Gädda - Esox lucius

The pike is a predatory fish with a mouth full of sharp teeth. It is characterized by its long, often greenish-yellow body. Camouflaged, it hides in the vegetation and moves silently before making an explosive attack and devouring its prey. It is so voracious that a pike of almost the same size can risk becoming dinner.

Fishing method: When you're after pike, spinning with a slightly coarser casting rod, braided line and steelhead is a good basis. A rubber bait or hard bait cranked in at varying speeds tends to attract bites, fishing slower and deeper when it's cold. Try different colors and sizes to find the right bait for the day.

Big pike are important for the whole ecosystem so let them live. Really heavy pike should be handled with care. Don't lift it vertically into the air, as the guts can sink into the body. The best thing to do is to keep the fish in the water, unhook it immediately and thank it for a good fight.

When and where: In early summer, fishing outside shallow bays is often good as the pike are looking outwards and are hungry after a long winter. Look for pike along weed edges, around free-standing weedbeds and sharp deep edges where prey fish often gather or have to pass. In winter, ice fishing is a popular method, but be aware that fish are sensitive to cold. Drill a large hole, at least 150 mm.