Stora Patan

Character of the water

Stora Patan lies in central Sweden — a nutrient-rich lowland lake. In summer a thermocline settles around 5 m and splits the lake into two worlds.

The surroundings

The lake sits close to town with a road right up to it — easy to reach, but hard-fished and exposed to nutrient runoff from the buildings and fields all around.

Moderately deep (9 m) — shallow bays, the odd reef and a deeper channel through the middle.

Permits & rules

Fishing permit required — Stora Patan 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.

Fishing Stora Patan

Stora Patan holds 5 species, with perch, pike and zander at the top of the chain and roach and bream schooling beneath them. The modest depth keeps most of the fishing within reach of the bank.

Whoever fishes Stora Patan 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.

General rules of thumb for this kind of water

• Nutrient-rich lakes hold plenty of baitfish but often murky water.