Mälaren
mesotrophic lake · 59°N
clarity 3.5 mmax depth 8 mpH 7.0mesotrophicstatus goodgravel road
Character of the water
Mälaren lies in central Sweden — a mesotrophic 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 — Mälaren FVOF. Day permit ~100 kr · annual permit ~500 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 Mälaren
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.
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.
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.
ruffe perch family
typically ~12 cm · can reach 22 cm
Ruffe holds the bottom even in clear water — shade and depth are its cover.
Fishing Mälaren
The species list of Mälaren runs to 4. The predators — perch and pike — hunt where the baitfish gather, and on a water this size you soon learn where it holds its fish.
Whoever fishes Mälaren regularly builds something of their own: a log of what took, where and when. That's how the water gives up its patterns — cast by cast, never all at once.
The catch board
- 1Nils Viklundpike49 cm
- 2Linnea Fischerroach18 cm
- 3Stefan Brandtperch18 cm
- 4Magnus Lehmannroach15 cm
- 5Stefan Strandroach14 cm
- 6Anders Månssonruffe10 cm
Species records here
pike49 cmNils Viklund
perch18 cmStefan Brandt
roach18 cmLinnea Fischer
ruffe10 cmAnders Månsson
The same water, for real
