Gvalsjön

northern clear oligotrophic forest lake · 63°N

Real lakereal shorelinemeasured max depth 18 m11 species on recordsources & method →

clarity 7.2 mmax depth 18 mpH 6.7oligotrophicstatus goodgravel road

Character of the water

Gvalsjön lies in the cold north — a northern clear oligotrophic forest lake. The water is crystal-clear and the fish skittish in the sharp light.

The surroundings

The lake lies half-remote, a fair way from the nearest road, tucked into woodland.

A small but surprisingly deep pocket (18 m) with steep drops straight down from shore — the bottom falls away fast.

Permits & rules

Fishing permit required — Gvalsjön FVOF. Day permit ~140 kr · annual permit ~700 kr.

Zander: minimum size 45 cm · protected during the spawn (Apr–May).
Pike: keep at most one over 75 cm per day.
Handheld tackle only. Respect the protected zones at the inlets and outlets.

Species in Gvalsjön

perch predatory fish

typically ~22 cm · can reach 45 cm

Here perch lives on the small stuff — and rewards those who fish small and fine.

bream coarse fish

typically ~38 cm · can reach 65 cm

Bream holds the bottom even in clear water — shade and depth are its cover.

elritsa fish

typically ~7 cm · can reach 12 cm

Elritsa moves carefully in the clear water — small mouthfuls, many of them.

pike predatory fish

typically ~62 cm · can reach 120 cm

Pike is a sight-hunter here — the clear water means long follows before the take.

zander predatory fish

typically ~50 cm · can reach 95 cm

Zander is a sight-hunter here — the clear water means long follows before the take.

grayling fish

typically ~30 cm · can reach 50 cm

Here grayling lives on the small stuff — and rewards those who fish small and fine.

havsoring-baltic fish

typically ~25 cm · can reach 50 cm

Here havsoring-baltic lives on the small stuff — and rewards those who fish small and fine.

id fish

typically ~38 cm · can reach 75 cm

Here id lives on the small stuff — and rewards those who fish small and fine.

burbot bottom fish

typically ~45 cm · can reach 90 cm

Burbot lives down in the cool — the deep is its home ground all year.

salmon fish

typically ~65 cm · can reach 130 cm

In the clear water salmon picks its moments — wary, but relentless once committed.

roach coarse fish

typically ~18 cm · can reach 32 cm

Here roach lives on the small stuff — and rewards those who fish small and fine.

Fishing Gvalsjön

The species list of Gvalsjön runs to 11. The predators — perch, pike and zander — hunt where the baitfish gather, and on a water this size you soon learn where it holds its fish.

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 Gvalsjön are alike.

General rules of thumb for this kind of water

Clear water makes fish light-shy — dawn, dusk and night are usually best.
In deep, oxygenated lakes the predators seek cool depth in summer, shallower in spring and autumn.

The catch board

6 anglers · 12 catches

1Emil Petterssonburbot37 cm
2Erik Viklundburbot37 cm
3Anders Karlssonroach20 cm
4Torbjörn Hägghavsoring-baltic20 cm
5Björn Norénperch18 cm
6Rickard Olofssonelritsa6 cm

Species records here

burbot37 cmEmil Pettersson

havsoring-baltic20 cmTorbjörn Hägg

roach20 cmAnders Karlsson

perch18 cmBjörn Norén

elritsa6 cmRickard Olofsson

The same water, for real

This water's real catch reports — and the logbook for your own.Fångstrapport.sein Swedish

The real bite table for this water — for your next real session.Huggtabell.sein Swedish