Fiskeland Gotland är initierat av Sportfiskarna. Vår vision är ett hållbart fiske i friska vatten – för alla.




Welcome to Fishing Gotland

Fishing Gotland is aiming towards establishing a responsible and sustainable angling culture where we together ensure healthy fish stocks and future fishing possibilities.
Fishing Gotland is initiated by Swedish Anglers Association. Our vision is a sustainable fishery in healthy waters – for everyone. Welcome to Gotland!


Rules for coastal fishing (sea)

In Sweden, recreational fishing using hand-held gear (fishing rods) along all coasts and in the five largest lakes (Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Storsjön in Jämtland) is covered by what is known as free hand-held gear fishing. All foreign citizens have the same rights as Swedish citizens regarding fishing with hand-held gear with a line and hook. Foreign citizens who want to fish with mobile gear other than hand-held gear, such as nets, must obtain a special permit. Free hand-held gear fishing with a line and hook means that it is free of charge to fish and no licence or permit is required. However, there are statutory rules which must be followed at all times. Below is a summary of which fishing rules apply to Gotland’s coast and the species of fish that are subject to catch limits and/or minimum sizes.

Fishing rules for different species of fish

Sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta)
On Gotland, you can fish for sea trout all year round, but be mindful of the 25 protected areas where ALL fishing is prohibited from 1 September to 31 of January. You can still fish outside the protected areas, but please stay away from the areas in the autumn months during spawning. You are not allowed to keep more than one (1) wild sea trout per day when you fish with a rod and you have to respect the minimum size for sea trout on Gotland which is 50 cm. This applies to both wild fish and if you catch farmed fish (with the adipose fin clipped). All sea trout under 50 cm must be released, regardless of the condition of the fish. For further advice, also have a look at the "Sportfishing culture", at the end of this page.

Pike (Esox lucius)
Pike is protected in the coastal waters around the whole of Gotland from 1 March to 31 May inclusive. At other times, there is a catch limit of a maximum of three pike per person per day with a length of 40 to 75 cm. Given the poor status of the pike stocks, there is a recommendation not to keep pike at all until the stocks have recovered.

Perch (Perca fluviatilis)
Perch is also protected in the coastal waters around the whole of Gotland from 1 March to 31 May inclusive. Although there is still no catch limit for perch, there is a recommendation not to take more than five perch per person per day, and to release all specimens over 30 cm long.

Whitefish (Coregonus maraena)
Whitefish is protected in the entire coastal water area from 1 November to 15 December inclusive. There is no minimum size for catching whitefish around Gotland.

Flounder (Platichthys flesus)
Flounder is protected from 15 January to 15 May inclusive. There is no minimum size for fishing using hand-held gear.

Cod (Gadus morhua)
The minimum size for cod is 38 cm, but given the stock situation of this type of fish, a very limited take is recommended.

Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
Eels are protected all year round.

Further information can be found on the website of the County Administrative Board.



Rules for freshwater fishing (lakes, ponds and flowing water)

All fresh water on Gotland is private and the right to fish belongs to the fishing rights holder. It is forbidden to fish in the wetlands, irrigation ponds, water-filled lime quarries and streams around the island without a fishing licence or other type of permit. There are some waters for which you can buy a fishing licence or otherwise obtain permission to fish. Below is some information about these, as well as contact details and locations for purchasing fishing licences. Keep in mind that the fishing licence you buy or the permit you get is only valid for the water you intend to fish in. Make sure you know which rules apply to the particular water you intend to fish in before you start fishing!

Protected area for noble crayfish (Astacus astacus)

In order to protect the sensitive population of noble crayfish, the entire county of Gotland is considered to be a protected area. This means there are special regulations to consider when fishing in fresh water on Gotland.

Within the protected area, it is prohibited to:

  • hold, sell, buy or transport uncooked crayfish that do not originate from the area,
  • use fish as bait fish in the fresh water of the area if it has been caught in fresh water outside the area,
  • use fishing gear, boats, machines and other objects in the fresh water of the area without prior disinfection that have been used in fresh water outside the protection area, and
  • stock signal crayfish.

Västergarn harbour

Västergarn’s harbour area extends from the harbour and about 150 metres upstream in the river to a red marker at the river’s edge. Pole fishing in the harbour area is free and open to all, subject to the restrictions below. So, you don’t need a fishing licence to fish here.

Fishing regulations for the Västergarn harbour area

  • ALL FISHING IS PROHIBITED FROM 1 OCTOBER TO 31 DECEMBER
  • Fishing for pike and perch from 1 March to 31 May is prohibited.
  • At other times, a maximum of three pike may be caught and kept per fisher per day. Pike with a length of less than 40 cm and more than 75 cm must be released.

River Västergarnsån

Wadet’s community association sells fishing licences for the area from the red marker 150 metres upstream of the harbour to the road bridge (road 140).

Please note! All fishing upstream of the road bridge (road 140) and in Paviken has been prohibited since 2018. The ban applies all year round.

