12 of the Largest Northern Pike in IGFA World Record History

Apex predator. Enduring records. A global standard of angling excellence.

 

For generations, the International Game Fish Association has served as the global authority on World Records, preserving the most remarkable angling achievements with a commitment to fairness, accuracy, and integrity. Among freshwater species, few command the same respect as the northern pike.

Known for sudden violence at the strike and unmatched aggression in the fight, northern pike are among the most formidable predators in inland waters. Armed with rows of razor-sharp teeth and built for ambush, they occupy the top of the food chain across North America, Europe, and Asia. The largest individuals are rare, highly pressured, and often decades old.

To encounter one is memorable. To land one at record size is exceptional.

The following records represent some of the most impressive northern pike ever documented under IGFA rules, each one a testament to angling skill, patience, and respect for the sport.

The Benchmark - Lothar Louis

The standard by which all others are measured.

Set in 1986, this record remains the IGFA All-Tackle benchmark for Northern pike. On October 16, German angler Lothar Louis landed a 25-kilogram (55-pound, 1-ounce) fish from Lake Grefeern, Germany, after a demanding 40-minute fight on conventional tackle.

What separates this catch is not just its size, but where it sits biologically. Northern pike exceeding 50 pounds are exceptionally rare, representing the extreme upper end of the species' growth range. Fish of this caliber are typically decades old, and the product of highly productive, forage-rich systems paired with low harvest pressure.

Louis’s catch was taken on a spoon, a classic presentation for large pike, and required sustained control as the fish used its mass and powerful head shakes to stay deep throughout the fight. Once landed, the fish was properly weighed and documented in accordance with International Game Fish Association standards, a critical step that ensured the catch would stand the test of time.

Nearly four decades later, no larger northern pike has been recorded under IGFA rules. That longevity speaks to both the rarity of fish of this size and the importance of a global standard. Without strict documentation, line class verification, and catch validation, a fish like this would exist as little more than a story. Instead, it remains the definitive benchmark, a record that continues to anchor the upper limit of what is possible in freshwater angling.

While northern pike are often associated with North America, a significant portion of the largest IGFA records, including this one, originate from European waters, where a combination of habitat, forage, and angling tradition has consistently produced some of the biggest specimens ever documented. 

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Masters of Precision - Åke Nilsson

A balance of restraint and control.

On January 28, 1989, Ake Nilsson of Sverige, Sweden, hooked what remains decades later the largest northern pike caught on 12-pound line, while fishing far up a river (not named) in the vicinity of Lodde (Löddeköpinge) in southwest Sweden. Nilsson had submitted his line as a 16-pound-test record, but it tested in the 12-pound class. He was casting an Italia spinner with a wire leader from his 12-foot rowboat. He played the fish for 15 minutes.

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8-Pound Line Class - Giacomo Pinotti

Finesse meets power.

Giacomo Pinotti’s record stands as one of the most extraordinary demonstrations of finesse ever recorded in freshwater angling. On December 10, 1990, Pinotti landed a 19.6-kilogram (43-pound, 3-ounce) northern pike from Lago Maggiore, Switzerland, while fishing with live whitefish on just 8-pound line.

At this scale, the achievement becomes less about strength and more about precision. Northern pike are built for violent acceleration, and on ultra-light tackle, even a single surge can end the fight instantly. Pinotti was forced to manage every movement of the fish with restraint, allowing it to run when necessary while applying just enough pressure to gradually gain control. The battle extended to nearly an hour and a half, a duration that underscores both the power of the fish and the discipline required to land it.

Lago Maggiore, a deep, glacial lake straddling Switzerland and Italy, is known for its cold, clear water and strong forage base, conditions that can produce exceptional pike. Still, fish of this size are exceedingly rare, particularly on such light line.

As with all IGFA records, the catch was subjected to strict verification, including post-catch line testing, which confirmed its placement in the 8-pound class. That detail is critical. Without standardized testing and documentation, a catch of this magnitude could never be fairly compared to others around the world.

More than three decades later, Pinotti’s fish remains one of the most respected light tackle records in the IGFA database, a benchmark not just for size, but for the level of control and composure required to land a true apex predator under the most unforgiving conditions.

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Female Smallfry World Record - Serenity Schmitt

Only five years old at the time, Serenity Schmitt, from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, holds IGFA’s Female Smallfry World Record for northern pike with her 24-pound, 9-ounce fish. Caught in Wisconsin’s Sturgeon Bay on February 22, 2020, she was fishing with live sucker minnows on 10-lb trilene line. Serenity fought this fish for 20 minutes before it was netted and brought to Howie’s Tackle for the official weigh-in.

