Valen
southern clear oligotrophic forest lake · 58°N
clarity 6.1 mmax depth 13 mpH 6.7oligotrophicstatus goodforest track · 22 min for the last stretch
Character of the water
Valen lies in the south — a southern 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.
Moderately deep (13 m) — shallow bays, the odd reef and a deeper channel through the middle.
Permits & rules
Fishing permit required — Valen 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 Valen
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.
ruffe perch family
typically ~12 cm · can reach 22 cm
Ruffe lives down in the cool — the deep is its home ground all year.
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.
sarv fish
typically ~18 cm · can reach 38 cm
Here sarv lives on the small stuff — and rewards those who fish small and fine.
sutare fish
typically ~35 cm · can reach 60 cm
Sutare lives down in the cool — the deep is its home ground all year.
Fishing Valen
perch, pike and burbot sit at the top of the food chain in Valen, carried by ruffe, roach and sarv. The clearer water makes the fish wary — and rewards a careful presentation.
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 Valen are alike.
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
- 1Per Sundinburbot43 cm
- 2Karin Johansenburbot36 cm
- 3Bjørn Johansenperch18 cm
- 4Roland Lundsarv15 cm
- 5Petra Olofssonroach14 cm
- 6Lars Weberruffe10 cm
Species records here
burbot43 cmPer Sundin
perch18 cmBjørn Johansen
sarv15 cmRoland Lund
roach14 cmPetra Olofsson
ruffe10 cmLars Weber
The same water, for real
