Angler Catches 71-Pound World Record Fish, Then Lets It Go

After two years of patient tracking, Jakob Mackey finally landed the fish of his dreams at Bacon Creek Park this past August.

The Sioux City angler caught a massive grass carp weighing 71 pounds and 8 ounces. That shattered the previous world record, caught in Japan, by more than 20 pounds.

The moment Mackey hooked the fish, his rod shot out into the water. He managed to grab it just in time, saving himself from an unexpected swim.

"It was the fish I had been after, and it was the size I had been after," Mackey said. "I started freaking out. I got the adrenaline shakes and everything."

The fish earned its nickname as the "King of the Lake" by putting up an incredible fight. When Mackey finally got her into his 42-inch net, she broke right through it.

"It's meant to be very sturdy, but when the fish initially took off after I got it into the net, this side just went crack and broke," Mackey explained. Despite the expensive damage, he's keeping the broken net as a memento.

To qualify for the International Game Fish Association world record, Mackey had to land the fish entirely by himself. About 20 people came running over to help, but he had to respectfully decline their assistance.

Once secured, the catch became an instant sensation. Onlookers crowded around asking to take photos and videos, amazed that such a massive fish lived in their local park.

Why This Inspires

Mackey's decision to release the record-breaking fish back into Bacon Creek speaks volumes about his character. He could have kept the trophy of a lifetime, but instead chose to give others the same opportunity.

The "King of the Lake" still swims in Bacon Creek today, waiting for the next angler. Mackey hopes people will continue the catch-and-release tradition so more fishermen can experience the joy of landing a world record.

His two-year pursuit paid off in the best possible way: with a story he'll tell forever and a gift he shared with his entire community.