To American anglers, it’s hard to beat good Walleye and Perch fishing. They’re not just fun to catch, they’re some of the country’s best-eating fish. But, did you know that anglers in Europe have a similar addiction? We’re talking about Zander fishing.
Also known as Pike-Perch, Zander are undoubtedly one of Europe’s tastiest fish. What’s more, they’re sustainable to catch due to their high adaptability in the wild. In fact, these fish are virtually always wild-caught and never bred for food. Traveling anglers will be happy to know that you can chase Zander all across Eurasia including some of the world’s top holiday destinations.
How to Identify Zander
Despite the Pike-Perch label, Zander (Sander lucioperca) are not a hybrid of Pike and Perch. They are, however, part of the Perch family, which makes Zander closely related to American Walleye.
Much like Walleye, these fish are characterized by their long bodies, twin dorsal fins, large eyes, and scores of canine teeth. You’ll often see dark vertical bars along their sides. The average Zander weighs 3–8 pounds (1–4 kilograms). Ten-pound fish are considered trophies, but this is small compared to the largest specimen on record which weighed over 30 (13 kilos)!
Zander are a highly adaptable species native to the Danube River. Germany, Spain, and Eastern Europe historically hold some of the best fisheries for them. However, over time, Zander expanded their range across continental Europe. Today you can catch them in many waters throughout Eurasia, and as far afield as North Africa, Kazakhstan, and western Siberia. They’re especially popular game fish in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom.
Zander vs. Walleye, Sauger, and Saugeye
There’s a small Zander population in Spiritwood Lake, North Dakota, where the species was introduced during the 1980s due to its sport value. At first, the experiment was thought to be a failure, but some fish survived and you can still catch them there. They’re regulated along with Walleye, Sauger, and Saugeye. You can tell Zander apart from these species based on their color and markings:
- Walleye range from green to dark brown, without any markings on their backs or sides. Their dorsal fins have no spots or markings, except for some dark shading at the base. Meanwhile, their bottom tail fins have a characteristic white tip. By contrast, Zander have dark vertical stripes along their backs as well as small spots on their dorsal fins. There’s no white edging on their tail fins.
- Sauger have spots on their dorsal fins and dark blotches on their sides. Like Zander, their tails do not have any white markings.
- Saugeye share features with both Walleye and Sauger, including blotches and some spotting on their dorsal fins. They may also have white tips on their bottom tail fins.
Due to how invasive and destructive Zander could be to local ecosystems, there’s an active effort to prevent the species from spreading in US waters. In fact, Zander was added to the Injurious Wildlife List by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2016. If you think you’ve caught a Zander outside of Spiritwood or Alkali Lakes in North Dakota, try to identify the fish accurately based on the info above and report your catch.
Best Zander Fishing Spots
There’s arguably no better place to fish for Zander than their native waters in continental Europe. But if these fishing grounds are far from your backdoor, you don’t necessarily have to travel overseas to find them. Here are a handful of places to fish for Zander around the world:
Spain
Many claim that Spain is home to the best Zander fishing, with no spot more famous than the Ebro River. The downside to having such a stellar reputation, however, is heavy fishing pressure. A knowledgeable guide might still show you the best of the Ebro, but you can also consider plenty of other rivers including the Tajo, Guadiana, and Duero, as well as the lakes connected to them.
Of these, the Duero in particular stands out. While this river doesn’t typically produce trophy-sized fish, the Zander are plentiful. A full day on the Duero can yield dozens of fish. The species is present year-round, but spring is arguably the best time to fish for them when they spawn in shallow water and aggressively bite various lures.
You can find information concerning a Spanish fishing license and regulations in various waters here. Catch and release is not required for all species but is commonly encouraged.
Germany
Germany also tops the list for many European anglers. With access to the legendary Danube River, it’s no wonder why. This is, of course, Zander’s native habitat! Other popular locations to fish for them include the Rhine and Elbe Rivers, not to mention various lakes throughout the country.
In addition to shore fishing, you might have the chance to target Zander while kayaking in some waters, such as the Trausnitz Stausee reservoir or numerous lakes along the Netherlands-Germany border. Early spring and fall see some of the best Zander fishing in Germany, when these fish are actively feeding at either end of their spawning season.
There’s a daily bag limit of two Zander per day, which is an aggregate bag limit shared with Trout, Pike, and Perch. These fish must measure over 35 centimeters (13.8 inches). Germany has some of the most complex recreational fishing rules in Europe, so we recommend fishing with a local guide.
Sweden
Yet another fantastic country for Zander fishing is Sweden. Tourists need look no further than the capital, Stockholm, for a taste of the action. But if you’re a serious angler, we urge you to cast a wider net (pun intended). You can catch Zander in a variety of waters, including the archipelagos of the Baltic Sea, but Sweden’s lakes are some of the best spots. Noteworthy names include Lakes Vänern, Hjälmaren, Mälaren, Stora Nätaren, and Runn.
