2.92 metres: German angler lands giant catfish from Polish reservoir
Oliver Schäfer from the Eifel, together with his fishing partner, landed a 2.92‑metre catfish during a tournament in Poland. The fish is already well known among anglers.
German angler Oliver Schäfer, 34, caught a massive 2.92-metre catfish while competing in a predator fishing tournament in Rybnik, Poland. Schäfer battled the giant catfish for over 30 minutes with Dutch fishing partner Kevin Cremers. The catfish, weighing a significant amount, was measured onshore and released back into the lake as per tournament rules.
Schäfer and Cremers finished second in the tournament with 28,930 points. This catfish has been caught before, reportedly by the same Polish anglers in 2025, though it has not grown any longer since. The European catfish is the largest native freshwater fish in Europe, capable of reaching lengths of up to three metres and weighing 150 kilograms.
Rising water temperatures due to climate change have contributed to the catfish's growth and increased population. Despite their size, these fish pose little danger to humans.
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