Smaltjärnen
nutrient-rich lowland lake · 60°N
Real lakesources & method →
clarity 2.7 mmax depth 7 mpH 7.4eutrophicstatus unsatisfactorygravel road
Character of the water
Smaltjärnen lies in central Sweden — a nutrient-rich lowland lake.
The surroundings
The lake lies half-remote, a fair way from the nearest road, tucked into woodland.
Moderately deep (7 m) — shallow bays, the odd reef and a deeper channel through the middle.
Permits & rules
Fishing permit required — Smaltjärnen FVOF. Day permit ~100 kr · annual permit ~500 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.
Species in Smaltjärnen
perch predatory fish
typically ~22 cm · can reach 45 cm
Perch grazes the rich water in schools — where there's one, there are more.
pike predatory fish
typically ~62 cm · can reach 120 cm
In the murky light, pike shadows the baitfish and hits in short rushes.
roach coarse fish
typically ~18 cm · can reach 32 cm
Roach grazes the rich water in schools — where there's one, there are more.
zander predatory fish
typically ~50 cm · can reach 95 cm
In the murky light, zander shadows the baitfish and hits in short rushes.
bream coarse fish
typically ~38 cm · can reach 65 cm
Down on the bottom bream sifts the soft ground — patience beats speed here.
ruffe perch family
typically ~12 cm · can reach 22 cm
Down on the bottom ruffe sifts the soft ground — patience beats speed here.
Fishing Smaltjärnen
Smaltjärnen holds 6 species, with perch, pike and zander at the top of the chain and roach, bream and ruffe schooling beneath them. The modest depth keeps most of the fishing within reach of the bank.
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 Smaltjärnen are alike.
General rules of thumb for this kind of water
- Nutrient-rich lakes hold plenty of baitfish but often murky water.
The catch board
- 1Nils Åbergzander44 cm
- 2Elin Fischerzander43 cm
- 3Gustav Raskroach18 cm
- 4Anders Månssonperch18 cm
- 5Kjell Karlssonroach14 cm
- 6Elin Hansenruffe10 cm
Species records here
zander44 cmNils Åberg
roach18 cmGustav Rask
perch18 cmAnders Månsson
ruffe10 cmElin Hansen
The same water, for real