If you’re looking for non-stop action, cast your line in May and June when the fish are most prolific. For a trophy, wait until October, after they’ve had a chance to fatten up during the summer. You can also catch large Zander throughout winter by ice fishing for them.
Anglers in Sweden promote voluntary catch and release. This means keeping only as much fish as you intend to eat. Depending on the area you fish, you may be required to get a local fishing license and follow specific size and bag limits.
United Kingdom
Though they aren’t native to the UK, Zander have become a fast favorite due to both their sport and food value. The species was first introduced to the Duke of Bedford’s Woburn estate in 1878, followed by the Great Ouse Relief Channel in the Fens. From there, they spread to many waters big and small, making them accessible all over. Some of the UK’s biggest rivers hold Zander, including the Thames, Trent, and Severn.
Zander in the UK average 65–90 centimeters (25–35 inches) and weigh about 8 pounds. Since they’re not a native species, releasing them is technically illegal. The Canal and Rivers Trust encourages anglers to take their catch home and cook it. And trust us, if you’ve ever tried this fish before, you won’t need much convincing!
North Dakota
Anglers in the States who are itching to catch Zander without planning a trip to Europe can try their luck in North Dakota. Specifically, in Spiritwood Lake, where North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department introduced the species because it was a contained environment. In recent years, however, high waters made it possible for the fish to migrate to nearby Alkali Lake as well.
While you won’t catch Zander in great quantities, the fish are undoubtedly there and some reach a decent size – the state record stands just shy of 16 pounds. Zander in North Dakota are managed in combination with Walleye, Sauger, and Saugeye. There’s an aggregate bag limit of five fish per day.
How to Fish for Zander
Zander can be picky eaters but, in general, they aren’t very hard to catch. Anglers typically target them on small baits and lures fished close to the bottom. Casting and subtle jigging work well from shore, and you can even allow your jig to drift with the current if you find jigging too advanced or strenuous. In some areas, vertical jigging is a specialty.
Lure fishing from a boat is also effective. Try trolling some diving lures a foot or two off the bottom. Slow trolling often works well but, depending on the bite that day, you may have to experiment with different speeds.
Though you can find Zander in small lakes and gravel ponds, they thrive most in deep rivers, canals, and reservoirs. Like their cousins Walleye and Sauger, they lead a rather vampiric lifestyle. That’s not just a reference to their sharp incisors! These fish shy away from natural light. One look at those big, glassy eyes and you can tell they’re genetically engineered to hunt in the dark.
This makes them partial to murky and stained water, too. They tend to lurk in the shade of overhead structures like docks and bridges, so try casting your bait upstream of these and allow it to drift below. Fishing in the dark can also be very productive, and some anglers will only target Zander after sundown.
Zander Fishing Gear & Bait
Light or medium tackle is sufficient for catching average-sized Zander. Opt for a scaled-down Pike setup, such as a medium-action rod with a 6000–10000 series reel and 10–15 lb test line.
Strong monofilament is essential, though, because Zander shake their heads violently and mono provides the stretch you need to keep them hooked. Terminal tackle should include a wire leader to withstand the Zander’s bite, along with a 6–8 size hook.
Despite being predatory fish, Zander have small mouths and this is why anglers opt for small baits. They’ll take almost anything cut to size, including shrimp, mussels, eel, and bait fish – even pieces of other Zander! Some anglers swear by dead bait rather than live.
When it comes to lure fishing, jigging is the most common method, but you can also catch Zander on spoons and other small lures. Chartreuse is the most effective color, followed by green and other bright hues such as hot pink or orange.
When to Fish for Zander
Zander are present in the areas they populate year-round. Some anglers consider summer to be the peak fishing season for them, while others prefer spring and fall. To increase your catch rate, target them when they’re feeding aggressively – either before or after they spawn. Fall and winter see some of the largest fish, since they spend the warmer months fattening up. Meanwhile, spring Zander are smaller but more numerous.
Another factor to consider is the time of day. Zander are designed to hunt in low light. In addition to targeting them in murky waters, you can catch them after dark. In summer, they’re often most active at dusk and late into the night.
Zander: Good Angling from A to Z
Zander fishing doesn’t require much technical skill, depending on how you fish for them. But they present a unique challenge due to the murky waters they prefer and their tendency to feed at night.
They’re not the most challenging fish you’ll ever catch, but they are one of the tastiest. Whether you’re looking to stock your freezer with a dozen small ones or hoping to land a single trophy, there’s a time and a place to do just that!
Have you ever been Zander fishing? Where are your favorite honey holes? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
