10 of the Biggest World Record Pike Ever Caught

Pike are some of the toothiest and hardest-fighting predators you’ll find in fresh water. Native to North America, Europe, and Asia, they’re voracious feeders that will ambush everything from bullfrogs to ducklings. The largest pike are savvy, and they're rarely found in the bottom of angler's net. But when they are hooked, they’re known to fold rods in half and wear anglers down to the point of exhaustion. The biggest ever recorded was caught in northern Europe, which is a distinction shared by most of the top contenders in the list below. From Lothar Louis’ 55-pound German monster (caught on a spoon in 1986), to a 27 pounder caught by a fly fisherman in Alaska back in 1995—here are 10 of the biggest northern pike to ever hit the IGFA record books.

1. Lothar Louis—55 pounds, 1 ounce

The IGFA all-tackle world record for northern pike was caught in Germany in 1986. (Photo/IGFA)

• Angler: Lothar Louis

• Weight: 55 pound, 1 ounce

• World-Record Line Class: All-Tackle

• Catch Date: October 16, 1986

• Location: Lake of Grefeern, Germany

• Fishing Method: Conventional Tackle

2. Ake Nilsson—47 pounds, 4 ounces

(Photo/IGFA)

• Angler: Ake Nilsson

• Weight: 47 pounds, 4 ounces

• World-Record Line Class: 12 pound

• Catch Date: January 28, 1989

• Location: Lodde, Sweden

• Fishing Method: Conventional Tackle

3. Giacamo Pinotti—43 pounds, 3 ounces

(Photo/IGFA)

• Angler: Giacamo Pinotti

• World-Record Line Class: 8 pound

• Catch Date: December 10, 1990

• Location: Ascona, Lago Maggiore, Switzerland

• Fishing Method: Conventional Tackle

4. Paolo Pacchiarini—43 pounds

(Photo/IGFA)

• Angler: Paolo Pacchiarini

• World-Record Line Class: 20-pounds tippet

• Catch Date: August 5, 2020

• Location: Centro Cadore Lake, Italy

• Fishing Method: fly tackle

5. Benny Pettersson—39 pounds, 14 ounces

(Photo/IGFA)

• Angler: Benny Pettersson

• World-Record Line Class: 20 pound

• Catch Date: November 20, 1993

• Location: Osthammar, Sweden

• Fishing Method: conventional

6. Thomas Lindwall—39 pounds, 12 ounces

(Photo/IGFA)

• Angler: Thomas Lindwall

• World-Record Line Class: 16 pound

• Catch Date: November 1, 1990

• Location: Tenhultasjon, Sweden

• Fishing Method:

• Lure or Bait Used:

7. Paolo Pacchiarini—36 pounds

(Photo/IGFA)

• Angler: Paolo Pacchiarini

• World-Record Line Class: 16 pounds tippet

• Catch Date: June 19, 2010

• Location: Lake of Annone, Lecco, Italy

• Fishing Method: fly tackle

8. Christer Mattson—35 pounds, 12 ounces

(Photo/IGFA)

• Angler: Christer Mattson

• World-Record Line Class: 6 pound

• Catch Date: September 19, 1998

• Location: Reslegylet, Karlshamn, Sweden

• Fishing Method: conventional tackle

9. Dr. Gerry Chesin—29 pounds

• Angler: Dr. Gerry Chesin

• World-Record Line Class: 6-pound tippet

• Catch Date: June 24, 2021

• Location: Lac La Martre in the Northwest Territories, Canada

• Fishing Method: fly tackle

Read Next: 10 of the Biggest World-Record Muskies Ever Caught

10. Bradley Befus—27 pounds

• Angler: Bradley Befus

• World-Record Line Class: 6-pound tippet

• Catch Date: August 7, 1996

• Location: Innoko River, Alaska

• Fishing Method: fly tackle