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Male Junior World Record - Santiago Rodriguez-Bustos 

On June 4, 2013, 11-year-old Santiago Rodriguez-Bustos landed a 31-pound, 5-ounce northern pike on Dore Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada. Staying at Dore Lake Lodge, Santiago was excited to be on his first “guys” only trip with his grandpa and dad, a trip his dad had been on several times and had promised to Santiago once he was old enough. On the third day of fishing, Santiago tossed a Mepps Syclops to the edge of some weeds in a smaller bay when the lure was hit by a big fish, and the 15-minute, theatrical fight ensued. Not only did this fish claim the prize for the biggest northern pike of the trip and the amazement of the other guests at the lodge, but it has now been the Male Junior World Record for nearly 13 years.

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Remote Frontiers - Dr. Gerry Chesin

Untouched water. Pure opportunity.

Few achievements in fly fishing demand more precision than landing a large predator on ultra-light tackle, and Dr. Gerry Chesin proved exactly what is possible two decades ago on Lac La Martre in Canada’s Northwest Territories. While fishing the remote, pike-rich waters of this northern fishery, Chesin hooked into a powerful northern pike that would go on to weigh 13.15 kilograms (29 pounds). The catch earned him the IGFA men’s 3-kilogram (6-pound) tippet class world record, a remarkable accomplishment given the limited strength and margin for error that comes with such light gear.

The fight lasted a grueling thirty minutes, with the fish using its size and strength to its full advantage while Chesin carefully managed the pressure to avoid breaking it off. Outfitted with an Austin rod, a Ross Reels setup, and Maxima Fishing Line, he relied on patience and control to gradually bring the fish within reach. When he finally landed it, the achievement stood as a testament to both angling skill and the extraordinary fisheries of northern Canada. His record remains a benchmark in light tackle fly fishing, showcasing just how far technique and discipline can push the limits of what is possible.

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4-Pound Tippet Class - Bradley Befus

Wild water. Technical skill.

For many anglers, landing a single world record fish is a lifelong goal. Bradley Befus achieved that milestone twice in the span of just three days during a fly fishing trip to Alaska in August 1996. On August 5, while fishing the Innoko River, Befus hooked into a powerful northern pike that struck his fly with force. After a brief but controlled five-minute fight, he brought the fish to shore and documented it at 13.8 kilograms (30 pounds 8 ounces). The catch earned him the men’s 20-pound tippet class world record, and, in keeping with the principles of responsible angling, the fish was released to be caught again.

Just two days later, on August 7, Befus repeated the feat on the same river, this time fishing lighter tackle. He landed another impressive northern pike weighing 12.2 kilograms (27 pounds), securing a second IGFA tippet class world record during the same trip. Achieving even one record on fly tackle requires precision, patience, and ideal conditions, but setting two in such a short window highlights both the exceptional fishery of Alaska’s Innoko River and Befus’s skill as an angler. His accomplishment remains one of the more remarkable multi-record performances in IGFA history.

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16-Pound Line Class - Thomas Lindwall

A fishery defined by consistency.

Swedish angler, Thomas Lindwall, wasted little time securing one of the most impressive light tackle records in freshwater fishing. On November 1, 1990, fishing just outside Tenhultasjon, Sweden, Lindwall landed a massive northern pike weighing 39 pounds 12 ounces (18.0 kilograms) in only five minutes. The fish, which still stands as the men’s 16-pound line class world record, struck a Swim Whizz lure Lindwall was trolling from a small boat in the cold, late autumn conditions that often produce Europe’s largest pike.

Despite the brief fight, the catch was anything but routine. Northern pike of this caliber are known for explosive power, and even on heavier tackle they can overwhelm anglers with sudden runs and violent head shakes. Lindwall’s ability to quickly subdue the fish on 16 -pound line speaks to both precise tackle control and a bit of favorable timing during the fight. With the fish secured, he immediately headed back to shore to obtain an official weight, ensuring proper documentation of the record. More than three decades later, his catch remains one of Sweden’s most remarkable contributions to the IGFA record book, reinforcing the region’s reputation for producing some of the largest pike in the world. 

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Northern Waters, Legendary Fish - Benny Pettersson 

Where habitat and heritage meet.

Swedish angler, Benny Pettersson, came within ounces of the mythical 40 pound mark, but the 39 pound 14 ounce northern pike he landed on November 20, 1993, in Osthammar, Sweden, was more than enough to secure a place in the IGFA record book. Officially weighing 18.1 kilograms (39 pounds 12 ounces), the fish still stands as the men’s 20 pound line class world record. Fishing the cold late season waters of coastal Sweden, Pettersson was casting a black and silver Zalt plug from a small boat when the strike came. Northern pike are notorious ambush predators, and in northern Europe where many of the largest specimens are recorded, they often feed aggressively in the weeks leading into winter.

