- Scientific name
- Esox lucius
- Swedish name
- Gädda
- Maximum length
- up to 140 cm
- Maximum weight
- up to 25 kg
- Spawning
- Zeitiges Frühjahr im Flachen
- Swedish record
- 21,07 kg · 128 cm · Vättern · 2016
Technique in brief
From the bank, spinning with soft lures, spinnerbaits or plugs offers the greatest range. From a boat, trolling along drop-offs and island points is the most efficient way to search unfamiliar water. In spring after spawning and in late autumn, the heavier fish hold in shallow water; in high summer, it is worth switching to deeper drop-offs and cooler tributaries.
Tackle
A rod with a casting weight of 40–80 g covers almost everything. A steel or fluorocarbon leader of at least 0.60 mm is essential, not a convenience: without a bite-resistant leader, the fight ends with the lure being bitten off and remaining with the fish. A large landing net with rubberised mesh, a hook remover and side cutters belong in the boat.
Handling the catch
Large pike are old fish and more valuable to the stock than to the frying pan. Avoid gripping the gills, support the fish horizontally, unhook it in the water and release it only when it dives away on its own. In many Swedish waters, a harvest slot applies — the figures are shown on the water's page.
Season by country
- Jan Quiet
- Feb Quiet
- Mar Good
- Apr Good
- May Prime time
- Jun Good
- Jul Good
- Aug Good
- Sep Prime time
- Oct Prime time
- Nov Good
- Dec Quiet
Prime time · Good · Quiet
The calendar shows bite windows, not closed seasons. Binding closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by the individual water and appear on its page.
Where in Scandinavia
- Fishing for Pike in Sweden 1309 waters
Official sources
Checked: 04.08.2026
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to fish for pike in Sweden?
Two periods stand out: the weeks after spawning in May, when the fish hold in shallow water and are aggressive, and the period from September to November, when the heavy females feed to build up their winter reserves. High summer can also be productive, but requires lures to be worked deeper.
Do I need a permit to fish for pike?
In Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Storsjön, as well as on the coast, you may fish with handheld tackle without a permit. In all other lakes and rivers, you need a permit from the fishing rights holder.
Is there a minimum size for pike?
There is no nationwide minimum size. In inland waters, the fishing rights holder sets the sizes, often as a harvest slot. On the coast and in the five large lakes, the national minimum size for fishing with handheld tackle applies.
