Holvatn

Character of the water

Holvatn lies in central Sweden — a nutrient-rich lowland lake. In summer a thermocline settles around 7 m and splits the lake into two worlds.

The surroundings

The lake sits close to town with a road right up to it — easy to reach, but hard-fished and exposed to nutrient runoff from the buildings and fields all around.

Moderately deep (16 m) — shallow bays, the odd reef and a deeper channel through the middle.

Permits & rules

Fishing permit required — Holvatn 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.

Fishing Holvatn

Holvatn holds 6 species, with perch, pike and zander at the top of the chain and roach, bream and ruffe 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 Holvatn are alike.

General rules of thumb for this kind of water

• Stratified, oxygen-poor lakes push the fish up above the thermocline in summer.
• Nutrient-rich lakes hold plenty of baitfish but often murky water.