Norwegian record Zander: 12.24 kg

About Zander

The zander, Sander lucioperca, is the largest member of the perch family and a prized quarry. Its main range covers eastern and central Europe. In Norway it is native only to the Halden watercourse, the Glomma up to Lake Øyeren and the Vansjø-Hobøl system, but stocking has established it in lakes such as Borrevannet, Akersvannet, Gjersjøen and Tunevannet. The Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre lists it as regionally alien with very high ecological risk outside its native waters. It is slimmer than a perch, greenish grey with dark vertical bars, and has large light-sensitive eyes and prominent fangs. Norwegian fish of 3 to 4 kg are common; the species can reach around 1 metre and 15 to 20 kg. It thrives in warm, murky water and hunts small fish such as smelt, bleak and roach. It spawns in June, and the male guards the nest. Jigs, crankbaits and dead bait work well, at dusk. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Ferskvann
• Best month: Juli

See the species guide

Biggest Zander in FishComp

288 g (2 % of the record) by Otto Åserud. See the catch

How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.