Iowa Fisherman Lands 71-Pound World Record Grass Carp

Jakob Mackey-Frazier spent two years waking up before dawn, fishing in brutal heat, and running on two hours of sleep to prove a simple point: Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City is a great place to fish.

On August 10, 2025, his dedication paid off in the most spectacular way possible. He reeled in a grass carp weighing 71 pounds and 8 ounces, shattering the previous world record of 55 pounds set in Japan six years earlier.

The International Game Fish Association made it official in March 2026, certifying Mackey-Frazier's catch as the new world record for grass carp caught with a 30-pound weighted line. Sioux City now has its first fishing world record.

But this wasn't just about landing a trophy fish. Mackey-Frazier grew up fishing at Bacon Creek with his father, carrying on a family tradition that started with his great-grandfather, who caught a 103-pound catfish from the Missouri River in the 1930s.

"People always look down and talk down on it," Mackey-Frazier said about Bacon Creek Park. "I never liked that. That's what got the fire started inside of me to prove everybody wrong."

He suited up in full silicone waders through countless summer days, pushing himself to the point of heat exhaustion. Every fishing trip was fueled by a determination to show people what the park's waters could produce.

Why This Inspires

Mackey-Frazier's journey reminds us that the best wins often come from defending what others dismiss. He didn't chase this record for glory alone. He did it to honor a place that meant something to him and his family, even when nobody else believed in it.

His Facebook post captured it perfectly: "This catch is a testament to the rewards of perseverance and the indomitable human spirit, doing what people told you is impossible."

Now, instead of hearing criticism about his favorite fishing spot, strangers stop him on the street to congratulate him. The recognition has exceeded anything he imagined, transforming not just his reputation but how his entire community sees Bacon Creek Park.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is prove that overlooked places and underestimated dreams are worth fighting for.