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Fishing in Sweden

Havs- och vattenmyndigheten (HaV) · svenskafiskeregler.se

Plan your trip with up-to-date fishing rules in Sweden, where to buy a Sweden fishing license, common fish species (Perch, Pike, Zander, Atlantic salmon), closed seasons and key waters. All info is sourced from Havs- och vattenmyndigheten (HaV).

Sweden fishing guide — license, rules and species

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Licenses & permits

Where to buy

  • Fiskekort (inland waters) — iFiske · Varies per water
  • Fiskekort (inland waters) — Sportfiskarna / local FVO · Varies per water
  • Find local FVO (directory) — Fiskekartan.se · Directory only
  • No license needed — Sea, Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren, Storsjön · Free (handredskap)
  • Regulations — Svenska fiskeregler · Free info

General rules

Species-specific rules

SpeciesWaterMin sizeBag limitClosed seasonNotes
Salmon (hatchery)Vänern60 cm3/day (combined with trout)Varies by area—
Salmon (wild)VänernProhibitedMust releaseYear-round—
Trout (hatchery)Vänern60 cm3/day (combined with salmon)Varies by area—
TroutVättern50 cm3/day (combined)Varies—
Arctic charVättern50 cm3/day (combined)Varies—
PikeMälaren/Hjälmaren40 cm3/day——
ZanderVänern45 cm—25 Apr – 25 May (spawning areas)—
ZanderMälaren/Hjälmaren45 cm3/day——
GraylingVättern35 cm———
CodCoast (rod)30 cmVaries by area——
EelAll watersProhibited—Year-round ban—
Wels catfishAll watersProhibitedMust release—Year-round, protected
LobsterWest coast9 cm carapace6 pots/personSept–Nov—

Common species in Sweden

EnglishSvenskaScientificFAOMin sizeClosed seasonMethodsKey waters
PerchAbborrePerca fluviatilis
FPE
——Spin, jig, drop-shotVänern, Vättern, Mälaren, all lakes
PikeGäddaEsox lucius
FPI
40 cm (Mälaren)—Spin, trolling, flyVänern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren, coast
ZanderGösSander lucioperca
FPP
45 cm25 Apr–25 May (Vänern spawning)Jig, trolling, verticalVänern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren
Atlantic salmonLaxSalmo salar
SAL
60 cmVaries by riverTrolling, fly, spinVänern, Mörrum, Emån, Torne älv
Brown troutÖringSalmo trutta
TRS
50 cm (Vättern)Varies (autumn)Fly, spin, trollingVättern, mountain streams, coast
Arctic charRödingSalvelinus alpinus
ACH
50 cm (Vättern)—Trolling, spin, fly, iceVättern, Storsjön, mountain lakes
GraylingHarrThymallus thymallus—35 cm (Vättern)15 Apr–31 May (Baltic SD31)Fly, spinVättern, northern rivers
WhitefishSikCoregonus lavaretus———Fly, spin, iceVänern, Vättern, northern lakes
BurbotLakeLota lota———Bottom, ice fishingVänern, Vättern, northern lakes
BreamBraxenAbramis brama
FBR
——Bottom, floatVänern, Mälaren, most lakes
IdeIdLeuciscus idus———Float, flyVänern, rivers
RoachMörtRutilus rutilus———Float, bottomAll lakes
Sea troutHavsöringSalmo trutta (sea-run)
TRS
50 cm (coast)Varies (autumn)Spin, flyBaltic & west coast
CodTorskGadus morhua
COD
30 cm (handredskap)Varies by areaBottom, pirk, jigWest coast, Baltic
European eelÅlAnguilla anguilla
ELE
BANNEDYear-round—Protected everywhere
Wels catfishMalSilurus glanis
SOM
PROTECTEDYear-round—Must release, Emån
AspAspLeuciscus aspius——1 Apr–31 May (Vänern tribs)Spin, flyVänern tributaries
Signal crayfishSignalkräftaPacifastacus leniusculus—10 cmRestrictedTrapsVänern area, Vättern (Aug)

Frequently asked questions about fishing in Sweden

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Disclaimer: regulations vary by region and change frequently. Always verify with the official source before fishing.