Bream fishing in Sweden
Bream (Abramis brama) is the characteristically deep-bodied, golden-brown cyprinid of nutrient-rich lakes and slow-flowing water. Big bream exceed 5 kg and are a prime target for match and specimen anglers.
Braxen är en stor karpfisk som lever i flockar. Vanlig i grunda näringsrika sjöar och långsamma vattendrag.
Source: SLU Artdatabanken
Fishing tips & gear
- Maggot
- Earthworm
- Sweetcorn
- Pellets
- Mini boilies
Bottom fishing with a feeder and groundbait. Patience — bream move in shoals. Keep feeding the same bait consistently. Long hooklengths (60–100 cm) draw more takes from bigger fish.
Top 5 lakes for braxen
- stora kleven2 catches
Most common methods
Where to find bream
Bream occur in southern and central Sweden up to the Dal River, and along the Baltic coast. Classic bream waters are Mälaren, Hjälmaren, Roxen, Åsunden and the lowland lakes of Skåne. They favour soft bottoms with detritus and vegetation at 2–8 metres.
Season
Bream fishing is best from May to September, peaking in June–July during and after spawning. Bream are most active at dawn, dusk and through warm summer nights. In winter they move deeper and become hard to catch.
Methods and baits
Ledger and feeder fishing with a sweet groundbait mix — sweetcorn, hemp and breadcrumb — is the standard approach. Use 0.18–0.25 mm line, size 8–12 hooks and sensitive tips to register the bream's cautious bite.
Baits: sweetcorn, worm bunches, fruit- or vanilla-flavoured boilies, and bread. Bait the swim heavily the evening before for the best results.
Lakes where braxen has been recorded
Based on species observation data for Swedish waters. Open a lake for weather, fishing times and local rules.
- Braxen in OrlångenStockholm
- Braxen in Fersjön
- Braxen in ÖrenSmåland (Jönköping)
- Braxen in MälarenSvealand
- Braxen in Åsunden (Östergötland)Östergötland
- Braxen in HjälmarenSvealand
- Braxen in LygnernHalland/Västra Götaland
- Braxen in Motala strömÖstergötland
- Braxen in HelgasjönKronoberg
- Braxen in LetälvenNärke
- Braxen in Stensjön/Sättersbotjärn (Grycksbo)Dalarna
- Braxen in MörrumsånGötaland
Frequently asked questions
When is the season for braxen?
The peak season for braxen in Sweden is May-August.
Where can you fish for braxen in Sweden?
According to FishMap catches, braxen is most often caught in stora kleven.
How big does braxen get?
Braxen can grow up to 5.0 kg.
What's the best method to catch braxen?
Common methods for braxen are Bait fishing.
Which techniques work for braxen?
Float / bait — see the full guide for the right gear, baits and season.
Which bait works best for braxen?
Proven baits: Maggot, Earthworm, Sweetcorn.
How big do bream get in Sweden?
The Swedish record is 8.12 kg. Everyday catches run 500 g to 2 kg; a three-kilo fish is a big bream and anything over 5 kg is a trophy.
Is bream good to eat?
Bream have many bones but good flesh. Smoked bream is a classic; fried or made into fishcakes also works. Many anglers release them because of the bones.
When do bream spawn?
Bream spawn in May–June at water temperatures of 15–20°C. The fish gather in numbers in shallow weedy bays and create loud, splashing activity during the spawn.
What is the best bait for bream?
Sweetened corn, fruit- or vanilla-flavoured boilies and worm bunches are proven baits. Combine with generous groundbait — corn, hemp and breadcrumb — to hold the shoal in the swim.
Have you caught Braxen?
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