Matalajärvi
northern clear oligotrophic forest lake · 68°N
clarity 1.7 mmax depth 2 mpH 7.2oligotrophicstatus goodgravel road
Character of the water
Matalajärvi lies in the cold north — a northern clear oligotrophic forest lake.
The surroundings
The lake lies half-remote, a fair way from the nearest road, tucked into woodland.
Shallow throughout (max 2 m), with reeds and vegetation over large areas — water that warms fast in spring.
Permits & rules
Fishing permit required — Matalajärvi FVOF. Day permit ~60 kr · annual permit ~300 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 Matalajärvi
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.
grayling fish
typically ~30 cm · can reach 50 cm
Grayling moves carefully in the clear water — small mouthfuls, many of them.
burbot bottom fish
typically ~45 cm · can reach 90 cm
Burbot holds the bottom even in clear water — shade and depth are its cover.
whitefish whitefish
typically ~30 cm · can reach 55 cm
Whitefish holds in the open water column where light and temperature set the day.
Fishing Matalajärvi
The species list of Matalajärvi runs to 5. The predators — perch, pike and grayling — hunt where the baitfish gather, and on a water this size you soon learn where it holds its fish.
Whoever fishes Matalajärvi 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
- 1Tomas Ekpike52 cm
- 2Axel Boströmpike50 cm
- 3Axel Nilssonpike50 cm
- 4Per Dahlwhitefish26 cm
- 5Anna Månssonwhitefish24 cm
- 6Elin Nieminenperch18 cm
Species records here
pike50 cmAxel Boström
whitefish26 cmPer Dahl
perch18 cmElin Nieminen
The same water, for real
