Smalsjön, Stora

clear oligotrophic forest lake · 60°N

Real lakereal shoreline6 species on recordreal water chemistrysources & method →

clarity 5.7 mmax depth 3 mpH 6.4oligotrophicstatus goodforest track · 22 min for the last stretch

Character of the water

Smalsjön, Stora lies in central Sweden — a clear oligotrophic forest lake. The water is crystal-clear and the fish skittish in the sharp light.

The surroundings

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

Shallow throughout (max 3 m), with reeds and vegetation over large areas — water that warms fast in spring.

Permits & rules

Fishing permit required — Smalsjön, Stora 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 Smalsjön, Stora

perch predatory fish

typically ~22 cm · can reach 45 cm

Perch moves carefully in the clear water — small mouthfuls, many of them.

ål fish

typically ~55 cm · can reach 110 cm

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

pike predatory fish

typically ~62 cm · can reach 120 cm

In the clear water pike picks its moments — wary, but relentless once committed.

burbot bottom fish

typically ~45 cm · can reach 90 cm

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

roach coarse fish

typically ~18 cm · can reach 32 cm

Roach moves carefully in the clear water — small mouthfuls, many of them.

whitefish whitefish

typically ~30 cm · can reach 55 cm

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

Fishing Smalsjön, Stora

Smalsjön, Stora holds 6 species, with perch, pike and burbot at the top of the chain and ål, roach and whitefish schooling beneath them. The modest depth keeps most of the fishing within reach of the bank.

Every session at Smalsjön, Stora is fished in whatever conditions hold right then — the same pressure, wind and light as over the real water. What bites today isn't what bit the day before, and those who return learn the water for real.

General rules of thumb for this kind of water

Clear water makes fish light-shy — dawn, dusk and night are usually best.

The catch board

6 anglers · 12 catches

1Stefan Ekpike52 cm
2Mats Bergål47 cm
3Rickard Olofssonål44 cm
4Stefan Ekburbot42 cm
5Axel Petterssonburbot39 cm
6Ole Forsbergwhitefish25 cm

Species records here

pike52 cmStefan Ek

ål47 cmMats Berg

burbot39 cmAxel Pettersson

whitefish25 cmOle Forsberg

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