That photo has created a lot of confusion after being reproduced in Canada.
According to the fishing internet this pike has been caught from Rainy Lake, Muskegon Lake, and Lake Wobegon. But the truth is that it was caught in Netherlands, Europe
The photo of the smaller pike taken by the bigger one is taken on a sunny day, check out the overcast sky in the photos of the big fish. Although a big pike - they are not the same fish.
I am inclined to trust Jan Eggers who said about this fish:
“This pike was caught on the 6th of March 2006 by Dutch fisherman Ewout
Blom in a pretty big lake in the south of Holland, I know the name of the
lake from where quite a number of 40 plus pikes were caught and released
but promised not to mention the name to avoid too heavy fishing pressure.”
“This pike had a length of 127 cm and a weight of 19,5 kilo and was caught
trolling with a Rapala Super Shad Rap in perch colour and I have about 10
original digital pictures of this fish and am allowed to use them and will
do that in the book about pike I am writing and that should be reade Julyt
2007.”
For the metric system impaired (such as yours truly - I had to look it up),
127cm and 19.4 kilos works out to right around 50 inches, and just barely
shy of 43 pounds…"
So not 50lbs, but still a wonderful and inspiring fish.
Even though there was “controversy” about those pictures I am still awe-struck by the size of a fish like that! That is truly an amazing catch! My jaw dropped when I saw those pictures.