Trout-salmonfishing.com - Fishing for salmon and sea trout in Klarälven

About

Klarälven is one of Sweden’s longest rivers and the water springs from the Norwegian side at Femundsvassdraget which is situated between Hedmark and Sör-Tröndelag. The river is called Trysilälven, in Norway, and runs from Femunden down to Sweden , a strecht on nearly 16 miles before it reaches the Swedish borderline at Långflon and runs into Höjlessjön. The river continues from there, under the name Klarälven and in its continuous journey southward it runs through small villages, Syssel back, Likenäs, Ambjörby, Ekshärad, Råda, Munkfors, Molkom, Forshaga and at the end Karlstad, where the river runs out into Vänern. The stretch is approximately 30 miles long.

During the floating epoch in the river, it was clear for stones and other obstacles, so the timber was able to float freely, which were destructive for the fish’s stand and playing grounds. But now people are working hard to re-establish the river by putting out rocks and such things to recreate good conditions for the fish.

Johnny Hansen with a beautiful Gullspångsöring at 6, 7 kg caught 27/6-07. Photo: Oskar Anderson.

Fishing

Oskar Andersson with a totally blank Gullspångs salmon Weight: 8,8 kg caught June 28. 2007. Photo: Johnny Hansen

You’ll find the the best fishing in Klarälven in Forshagaforsen. You have got one of Sweden’s best salmon fishing there, with a unique salmon tribe. You fish Klarälvs salmon and trout, which have its growth area in Vänern and therefore a lake water growth. There are even fully grown Gullspång’s salmon and trout, which are stocked, therefore Klarälven works like a genebank for Gullspångälven. The angling is controlled and there are limited fishing cards, which needs to be booked early at the season, if you want to fish during the best periods. There are even possibilities to hire fly fishing equipment and a freezer is available, during the offices opening hours, for storage of a catch.

The angling is in 6 different zones, zone 1-6. It is only fly fishing with single hooks at the first three zones, zone 1-3, so that it is easier to release the fish. Zone 1 starts from the safety zone downstream power plant to Griseholmen and there is only 4 anglers allowed at the same time. The price depends on the season, but it costs about 150-350 SEK per day. Within zone 2, from the end of zone 1 down to the ravine just down to the little rivers opening you’ll find the best spots to fish. It is only allowed to fish with a floating line and due to the tidewater it could be from boat or by wading in the river. Here is 5 fishing cards allowed and the price per day is from 250-500 SEK. In zone 3, from zone 2 and down to the railroad bridge, spin flies are allowed. The price here is 100-150 SEK per day.

Zone 4-6, downstreams of the railroad bridge, is there fishing from the shore as well as from boat, here is 10 cards per day available. 5 cards on one side of the river, and 5 cards on the other side, both spin and fly fishing are allowed and it is up to you, which hook you want to fish with, but lead is banned. The price for a fishing card is 100 kr. Zone 6 is from zone 5 down to Bävergatan/pumpstation. Fishing here is from boat or from the shore. Only 15 anglers per day are allowed to fish. Both fly and spin fishing is allowed, lead is still banned. A Fishing license here costs 50 SEK per day.

More about fishing

The best time for angling is between May 20. to September 30. when the salmon and trout really are protected, but you can fish under strict rules. There is angling for fish which has been in the river during the winter, from January 1. to May 19. and you can even be lucky and catch a blank fish when it gets closer to the spring. There is no fishing for salmon and trout from September 1. to Oktober 31. but it is possible to fish for grayling.

Michael Jonsson with a Gullspångslax at 6,7 kg caught on zone 2 on September 9. 2004. on a sunny afternoon on a Blankknacken, fishing by boat. Photograph Peter Johansson