The world pike record is much more than a figure: it is the symbol of a passionate, sometimes irrational, often mythical quest. Whether measured, told or dreamt, THIS pike is part of the collective imagination of anglers the world over. Other record-breaking pikes, because of their extraordinary size, go beyond the simple status of trophies to make history. Let's discover this world record and its contenders, the biggest pike ever caught anywhere in the world.
My article in brief
Here's what you need to know about the world pike record and its most impressive contenders from around the world.
- The official world record has been held since 1986 by Germany's Lothar Louiswith a pike of 25 kg (55 lb 1 oz) captured at Lake Greffern. A legend still unsurpassed.
- Record-breaking pike not approvedlike those fished in Ireland, Germany and Canada, challenge the imagination of fishermen, between reality and myth.
- National records in France, Italy, Sweden, Poland and the United States show that each country has its own local fish giants
What makes a record pike?
In the world of freshwater fishing, few species inspire as much fascination as the pike. A fearsome predator with a jaw full of sharp teeth, it is also one of the most sought-after fish for sport fishermen. Whether it's for its dazzling attacks or its fierce battles, the pike is a living legend.
Several factors explain the spectacular growth of certain pikes:
- Rich habitat Large lakes, little-used rivers, deep, oxygenated waters.
- Plentiful food white fish, perch, small pike...
- Low fishing pressure Remote or protected areas.
- Modern techniques : depth sounders, special lures (such as Lucky Lures), barbless hooks, etc.
- Catch & release : releasing large fish back into the water allows some of them to age, grow... and break records.
The contenders for the world record (unofficial or controversial)
If the record we will see below is official, there are a number of outlets for it. unregistered or contested defy the laws of nature and could, on paper, dethrone him as the world record holder for the pike. Blurred accounts, lost photos, fish released or... eaten: these stories fascinate as much as they frustrate. Here are some of the pretenders to the world throne, whose reality is sometimes mixed with legend. Here are just a few examples
Ireland - The mystery of Lough Erne (1960s)
In the 60s, in the heart of the Irish moors, a certain Mr Farrell is said to have captured a pike of surreal proportions in the deep waters of Lough Erne. No clichés, no official weigh-ins. Just stories, glowing eyes around a fire, and a fish figure that has become a local myth. An oral legend, passed down from generation to generation, that still sends shivers down the spines of local fishermen.
Location: Lough Erne, Ireland
Fisherman : Mr Farrell
Length : 158 cm (estimate)
Weight : 71 lb (over 32 kg - estimate)
Date : 1960s
Germany - Arno Wilhelm (1983)
In a former flooded quarry, Arno Wilhelm produced what he still considers to be "the fish of a lifetime. A pike massive, all muscle, with a rare aggressiveness. Unfortunately, without official homologation. The weight, although documented, has never been recognised by IGFA. But in the hearts of German fishermen, he still reigns like a king without a crown.
Location: Germany
Fisherman : Arno Wilhelm
Length : 145 cm
Weight : 67 lb 4 oz (30.5 kg)
Date : 1983
Poland - The phantom record
This pike hovers like a shadow. No photos, little reliable information, but a persistent rumour: that of a monster fished in the deep waters of eastern Poland. A fact sheet is sometimes circulated at fish shows, but it never quite convinces. However, many swear that it did exist, as this photo shows.
Location: Unknown, Poland
Weight : 28.64 kg (63.14 lb)
Date : unknown
Canada - A record pike... eaten
In a country where the lakes are as vast as inland seas, there is no shortage of stories about giant pike. This one is unique: a local resident is said to have caught a gigantic specimen estimated at over 50 lbs... before cooking it that evening with friends and family. No scales, no measurements, just formal guests: "It was the biggest pike we'd ever seen". A record swallowed... literally.
Location: Cedar Lake, Ontario or Manitoba
Fisherman : unknown
Estimated weight : 50+ lb (approx. 22kg) for 177cm....
Date : unknown
National records: impressive record pikes
Across Europe and North America, some pikes reach colossal sizes, becoming veritable local legends. These specimens, without breaking the world record, leave a lasting mark on the fishing history of their respective countries. Here are the national pike records we have discovered/
French record
The largest pike ever caught and officially registered in France is a record pike 140cm long and weighing 16.4 kg. It was caught by Lionel Roux on Lake Nantua. Unfortunately we do not have a full account of the catch of this French record. Lionel was, however, fishing with a soft paddle lure.
