that demonstrates why an ordinary day on the water can suddenly become unforgettable.
Backman did not arrive at Wall Lake specifically hunting for a state-record pumpkinseed. He was pursuing walleye when forward-facing sonar revealed a smaller fish suspended in the water.
One cast changed everything.
The fish he initially suspected could be a crappie turned out to be a giant pumpkinseed. After a trip to obtain an official certified weight, the fish registered at exactly one pound—four ounces heavier than South Dakota’s previous record.
More remarkably, the old mark had survived since 1970.
That means Backman’s unexpected catch replaced a record approximately 56 years old and put both the young angler and Wall Lake into South Dakota fishing history.
For Backman, the future taxidermy mount will represent more than a large panfish. It will preserve the memory of an afternoon when a walleye fishing trip unexpectedly produced a state record.
Could an even bigger pumpkinseed be hiding in Wall Lake? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay updated for more record catches and remarkable fishing stories.