Angler Legend
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Lilla Motjärnen

acidified forest lake · 59°N
clarity 7.8 mmax depth 14 mpH 5.3oligotrophicstatus unsatisfactorygravel road

Character of the water

Lilla Motjärnen lies in central Sweden — a acidified forest lake. The water is crystal-clear and the fish skittish in the sharp light. In summer a thermocline settles around 6 m and splits the lake into two worlds. 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.

A small but surprisingly deep pocket (14 m) with steep drops straight down from shore — the bottom falls away fast.

Permits & rules

Fishing permit required — Lilla Motjärnen 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 Lilla Motjärnen

perch predatory fish
typically ~22 cm · can reach 45 cm
Perch moves carefully in the clear water — small mouthfuls, many of them.
pike predatory fish
typically ~62 cm · can reach 120 cm
In the clear water pike picks its moments — wary, but relentless once committed.
whitefish whitefish
typically ~30 cm · can reach 55 cm
Whitefish holds in the open water column where light and temperature set the day.

Fishing Lilla Motjärnen

The species list of Lilla Motjärnen runs to 3. The predators — perch and pike — 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 Lilla Motjärnen are alike.

General rules of thumb for this kind of water

  • Clear water makes fish light-shy — dawn, dusk and night are usually best.
  • Acidified water yields few, hardy species.

The catch board

6 anglers · 12 catches
  1. 1Maria Ekpike56 cm
  2. 2Anders Månssonpike50 cm
  3. 3Elin Hedlundwhitefish25 cm
  4. 4Heike Holmwhitefish25 cm
  5. 5Axel Forsbergperch20 cm
  6. 6Emil Vainioperch18 cm
Species records here
pike56 cmMaria Ek
whitefish25 cmElin Hedlund
perch18 cmEmil Vainio
The same water, for real