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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
