Zander (pikeperch)

The European cousin of the walleye: long gray-green body with dark vertical bands, big glassy eyes, two separate dorsal fins (the first one spiny with rows of black spots), and long fang-like teeth in the front of the jaws. No white tip on the tail like a walleye.

18–28 in and 2–8 lb.

Over 3 ft and about 40 lb.

Small fish such as roach, bleak, smelt and young perch.

A school predator that likes dim light: it hunts at dusk, at night and in murky water, and sits on hard bottom, drop-offs and channel edges by day.

Found from Northern & Central Europe, Scandinavia & Iceland (Norway, Sweden, Denmark), France, Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), Italy & Malta, United Kingdom & Ireland, Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea & Caspian, Russia, Mongolia & Kazakhstan and Morocco & West Africa. Big lakes, reservoirs, slow rivers, canals and brackish Baltic bays; native from the Elbe and Baltic east to the Caspian and Aral, and stocked across western Europe, Spain, Italy, England and North Africa.

Big lakes, reservoirs, slow rivers, canals and brackish Baltic bays; native from the Elbe and Baltic east to the Caspian and Aral, and stocked across western Europe, Spain, Italy, England and North Africa.

6–40 ft.

On or within a foot or two of the bottom.

All year where open; fall and early winter are prime. Many countries close the season during the spring spawn (about March to May).

Dusk, night and dawn; all day in murky water or overcast weather.

No tide in fresh water; in tidal rivers and the Dutch delta, moving water is better.

Overcast, windy days with stained water are best; bright calm days push them deep.

Dead or live small fish (roach, smelt) fished on the bottom where live bait is allowed.

Soft shads and finesse plastics on jig heads, drop-shot rigs, crankbaits trolled at night, and blade baits.

7–8 ft medium, fast-action spinning rod with a 2500–3000 reel.

1/4–3/4 oz jig heads with a 2/0–4/0 hook; size 1–2/0 for bait.

10–15 lb braid.

12–20 lb fluorocarbon (use thin wire if pike are around).

Hop a soft shad along the bottom on drop-offs, river bends and harbor walls, and set the hook on any tap or slack. At night, cast shallow crankbaits over sandbanks or troll them along the edges.

Zander bites are often just a light 'tick'. Fish a slow, bottom-hugging retrieve and watch your line, not just your rod tip.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

One of Europe's best freshwater fish: firm, white and mild. Pan-fried fillets ('fogas' in Hungary, 'sandre' in France) or baked with butter.

Sharp fangs and spiny dorsal fin; unhook with pliers and hold the fish behind the head.

Most countries have a closed season in spring and a minimum size (often 40–50 cm, about 16–20 in) and a daily limit. Check the national and local rules. Freshwater fishing in Europe always needs a permit: a national or regional license where one exists (for example the rod licence in England and Wales or the French carte de pêche) plus a permit or day ticket from the club, lake or river owner.

Release the big breeding females and keep a few eating-size fish.