Paint a picture of Sweden in your head. It probably involves snow-covered mountains, delicious food (Swedish meatballs, anyone?), and Ikea’s famous flat-pack furniture, right? And the soundtrack to this picture? ABBA, of course! If at first glance this doesn’t seem like the perfect landscape for an angling adventure, think again. Fishing in Sweden provides plenty of opportunities that any angling enthusiast shouldn’t miss out on!
This country is home to 100,000 lakes, wild waterways, and plenty of rivers. It’s also surrounded by the mighty Baltic and North Seas, and is home to some pretty spectacular landscapes, too. Head to the south of the country and you’ll encounter lowland lakes, rivers, and stunning island archipelagos.
Travel to the center, and you’ll be greeted with rugged, hilly scenery, and plenty of forests with winding rivers. Then there’s the wild, wonderful north, where you’ll come across fast-moving mountain rivers, arctic tundras, and glaciers. And that’s without going into the many vibrant cities on offer, too. It’s all waiting for you! Read on to find out what kind of adventures are in store.
Chase Freshwater Fish in the Arctic Circle
Looking for a fishing trip that’ll leave you with plenty of stories to take home? Nothing beats casting a line in Swedish Lapland. Located at the northern tip of the country, this area is known as the Arctic Circle. Chances are you’ve never encountered anything quite like it before.
There are vast arctic tundras, high glacial peaks, and almost-continuous sunlight – and plenty of rivers and lakes to explore. To top it all off, you could even find yourself fishing against the backdrop of the Northern Lights!
Tornio River
Sweden’s biggest river systems are mainly concentrated in this part of the country, cutting through the mountains and teeming with wild fish. Perhaps the most famous river here is the Tornio (locally known as Torneälven or Torneälve). It winds through both north Sweden and Finland.
The mighty Atlantic Salmon and its cousin, the Baltic Salmon, inhabit these fast-moving waters. Atlantic Salmon species regularly reach between 6–8 kilograms. Monster species weighing in at 20+ kilograms have even been hooked here! You’ll also encounter Brown and Rainbow Trout on your adventure.
Due to the river’s size and speed, the best way to explore it is alongside an experienced guide. Why not hop on board a traditional Swedish vessel? These long, narrow boats are built to navigate these tricky waters, and get you on the fish of a lifetime! The majority of guide services are located in the small villages dotted around the river, such as Kurravuura and Jukkasjärvi.
When it comes to techniques, local anglers usually implement a mix of fly fishing, spinning, or trolling. Fly fishing and using light tackle are especially popular. You’ll be able to really feel the fight your target fish is putting up at the end of your line.
Lainio River
Fishing in Sweden’s Arctic Circle isn’t just limited to the Torne River, though. This area is also home to the Lainio River (Lainioälven), considered to be one of Europe’s finest fishing rivers. Not only will you find plenty more Salmon here, but it’s also brimming with other species. Grayling, Pike, European Perch, and various Trout are on offer, including the beloved Rainbow Trout.
Lainio runs through entirely uninhabited areas of the Arctic Circle. It’s especially popular with fly fishermen, thanks to the tranquil atmosphere it provides. Similarly to the Torne, it’s recommended that visiting anglers explore this waterway alongside a local guide. Villages such as Lainio and Laanavaara functioning as departure points.
One last thing – remember to wrap up warm, as temperatures rarely reach above 12°C even in summer. Considering you’ll be casting your line in one of the most remote places in the world, we think that having to pack an extra sweater or two is a small price to pay!
Explore the Archipelago Islands and Beyond for Deep Sea Species
It isn’t just all about the north in Sweden, though. Let’s take a journey down to its southern shores and see what’s biting there. This country’s long, U-shaped coastline consists of eastern, western, and southern sides. They all provide access to some pretty incredible fisheries.
The majority of the sea fishing action, however, is concentrated in the southern part of the country. Here, you’ll find a scattering of archipelago islands and skerries (rocky structure). There are also hotspots dotted around the northernmost part of the west coast. Let’s delve into the waterways on offer here.
South Sweden
Our starting point is the southeastern province of Blekinge and its collection of archipelago islands. This area can only be described as an angler’s paradise. It’s packed full of enchanting local scenery, as well as offering direct access to some of the country’s most fish-filled waters. It’s located right on the shore of the Baltic Sea, after all!
