The zander of the lake
The Westeinderplassen are not typical zander water like a river or a deep canal, but there certainly are zander — especially in the channels and deeper basins and around the passages to the Ringvaart. It is a fish of murky, deep, quiet water that avoids bright daylight. That's why you mostly catch it early in the morning, at dusk and on grey, windy days.
Where to look
- Channels — the deepest parts of the lake. Fish the edges and the bottom of the channel, not the middle of the lake.
- Deep basins and old sand pits — the chart on board shows where the depths are. Zander often lie on the slope.
- Bridge piers and jetties on deep water — structure combined with depth.
- Small harbours after sunset — in the evening zander move shallower to hunt. Until 17:00 you can catch exactly that last hour in winter.
Techniques from the boat
- Vertical fishing — straight under the boat, an 8–12 cm shad on a 10–20 gram jig head, tapping slowly along the bottom while you drift with the wind. The technique of choice for the channels.
- Slow jigging — cast, let it sink to the bottom and work it back with small twitches. In cold water: the slower the better.
- Dead bait — a small roach on a drop shot or pilk rig on the bottom of the channel, for the days when lures do nothing.
Use a sensitive rod (10–30 grams), thin braid and a 0.30–0.35 mm fluorocarbon leader; zander are line-shy, but a pike in the channel is possible too, so keep the pliers handy.
Rules and release
Zander have a closed season from 1 April up to and including the last Saturday of May and a minimum size of 42 cm; the take limit and any extra rules for the Westeinderplassen are in the VISplanner. We recommend releasing zander as well — the stock in the lake is not large. More on VISpas & rules and fishing spots on the Westeinderplassen.
Boat hire
For vertical fishing you want a boat that drifts calmly and lets you stand easily — exactly our aluminium fishing boats. Hire a fishing boat in Aalsmeer for €150 per day (09:00–17:00), fuel included.