Fishing: a Swedish holiday with a difference

Guest Post

With its breathtaking lakes, mountains and forests, Sweden has long since attracted lovers of the great outdoors. And if you’re a fishing fan, or perhaps want a holiday with plenty of gentle, relaxed moments, then the country is perfect for serious anglers and casual fish fans alike.

Fishing holidays in Sweden have the advantage of offering a huge amount of choice, with over 90,000 lakes and 37 species of game fish. Stretching across 2,000 km the country has such a myriad of climates and weather seasons that you don’t have to wait for a particular season to go fishing; if you pick the right area, you can go whenever suits you best.

As a rule, the milder south is better for year-round fishing as the weather rarely becomes extreme and there is an abundance of different species and variations of fish. As for the north of the country, it’s important to remember that Sweden extends into the Arctic Circle, meaning that extreme conditions and harsh weather are a possibility. Avoid the north in winter, and if you’re unused to such specialised fishing conditions, consider hiring a guide to help you find the perfect spot.

In terms of where to fish, it really all depends on your preference. If you’re looking to combine fishing with other activities, somewhere busy and buzzing like Stockholm is ideal where you can spend your days on the water and your nights out having fun.

Forget Venice, when it comes to a city built on water, look no further than the Swedish capital. Situated on 14 islands on the banks of the archipelago where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, water is fundamental to city life, so much so that the metropolis’s geographical centre is in the middle of Riddarfjärden Bay.

The city’s waterways account for over 30 per cent of the city, so it’s commonplace to see people fishing throughout Stockholm, even outside the Royal Palace. The city is known in particular for its salmon fishing; indeed, the record for a salmon caught in downtown Stockholm is said to be 48 lbs!

For coastal fishing, Göteborg’s (Gothenburg’s) stretch of coastline offers the chance to meet some of the country’s salt-water species, including cod, mackerel and catfish. With a great fishing culture made up of professional fisherman and those enjoying long fishing weekends at the seaside, Göteborg is a paradise for all those who are passionate about the sport. Consider hiring a boat to take you a little further out to sea for the biggest catches and the best views.

For a quieter experience, the endless countryside in central Sweden offers plenty of chances to sit back and relax. Lake Värnen, a 5,600 km area of natural beauty with around 20,000 islands and its own micro-climate, is ideal for enjoying some time to yourself.

The sheer size of the lake means you can pick where you want to go depending on the sort of catch you’re after, with zander and perch in the south and pike and carp in the north. There are plenty of campsites to stay in, or alternatively you could pitch your tent on the shores of the lake and really get back to basics; the mild summer nights in Sweden are perfect for camping.

For the biggest catches, river fishing is your best bet for breathtaking views and some huge fish. The River Dalaven at the centre of the country is legendary for its huge catches, with pike and zander being particularly common: in fact, the biggest sweet-water zander ever caught came from this river, and locals have many tales of enormous fish and heroic battles. For salmon and sea trout, head a little further south to the River Mörrumsån, one of a dozen rivers in the Blekinge area that offer some of the biggest salmon in the country.

Wherever you choose to spend your holiday in Sweden, it’s undoubtedly one of the best in the world for fishing breaks and countryside pursuits. Whether competing with friends for the biggest catch in Stockholm or snatching a few quiet hours of contemplation in the heart of the countryside, you’re sure to find something to suit you. All that you have to do is decide where to go, and dig out your best fishing equipment of course! 🙂 – Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel guide to Europe

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.