Gatjärnen
nutrient-rich lowland lake · 60°N
clarity 2.2 mmax depth 8 mpH 5.8eutrophicstatus poorgravel road
Character of the water
Gatjärnen lies in central Sweden — a nutrient-rich lowland lake.
The surroundings
The lake lies half-remote, a fair way from the nearest road, tucked into woodland.
Moderately deep (8 m) — shallow bays, the odd reef and a deeper channel through the middle.
Permits & rules
Fishing permit required — Gatjärnen FVOF. Day permit ~140 kr · annual permit ~700 kr.
- Pike: keep at most one over 75 cm per day.
- Handheld tackle only. Respect the protected zones at the inlets and outlets.
Species in Gatjärnen
perch predatory fish
typically ~22 cm · can reach 45 cm
Perch grazes the rich water in schools — where there's one, there are more.
pike predatory fish
typically ~62 cm · can reach 120 cm
In the murky light, pike shadows the baitfish and hits in short rushes.
roach coarse fish
typically ~18 cm · can reach 32 cm
Roach grazes the rich water in schools — where there's one, there are more.
bream coarse fish
typically ~38 cm · can reach 65 cm
Down on the bottom bream sifts the soft ground — patience beats speed here.
ruffe perch family
typically ~12 cm · can reach 22 cm
Down on the bottom ruffe sifts the soft ground — patience beats speed here.
Fishing Gatjärnen
Gatjärnen holds 5 species, with perch and pike at the top of the chain and roach, bream and ruffe schooling beneath them. The modest depth keeps most of the fishing within reach of the bank.
The fishing here follows the water's own rhythm: dawn and dusk have their windows, fronts close and open them, and the season moves the fish. No two sessions at Gatjärnen are alike.
General rules of thumb for this kind of water
- Nutrient-rich lakes hold plenty of baitfish but often murky water.
The catch board
- 1Heike Sundinpike54 cm
- 2Ida Norénperch21 cm
- 3Heike Holmroach14 cm
- 4Magnus Lehmannruffe10 cm
- 5Lars Weberruffe10 cm
- 6Anna Nyströmruffe10 cm
Species records here
pike54 cmHeike Sundin
perch21 cmIda Norén
roach14 cmHeike Holm
ruffe10 cmAnna Nyström
The same water, for real