Fish species
Pike, perch, roach, rudd, ide and tench.

Fishing licence
A fishing licence is required for all fishing. Fishing regulations are displayed on the fishing licence and on the signage by the water.  You can buy a fishing licence online: www.ifiske.se

Contact
Bengt Wickman, tel. + 46 (0) 70-357 60 12
E-mail: [email protected]

River Närsån

River Närsån is located in the south-east of Gotland and there is a fishing stretch of around 2 km where you can buy a fishing licence to go fishing.

Fish species
Pike, perch, roach, rudd, ide, tench and silver Prussian carp.

Fishing licence
A valid fishing licence is required for all fishing. Fishing regulations are displayed on the fishing licence and on the signage by the water. You can buy a fishing licence online: www.ifiske.se

Contact
Kristin (Kickan) Karlsson, tel. +46 (0) 73-184 09 22
E-mail: [email protected]

Åminne (River Gothemsån)

The fishing stretch in the river Gothemsån at Åminne extends from the road bridge (road 146) and downstream to a straight line between Gothemsån’s estuary headlands, which is a distance of about 1.3 km. Fishing at Åminne is well-suited for families with children. Even people with reduced mobility can easily fish from the jetties.

Fish species
Pike, perch, roach, rudd, ide and tench.

Fishing licence
A valid fishing licence is required for all fishing. Fishing regulations are displayed on the fishing licence and on the signage by the water. You can buy a fishing licence online: www.ifiske.se

Youth fishing licence
For young anglers, there is a junior fishing licence, which is valid up to and including the year when you turn 19. The licence is free of charge. Download a fishing licence at www.ifiske.se. Don’t forget to sign your name and social security number. Have the fishing licence at hand during your fishing trip.

Contact
[email protected]

Lojstaträsken

Lojstaträsken is comprised of five small lakes where you can fish. Several of the lakes require a boat, which can be rented on site.

Fish species
Pike, perch, roach, rudd, tench and ruffe.

Fishing licence:
A valid fishing licence is required for all fishing. Fishing regulations are stated on the signs on site. Read more about fishing licences and regulations: www.lojsta.se
 
Contact
Magnus Ekström: +46 (0) 70-605 59 18 (fishing licence only)
Pia Hederstedt; +46 (0) 737–075740 (boats, canoes, overnight stay and fishing licence)
Christer Ardgren: +46 (0) 70 680 83 58 (boats and fishing licence)​​​​

Etelhem’s fishing licence area

Sigvaldeträsk and Hagebyträsk are situated in the Etelhem municipality. Sigvaldeträsk, with its maximum depth of an impressive 16 metres, is one of the deepest lakes on Gotland.

Fish species
Pike, perch, roach, rudd and tench.

Fishing licence
A valid fishing licence is required for all fishing. Fishing licence and regulations:
www.fiskekort.se

Contact
Ola Eriksson. tel. +46 (0) 73-701 38 77
Per Widerström, tel. + 46 (0) 70-253 77 72

Sportfishing culture – Advise for a better fishing experience

Gotland’s coast and exotic scenery combined with the chance to catch large and wild seatrout (anadromous brown trout) attracts many anglers. To preserve this fishery for the future and show consideration to fish, nature and other anglers, there are several rules and laws to follow. In addition to strict rules and regulations a local sportfishing culture has been developed by Swedish Anglers Association in collaboration with fishing clubs and the sportfishing industry on Gotland.

Please read through and consider following advices and feel free to spread them on to your fellow fishing friends. Together we can contribute to a better fishery and a friendly atmosphere on the coast.

  • Make sure you have knowledge of- and respect current fishing regulations. Respect forbidden trespassing in bird-protection areas and roads closed to public. Also consider the ‘off-road driving act’ and the ‘right of public access’.
  • Keep gladly fish for consumption but please limit your total landings. As a rule of thumb: do not keep more fish than you intend to eat. ¨Colored¨ fish (pre- or post-spawned) should always be returned unharmed.
  • Large fish are of extra importance for the rejuvenation of new trout and thus, these shall preferably be released unharmed.
  • If you happen to catch a stocked trout (missing adipose fin) or rainbow trout, be happy to keep it. Keep in mind though that minimum length of 50 cm applies for both wild- and stocked trout (does not apply for rainbow trout).
  • Handle fish that you intend to release carefully and avoid bringing those fish on to land. Please use a net with rubber-mesh and unhook the fish in the water with a pair of pliers.
  • If you want to take photos of a fish which will be released, do it as quickly and carefully as possible while keeping the fish in the water, to minimize the risk of injuring the fish.
  • Keep well distance to other anglers and do not go out in front of someone that is already fishing. Please talk to each other to avoid annoyance.
  • Keep clean and do not leave trash in nature. Please pick up plastic or other trash that you find washed up along the shore.

Take care, safety first – always, and enjoy fishing!