A lot of people who visit Sweden bring their fishing rod along. After all, it’s the land of a thousand lakes, and we have plenty of fish in our waters!
But when do fish here up north actually bite best?
The optimal biting times for pike, zander, perch, sea trout, and coarse fish in Sweden vary depending on the season, time of day, and specific water conditions.
If you come at the wrong time, there’s absolutely the risk of going home empty-handed. But if you fish at the right time, you can experience some of the best fishing in the world!
Here are a few tips on the best fishing times in Sweden.
Pike
Pike are active in Sweden year-round, but there are certain periods when they are particularly eager to bite.
The best fishing times are in spring and autumn, when the water is neither too cold nor too warm.
March through June and August through November are my absolute favorite months when targeting pike here in Sweden!
During the height of summer and in the depths of winter, the pike tend to be less active.
However, successes can still be achieved during these times, for example, when ice fishing in deeper lakes or using bottom rigs or float rigs in rivers and archipelagos.
Slow and natural presentations tend to work well in both cold winter and warm summer conditions!
GUIDED FISHING TOURS FOR PIKE? Here you can learn more about my guided pike tours in the Kalmar region, where I live and fish!
Zander
The zander in Sweden is a fish that is best and easiest to target during late spring and summer.
It is certainly possible to catch zander year-round, but the months May through October are definitely the best up here!
In southern and central Sweden, zander are found in many lakes and are best fished for from a boat.
Trolled crankbaits or softbaits fished near or on the bottom are the most common methods for targeting these fantastic predators.
I also often fish with slowly trolled floats and smaller baitfish. Especially in slightly cooler water (May, September, and October), this method is often unbeatable!
ZANDER TOUR WITH A GUIDE? Here you can learn more about my guided fishing tours for zander.
Perch
Perch are widespread in Sweden and can be caught both from the shore and from boat.
These predators inhabit almost every lake and river, and particularly along the Småland coast, you can often catch very large specimens in the archipelagos.
Just as for pike, the best times to fish for perch are spring and autumn. However, perch are very active in summer as well and can then often be caught fairly easily.
Fast surface spinning for perch in summer is particularly exciting and often yields good results.
During late autumn and winter, perch fishing in Sweden can also be excellent.
Here, too, the key is slow and natural presentations! Use maggots, worms, shrimp, or small baitfish on bottom or float rigs. Alternatively, bottom-near spinning with soft plastic lures works very well in cold water!
LOOKING FOR GIANT PERCH? Here you can read more about my guided tours targeting large archipelago perch!
Sea Trout
The sea trout is a sought-after target fish along the coasts of Sweden. Especially on the islands of Gotland and Öland, you can often catch fantastic fish.
The best fishing times are in spring, between March and May, and then again in late summer and autumn, from late August through November.
During these periods, sea trout are particularly active and offer anglers excellent fights on spinning or fly rods.
ÖLAND – THE SEA TROUT PARADISE! Here you can learn more about my guided tours for Öland’s beautiful sea trout!
Carp/Coarse Fish
Fishing for coarse fish is also very popular here in Sweden, and in the southern half of the country, there is an abundance of both roach, bream, tench, and carp. These species can grow quite large in many waters!
However, since they prefer warm water, the best fishing time for coarse fish in Sweden is between April and September.
General Tips for Fishing in Sweden
Time of Day: Many fish species are particularly active in the early morning and early evening. It is therefore advisable to fish during these times to increase your chances. During midsummer, the very early morning hours are the best because it’s simply too warm and light during the day!
Weather Conditions: Cloudy days with light a light breeze can provide ideal conditions since fish are often hungrier and more willing to bite. My favorite fishing weather is mild temperatures, clouds, and a light south or southwest wind. That combination almost always works for catching fish!
Local Regulations: It’s always important to familiarize yourself with local fishing regulations and closed seasons to protect fish stocks and ensure sustainable fishing. Please always keep this in mind before heading out.
I hope these tips can help you catch more fish in this wonderful fishing country. I have lived and fished here in Småland for almost 25 years now, and I’ve naturally gathered quite a bit of expertise in the process.
However, it’s also important to know that there can and will always be differences from region to region, water to water, and even day to day.
That’s just how fishing is. So, my tips are always of a general nature, even if they often prove successful!
Tight lines, and welcome to Sweden!
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