What followed was a tense fight on relatively light tackle. The fish used its weight and powerful head shakes to stay deep, forcing Pettersson to remain patient and methodical. After roughly ten minutes, he was able to bring the massive pike alongside the boat and land it. Recognizing the importance of the catch, Pettersson immediately made his way to shore to ensure the fish was properly weighed and documented. In a region known for producing some of the largest pike in the world, his catch remains one of Sweden’s most iconic records, falling just short of a milestone that very few anglers ever approach.

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 Fly Fishing Excellence - Paolo Pacchiarini

Consistency at the highest level.

Italian angler and IGFA Representative, Paolo Pacchiarini, set out for a day of fly fishing with his father on June 19, 2010, on Lake Annone just outside Lecco, Italy, and ended up making IGFA history. Casting a baitfish pattern fly from a rented boat, Pacchiarini hooked into a powerful northern pike that would prove to be one of the most significant fly caught fish of the species ever recorded. After a determined 10 minute fight, he brought the fish to hand, revealing a massive pike that tipped the scales at 16.3 kilograms (36 pounds). The catch established a new men’s 16 pound tippet class world record and at the time was the largest northern pike ever recorded by the IGFA on fly tackle.

Pacchiarini had rigged his fly with an eight inch wire shock tippet, a clear indication he anticipated pike in the area, but even that preparation could not have hinted at the size of the fish he ultimately landed. Northern pike are notorious for their razor sharp teeth and violent strikes, especially in fertile European lakes like Annone, where forage rich environments can produce exceptional specimens. Once the fish was secured, Pacchiarini moved quickly to have it officially weighed and documented, securing his place in the record books. His catch stands as a benchmark achievement in fly fishing, proving that even the largest apex predators can be taken on the fly with the right combination of skill, preparation, and timing.

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Modern Fly Achievements - Paolo Pacchiarini

Precision casting. Absolute control. 

On August 5, 2020, Italian angler and IGFA Representative, Paolo Pacchiarini, caught this amazing 19.5-kilogram (43-pound) northern pike to potentially set the new IGFA Men’s 10-kg (20 lb) Tippet Class World Record. Paolo was fly fishing in Centro Cadore Lake, Italy, and landed the fish in 10 minutes after it struck a fly he was casting. This incredible 138-centimeter (54-inch) fork length (143 cm total length) northern pike was his personal best and a dream fish for the avid pike angler. After quickly weighing the fish in a net and documenting the catch, he released the monster pike to grow and fight another day. This amazing catch surpassed the previous record by over twelve pounds!

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Light Line Discipline - Christer Mattsson

Minimal margin. Maximum reward.

While pike fishing is very popular in Europe, what many non-European pike anglers don't realize is that some of the best fishing occurs in saltwater. In fact, Swedish angler, Christer Mattsson, landed his 35-pound, 12-ounce pike in the Baltic Sea when he pulled it from Karlshamn, Sweden, on September 19, 1998.

Mattsson was casting a shallow diving Opm lure from his 12-foot aluminum boat when the pike hit. After surviving the initial run with his 6-pound tackle and no leader, Mattsson settled in for a long battle as the pike towed him around for nearly an hour before he could pull the fish on board.  This is one of only four pike ever recorded by the IGFA on 6-pound tackle.

Why IGFA Rules Matter

Big fish alone do not make a record.

Without rules, there is no standard. Without a standard, there is no credibility.

The IGFA rules exists to ensure that every record is earned under the same conditions. It governs everything from line class and leader length to how a fish is fought, landed, and handled. Once a fish is hooked, only the angler may touch the rod, reel, or line. Assistance, even for a moment, disqualifies the catch. These rules are not arbitrary. They are designed to remove advantage, eliminate ambiguity, and preserve comparability across decades and continents.

This is what separates a verified world record from a claim.

It is also what protects the future of the sport. By promoting ethical angling practices, proper fish handling, and responsible release, IGFA standards help ensure that the same class of fish exists for the next generation. Today, a significant percentage of record eligible fish are released to be caught again, reinforcing the idea that achievement and conservation are not mutually exclusive.

For anglers, following IGFA rules is not just about chasing records. It is about fishing within a system that values integrity over exaggeration, discipline over shortcuts, and respect for the resource above all else.

For nearly ninety years, the IGFA has stood at the intersection of achievement and accountability in angling. These records are not simply milestones. They are part of a living history that connects anglers around the world through a shared respect for the fish, the water, and the rules that make every catch count.