Current World Record Northern Pike: The Heaviest Ever Caught

The largest northern pike caught by an angler weighed 55 pounds 1 ounce and was caught by angler Lothar Lui in Germany in 1986.

In this article, we will look at the records for northern fishing according to the International Angling Association (IGFA).

IGFA World Record for Northern PikeAll Length Records for Northern PikeOther Pike RecordsCanadaSwedenUSA Pike RecordsLargest Pike Caught in the USASome Major State Records for Pike

IGFA All Tackle World Record Northern Pike

On October 16, 1986, angler Lothar Louis set the IGFA world record for northern pike while on a fishing trip at Lake Grefern, Germany.

This fish weighed 55 pounds 1 ounce and was over 53 inches long.

Lothar was actually targeting carp and roach when he landed his world record pike.

However, before he began his business of targeting these fish, he made several casts with his Cormoran rod in the hope of landing a pike before starting his fishing trip properly.

The rush of excitement and adrenaline in the fisherman’s body was enough to hide the pain long enough for him to successfully land the fish and fully appreciate the truly gigantic pike he was fighting.

If the story of this world record catch is not enough to show how big this fish is, more than 30 years later, it is still the largest pike ever caught, despite the popularity of northern fishing in Europe. is considered North America, no one has been able to beat this record fish for a long time.

Lothar used a Cormoran rod, Mitchell 4450 reel and Unyl line for his record catch.

Full length record for Northern Pike

On September 23, 2021, Italian fisherman Michelangelo Schenone caught the largest northern pike he had ever seen while fishing in Italy’s Lake Maggiore.

It actually turned out to be the largest pike ever seen in terms of length, as it measured an astonishing 48.82 inches (124 cm).

He lured a big pike with a Savage Gear burbot lure, and after hooking the fish with Capt. Matteo De Santis (and taking a few pictures), it was released into the water to be caught by another one in the future. lucky fisherman.

See also: How to catch Northern Pike in flight

Northern pike is one of the largest fish in Canadian waters.

One of the largest northern sockeye caught in Canada was caught in the Delaney River near Kenora in 1946, weighing over 42 pounds.

There is also a story of a northern sockeye being caught in Cedar Lake that weighed over 50 pounds and was about 70 inches long.

The fish was eaten by the fisherman who caught it and their family, so no official documentation was provided.

Even if the calculations were correct, this pike would have potentially challenged the current IGFA world record, let alone broken the Canadian record.

On April 1, 2016, seasoned angler Fredrik Johansson landed the Swedish record-breaking pike weighing more than four pounds.

On a three-day fishing trip, Fredrik finally managed to catch the record pike he wanted to find.

It took until the third and final day of his trolling campaign on Lake Vättern near Askersund to catch a big sockeye, but after he bit on a side glider, the trawl passed the Zalt, the record was on the verge of breaking.

The fish didn’t put up much of a fight, so after a small fight, it was weighed and found to be a record weight of 46 pounds, 7 ounces.

The largest Pike caught in the USA

The sock Peter held that day was the largest he had ever held.

More than 80 years later, it is still the largest pike caught in the United States.

See also: The Best Lures for Catching Northern Pike

Some major state records for pike

Alaska is home to a really big northern pike.

The Alaska state record is currently held by angler Jack Wagner for a pike he caught on the Innoko River in 1991.

This northern pike weighed an impressive 38 pounds, 8 ounces, and was unbeatable for a long time.

In Colorado, angler Tim Bone was fishing Stagecoach Reservoir when he caught the largest northern sockeye ever seen in the state by weight.

Tim’s monster weighed 30 pounds, 11 ounces.

Colorado also holds the state record for longest northern pike, currently held by Dennis Bruce for a 48-inch pike he caught in Navajo Lake.

In 2010, angler Kim Fleming set a new state record for northern pike while fishing in Idaho.

The weight of the fish he caught was a little more than 40 kilograms.

Any pike over 40 pounds must be considered a game fish, and this one was big enough to set a new Idaho state record.

In Michigan, the state record pike weighed 39 pounds and was caught in Dodge Lake in 1969.

What makes this state record interesting (and very impressive) is that the giant sockeye was caught by spearfishing, not by hook fishing.

Some states don’t have spearfishing record books, but this is Michigan, so this 39-pound pike still holds the record.

If we consider any pike over 40 pounds to be a predator, Minnesota’s northern pike is a true predator fish.

A stocking caught at Basswood Lake weighing 45 pounds 12 ounces seems to take a long time to approach anyone.

Wisconsin has some great fishing spots, and Puckaway Lake is where angler J.A. Rahn won the state record for northern pike in 1952.

The fish weighed in at 38 pounds and cemented its place as the largest northern pike caught in Wisconsin to date.

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