Community Bulletin
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia state record for pumpkinseed sunfish was set June 25 by Ken Neer of Morgantown and broken July 14 by Sierra Adamson of Beverly, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
“The pumpkinseed state record category was established in 2024 along with redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, black crappie and redhorse sucker,” said Wildlife Resources Chief Paul Johansen. “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.”
Neer caught a 9.09-inch, 0.60-pound pumpkinseed sunfish June 25 from Fairfax Pond at Rehe Wildlife Management Area in Preston County. He used red worms on a 4-pound test line. District 1 fisheries biologist Dustin Smith certified the record.
Adamson landed a record-breaking pumpkinseed sunfish July 14 from the Tygart Valley River in Randolph County. The fish measured 9.13 inches and weighed 0.62 pounds. She used a nightcrawler and 10-pound test line. WVDNR fisheries biologist Stephen Floyd certified the new record at the Elkins Operation Center.
State fish record categories are listed on Page 24 of the West Virginia Fishing Regulations Summary. Information about the Trophy Fish Citation and Master Angler programs is on Page 27.
All anglers 15 and older must have a West Virginia fishing license, which may be purchased at WVfish.com. A trout stamp is required when fishing for trout.
