Happstafjärden

northern acidified forest lake · 63°N

Real lakereal shorelinemeasured max depth 21 m11 species on recordsources & method →

clarity 6.4 mmax depth 21 mpH 5.2oligotrophicstatus unsatisfactorygravel road

Character of the water

Happstafjärden lies in the cold north — a northern acidified forest lake. The water is crystal-clear and the fish skittish in the sharp light. Acidification has thinned life down to the hardiest few.

The surroundings

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

Large and deep (21 m): a central basin ringed by drop-offs and shallow bays around the edges — varied bottom with many spots to read.

Permits & rules

Fishing permit required — Happstafjärden 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.
Trout & Arctic char: protected during the autumn spawn · catch-and-release on certain stretches.
Handheld tackle only. Respect the protected zones at the inlets and outlets.

Species in Happstafjärden

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.

ål fish

typically ~55 cm · can reach 110 cm

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

bream coarse fish

typically ~38 cm · can reach 65 cm

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

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.

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.

nors fish

typically ~12 cm · can reach 22 cm

Nors holds in the open water column where light and temperature set the day.

trout salmonids

typically ~35 cm · can reach 70 cm

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

Fishing Happstafjärden

Happstafjärden holds 11 species, with perch, pike and zander at the top of the chain and ål, bream and roach schooling beneath them. The depth gives the water two storeys — and the fish move between them with the season.

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 Happstafjärden 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.
Acidified water yields few, hardy species.

The catch board

6 anglers · 12 catches

1Fredrik Hedlundål46 cm
2Elin Åbergål44 cm
3Ida Månssonzander40 cm
4Lars Holmbream30 cm
5Heike Korhonengrayling25 cm
6Wolfgang Korhonengrayling23 cm

Species records here

ål46 cmFredrik Hedlund

zander40 cmIda Månsson

bream30 cmLars Holm

grayling23 cmWolfgang Korhonen

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