Fishing in Sweden

Sweden’s largest lake is Lake Vänern, at around 5,600 square kilometres of surface area. It’s so big that it has its own weather system and an archipelago of 20,000 islands. If you think this creates fantastic angling possibilities, you’d be right; you can go trolling for landlocked salmon and trout, pike and zander.

Southern Sweden features mostly lowland lakes holding pike, zander, perch, and coarse species. As you travel northwards, the landscape changes; it becomes more rugged, hilly, and forest carpeted with thousands of lakes holding pike, perch and carp in the far south, as well as brown trout, grayling and zander.

As you approach the tree line in northern Sweden, where the giant spruce forests end, Arctic tundra, meadows, glaciers and towering mountain peaks take over. The lakes are full of brown trout, grayling and Arctic char.

Sweden also has a good spread of well-stocked put-and-take lakes, mainly in the country’s middle and southern parts.

Booking a guide for a fishing trip in Sweden ensures you have expert knowledge of the best fishing spots and local regulations, enhancing your chances of a successful catch. And no matter where you are in Sweden, you are always close to a lake where you can fish for perch and pike.

River fishing

The major river systems are mainly in the wild north of the country. These are extremely powerful, cutting through the nature, creating slow pools, waterfalls and rapids – and fantastic fishing.

Hiring a guide is an excellent idea if you’re fishing in the Arctic Circle because it is sparsely populated, the terrain can be rugged, and weather conditions can be extreme. All are adding to its exoticism and charm. Species to look out for include brown trout, char and grayling. The other sights to look for here are majestic Northern Lights, the Midnight Sun, and pristine nature.

Several other major river systems are also running through middle Sweden, including the Klarälven River.

Going into middle Sweden, you’ll find the 200-kilometre-long southern stretch of the Dalälven River. This area around it is a patchwork of meadows, wetlands and marches. And great fishing waters. Cast for big pike and perch and zander.

Salmon? Go to the legendary Mörrumsån River in the Blekinge province in southern Sweden. Around a dozen rivers on this east coast that stretch up to middle Sweden with salmon and sea trout in them.

Coastline fishing

The long U-shaped coastline of Sweden consists of east, south and west. The east borders Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia, and the west coast borders Norway and the North Sea.

Sweden’s east coast is scattered with archipelago islands and skerries. Hire a boat or fish from the shore of an island deep in the archipelago, and odds are you will catch a large sea trout or pike.

Off Sweden's south coast, fantastic salmon-catching opportunities exist at Hanöbukten and the waters outside Simrishamn. Trolling for salmon here might land you a 25+ kilo fish. Really.

Stay west coast-side for good deep-sea fishing and deep-water angling straight from the rocky shorelines. Fish for cod, mackerel, garfish and sea trout. The west coast is particularly famous for its seafood, and here you can even go on a guided lobster or oyster fishing trip.

Where to fish in Sweden

Sweden Fishing gathers information about Swedish fishing rules, guides and destinations from north to south. Many regions have also put-up websites with tips on the best local fishing places, permits and bookable fishing packages. Here are a few, listed from north to south:

Northern Sweden

With four national rivers, over 30,000 lakes and 1,500 kilometres of coastline, Swedish Lapland in the north of Sweden is a fly fishing heaven.

Can’t choose between freshwater and saltwater? Whether to fish for pike, salmon or sea trout? In the High Coast of Sweden, you can have it all.

Middle Sweden

Dalarna in Sweden’s inland boasts everything from mountain lakes and forest ponds to winding rivers. The waters are filled with pike and perch. In the north of this region, you can fish for trout and grayling, and zander in the south.

Don’t be surprised if you spot anglers standing in rows in downtown Stockholm. The water surrounding Sweden’s capital is inhabited by salmon and sea trout, and there are several guided fishing tours to choose from.

Southern Sweden

West Sweden is all about seafood safaris. Join a local fisherman and head out to catch shellfish, prawns, oysters, mussels, langoustines, lobster – any delicacy you can imagine.

The province of Blekinge is a top-class fishing destination in general, and the Mörrumsån River in particular. Anglers from all over the world come here to fish for salmon, sea trout, pike and perch.

Fishing in Skåne, Sweden’s southernmost county, is a family-friendly adventure. Choose between open-water fishing and inland lake fishing, or out & take fishing char, trout and big rainbow trout.