Casting a line here is different to your standard offshore fishing experience. Why? Well, the Baltic Sea possesses a lot less salinity than other oceans and seas. This means that there’s an unexpected fish that stands head and shoulders above the rest– the mighty Pike. Species here regularly weigh in at 10 kilograms, and you’ll also find gigantic Sea Trout on offer.
If you’re a keen boat fisherman, there are plenty of ramps and fishing parks dotted throughout the archipelago’s small towns. There are also kayak launches and rental shops. On a kayak, you can wind your way through these islands at your heart’s content. Explore both the shallow rocky waters and deeper offshore fisheries of the Baltic for your dream catch.
Thanks to the archipelago’s unique terrain and location, it’s also possible to cast a line in deep waters on foot. There are fishing lodges scattered throughout Blekinge and the archipelago islands, with Karlskrona being especially popular.
Why not get in touch with one of the many fishing guides or lodges here? That way, you’ll minimize wandering potential and maximize the fishing action.
West Sweden
Finally, we’re approaching the west coast of Sweden. Fishing in this area probably mostly closely resembles traditional deep sea fishing. This is due to the saline waters of the North Sea, as well as the species on offer. Anglers who cast a line here regularly encounter Mackerel, Sea Perch, and Garfish. It’s fair to say that the huge Cod here are the major pull for anglers from far and wide, though!
Even better, there’s a variety of ways to fish here. You can troll from a charter vessel, or head to the archipelago near Gothenburg to fish on foot. The province of Bohuslän, located at the northernmost part of this country’s west coast, is another deep sea fishing hotspot.
Not only will you find huge Cod and Sea Trout here, but you’ll also encounter more unusual species. Flounder and Atlantic Catfish lurk beneath these waters. There are plenty of marinas located here, and you know what that means – plenty of charter guides who’ll take you to the best spots around!
Cast a Line within City Limits
You may be thinking now that fishing in Sweden is only limited to the most remote areas. This is the ideal angling experience for some fishing enthusiasts. However, we’re sure there are some of you out there who’d like to combine casting a line with exploring one of the many exciting cities here. Well, you’re in luck!
Stockholm
Stockholm may be known for its museums, cathedrals, and cobblestone streets, but it’s also home to plenty of angling opportunities. You might be surprised by just how close these angling opportunities are, too. Head to downtown Stockholm, past the Swedish Parliament and Royal Palace, and you’ll see plenty of local anglers lined up along the quays, rods in hand.
Fishing here is just as simple as grabbing your own rods and reels and setting up your gear among these local fishing enthusiasts. You can also hop onto a guide service departing from the Stockholm city waterfront. Generally, you’ll be fishing the Stockholm city archipelago, and Lake Mälaren.
These waters of the archipelago are brimming with Sea Trout and varieties of Salmon. You’ll be able to battle these species with the city of Stockholm as your backdrop. Lake Mälaren is known as a Pike-fishing mecca, and is also home to plenty of Perch, too.
Even better, these locations are close to the city center, so after you’ve got your fill of fishing, you can explore some of the incredible land-based sights and tourist hotspots!
Gothenburg
Although it’s now probably better known for its vibrant nightlife, Dutch-style canals, leafy streets, and unique architecture, Gothenburg is also one of Sweden’s most important seaports. Not only does it provide access to the North Sea, but it’s also located on the banks of the Göta älv river. So what does fishing here look like?
Well, you have a couple of options. You can head to the saltwaters of the North Sea and explore nearby Bohuslän archipelago for saltwater deep sea fish, as we mentioned above. There are also several lakes located just a short distance from its center, with the nearby nature reserves Delsjön and Vättlefjäll being especially popular. You’ll find anything from Mullet to Pike, to Perch, to Carp and even Salmon species in these waters.
Gothenburg is also the perfect place to experience some of Sweden’s angling-related history – only instead of casting a line, you’ll be using nets or your hands! Yep, we’re talking about crabbing.
The west coast of Sweden has a long (and delicious!) crabbing history, and is known for its incredible seafood. The waters located just outside of Gothenburg are home to a flourishing Crab population, and there are plenty of guides located in the center who are happy to show visitors how to get their hands on some tasty crustaceans, Swedish-style.
Brave the Snow for an Ice Fishing Excursion
Finally, how could we possibly write about fishing in Sweden without mentioning ice fishing? It’s fair to say that it’ll take a lot more than bone-chilling temperatures to make Swedish anglers put down their rods and reels. Let’s put it like this – if you want to hook plenty of huge Perch in quick succession, winter is the time to visit.
