A non-native predator of some rivers, drains and stillwaters. Treat the fishing like a careful pike–perch hybrid: wire or heavy fluoro, welfare, and the local rules.
Zander are established in parts of the Fens, the Severn system and a few other waters. They are not everywhere, and they are not a fish to relocate. Check that the water actually holds them before you pack a deadbait rod.
They hunt in low light, often on smaller deadbaits and lures than pike, and they have a perch-like habit of sitting out in open water. Unhooking is spiky — dorsal and gill covers — plus teeth. Club and EA rules on non-natives vary: follow the water in front of you, not a story from another catchment. Rivers: close season 15 March–15 June.
Habitat
Open water, channels, boat traffic cuts, and the bottom of coloured drains. They like a bit of depth and a food fish population.
Seasonal behaviour
Low-light months. Coloured water after rain helps. Bright, clear midday is usually poor.
On the bank
A rattle, then a pull. They can be finicky with a deadbait. Lures worked slowly along the bottom catch them on the right waters.
Fish care
Mat, forceps, care with spines. Don't dump a fish on the gravel. Don't move zander to a new water.
Feeding approach
Not a loosefeed fish. Location and a bait they can find in the murk.
Common mistakes
Assuming every pike water has zander. No unhooking kit. Transferring fish. Fishing a river in the close season.
What to change if it isn’t working
No takes: smaller bait, slower lure, later in the day. If the water has no history of zander, you're fishing for a ghost.