Location: Lake Nantua
Fisherman : Lionel Roux
Weight : 16.4 kg
Decoy: soft paddle lure
UK record
In a typically British setting, misty and silent, Lloyd Watson hooked one of the most massive pikes ever recorded in the UK. The attack was brutal, the fight muscular and the emotion palpable. That day, Chew Valley Lake gave birth to a monster that will live on in the memory of its angler forever.
Location: Chew Valley Lake
Fisherman : Lloyd Watson
Weight : 47 lb 5 oz (approx. 21.5 kg)
Date : 2024
Bait : dead fish
Italian record
The clear waters of Lake Maggiore, bordered by the Italian Alps, harbour many secrets. One of them is an extraordinary pike caught by Carlo Aimonetti, weighing in at just under 25 kg. A rare catch that bears witness to a rich, well-preserved ecosystem.
Location: Lake Maggiore
Fisherman : Carlo Aimonetti
Weight : 55 lb (24.9 kg)
Date : unknown
Dutch record
The brothers Jelle and Thijs, well-known figures in the Netherlands, pulled their record-breaking pike up by the scruff of the neck. An epic battle against the backdrop of the Dutch sunset, immortalised by the cameras. The lure? A Lucky Lures, proof once again that innovation in lures can make all the difference.
Location: "Dutch Great Lakes
Fishermen : Jelle & Thijs - Team Struikrovers
Date : 2015
Lures : Lucky Lures - Esox V2 & Lucky Perch
German record
Germany is full of flooded gravel pits, veritable nurseries for pike. This titanic 138cm specimen, caught in autumn, is a perfect illustration of the longevity that these environments can offer. A massive silhouette, a back as broad as a chest, and golden reflections in the sun: a trophy pike that we would all dream of catching one day.
Location: Germany (unknown lake)
Fisherman : Siegfried Schön
Date : 12 October 2019
Length : 138 cm
Weight : 23 kg
Swedish record
In Sweden's inland fjords, pike enjoy an abundance of prey and a climate that is conducive to their growth. The one caught by Fehmi Varli has remained in the memory: a fish of incredible power, with a size worthy of Nordic waters.
Location: Södertalje
Fisherman : Fehmi Varli
Weight : 58.58 lb / 26.57 kg
Date : 1986
Czech Republic record
A catch in calm but deep waters, typical of Central Europe. Lukas Matejka used robust tackle and great patience to catch this giant. A fish with a bronze sheen and a dragon's mouth.
Location: Czech Republic
Fisherman : Lukas Matejka
Length : 133 cm
Weight : 26.7 kg (58 lb 14 oz)
Date : 2019
Record for Bulgaria
A pike as long as a surfboard, with a dark back and powerful flanks. Captured in a little-known river, this specimen bears witness to a biotope that is still little exploited.
Location: Bulgaria
Fisherman : Petar Filipov
Length : 140 cm
Weight : 25.3 kg
Date : 2019
US record
In the heart of the Rockies, Hayden Lake is a jewel for North American anglers. Thomas Francis had an unforgettable experience with this unusual pike. The size of its belly alone was enough to tell the story of this legendary fish.
Location: Hayden Lake, Idaho Fisherman: Thomas Francis
Length Width : 49 inches (approx. 124 cm)
Girth : 26.5 inches
Weight : 40.76 lbs
Date : 2023
The world record pike officially approved
The Holy Grail. The one that every angler dreams of beating one day... without ever really believing it. The world record for pike officially approved has been held for more than 35 years by the German Lothar Louis. The latter caught a record pike of 25 kg (55 lb 1 oz) the 16 October 1986in the Lake Greffernin West Germany.
On 16 October 1986, on the calm shores of Lake Greffern, Lothar Louis shod what the whole world would soon call the pike. A massive, muscular, almost unreal fish. The spoon, cast a few metres from the shore, was snatched up violently. That day, nature had given him an immense gift, and Lothar's patience was rewarded a hundredfold. In 40 minutes of Homeric combat, this freshwater giant became a legend.
To this day, this world record for pike remains unrivalled by international standards of theIGFA (International Game Fish Association)and continues to fuel the dreams of whole generations of fishermen.