As well as the fish on offer, there’s nothing quite like walking out onto a completely frozen lake for the first time. From there, you’ll usually set up an insulated tent on the ice around a drilled hole, where you’ll wait with a rod in hand for your chosen species to make an appearance.
Although it’s possible to ice fish as far south as Gothenburg in the depths of winter, perhaps the most popular hotspot is further north in Sweden.
Central Sweden
This doesn’t mean you have to venture all the way up to the Arctic Circle and brave below-freezing temperatures, though. The village of Vemdalen, located in central Sweden, provides access to a variety of lakes that are famous for their ice fishing opportunities, such as Oxsjön, Klövsjön, and Fillingen in Hede. Oxsjön is home to a self-producing Trout stock, as well as Perch, Pike, and Smelt.
The popular skiing resort of Åre is also a popular ice fishing destination, thanks to its location right along the banks of Lake Åre. If you’re looking for a family excursion that’ll go down in history as the best vacation ever, this is the perfect place to experience some stunning Swedish scenery and some incredible ice fishing action.
There are plenty of lodges and guides located around this area, and many offer “hands-on” ice fishing trips – they’ll even teach you how to drill the hole yourself!
Arctic Circle
If you’re willing to brave the Arctic Circle, one of the most productive (and safe!) spots for ice fishing is Abisko, located on the south bank of Lake Torneträsk. Here, you’ll find plenty of Arctic Char, as well as Zander – and plenty of experienced ice fishing guides to show you the ropes.
Although ice fishing is popular with all types of anglers due to its simplicity, we recommend exploring this tundra alongside a guide, as the weather and ice can be somewhat unpredictable.
These locations are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ice fishing in Sweden, and you’ll find plenty of other destinations dotted around the country, from fishing lodges that offer full packages, to smaller waterways perfect for solo anglers. One thing’s for certain, though – no matter where you go, you’ll be treated to a quintessentially Scandinavian fishing experience!
When to Go Fishing in Sweden
This all depends on the type of fishing you’re looking to experience, but keen anglers will be pleased to hear that it’s possible to fish in Sweden all year round.
If you’re heading to the Arctic Circle for a traditional river fishing adventure, June, July, and August are the peak months, with Salmon, large Pike, and a number of other fish all filling these fisheries to the brim. July is also when the Baltic Salmon season opens. The sun doesn’t set during these months, which adds a whole other level of uniqueness to your adventure.
For those of you looking to experience some Baltic Sea angling, whether that’s from Stockholm or elsewhere, you’ll be happy to know that the prized Pike is a year-round inhabitant. March–May and September–October are especially productive times to visit.
If you’re fishing the North Sea, the best time to visit is during the autumn, when offshore species such as Cod can be found closer to shore and within the winding waters of the west coast’s archipelagos.
Finally, for ice fishing, the general rule is that the winter fishing starts earlier the further north you are. In the Arctic Circle, it’s common to ice fish well into spring, whereas the season generally ends earlier the further south you go.
Sweden Fishing Regulations
Whether you need a license to fish in Sweden depends on where you’re fishing and who you’re fishing with. If you’re casting off alongside a local guide, they will generally provide you with all the fishing equipment and licenses you require to fish legally.
Generally, foreigners can fish in Sweden without a license, if they’re fishing in a public body of water and using hand gear, thanks to the Right of Public Access act. Whether or not you need a license, and the specific license you’ll require, differs greatly depending on the equipment you’ll be using and where you’ll be fishing, though.
We recommended checking out the official Swedish Environment Protection Agency website, as well as iFiske, which are packed full of information! You can also purchase licenses on iFiske.
To maximise the fishing potential here for generations to come, local anglers strongly recommend practising catch and release for all species along the Baltic Coast. In fact, this attitude towards fishing is common all throughout Sweden! You can find out more information about specific regulations and seasons on iFiske, as well as our handy fishing calendar.
Fishing in Sweden: A World of Possibilities
No matter what your dream fishing excursion looks like, chances are you’ll find it in this pocket of Scandinavia. Whether you’re looking to cast a line for freshwater species, fish within city limits, or explore deep sea waters offshore for oversized deep sea creatures, there’s plenty of adventures to choose from. There’s only one thing left to do – put together that Swedish pop playlist and start planning the Scandinavian trip of a lifetime!
Have you ever been fishing in Sweden before? What did your adventure look like? Let us know in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear from you!
