Fishing in the Swedish mountains: licences and rules
Char, brown trout and grayling live in thousands of mountain lakes and streams. Almost all of that water requires a fishing licence, and the rules change from county to county. This page explains who sells the licences, what they cost in Norrbotten and which rules catch visitors out most often.
Who sells the licences?
Free fishing with a rod only applies along the coast and in five named lakes: Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Storsjön in Jämtland. Every mountain lake and stream needs permission from whoever owns the fishing rights.
Above the cultivation boundary, odlingsgränsen, most water belongs to the state. The county administrative boards in Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Jämtland manage it and sell licences through the NatureIT booking system or local retailers.
Norrbotten splits its mountain water into four licence areas, one each for Arjeplog, Jokkmokk, Gällivare and Kiruna. Each area has its own rules leaflet with maps, published in English.
| County | Licence | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Norrbotten | Four municipal cards: Arjeplog, Jokkmokk, Gällivare, Kiruna | NatureIT or local retailers |
| Västerbotten | State water above the cultivation boundary | NatureIT or local retailers |
| Jämtland | State water and reindeer grazing fells | NatureIT or retailers listed by Sami village |
| Dalarna | Dala mountain licence for Fulufjället and parts of Långfjället | NatureIT or retailers |
| Dalarna, other reserves | Card from the Särna-Idre fishing association | The association |
In Dalarna the county board only manages fishing in Fulufjället National Park and parts of the Långfjället reserve. A local fishing association handles the other mountain reserves, and the Storån stretch between Särsjön and Töfsingån needs a special quota card.
What a licence costs in Norrbotten
| Licence | Price 2026 |
|---|---|
| 1 day | 70 SEK |
| 3 days | 125 SEK |
| 7 days | 220 SEK |
| Annual | 440 SEK |
| Family member over 16 on annual card | 125 SEK |
Prices come from the Kiruna card leaflet for 2026. Carry the licence with you, either printed or saved on your phone, since mobile coverage is poor in large parts of the mountains. An annual card must show the names of every family member it covers.
Rules that catch visitors out
The general rules below apply to state water in Norrbotten. Other counties have similar but not identical rules, so read the leaflet for the area you will fish.
- One rodThe licence covers one rod with one line and up to three hooks. Set lines and unattended ice rods are not allowed.
- No natural bait in streamsWorms, maggots, shrimp and bait fish are banned in running water.
- Bag limitYou may keep five trout and grayling combined per day.
- Minimum sizes35 cm for trout and grayling and 50 cm for salmon, from snout to tail tip.
- Autumn closureTrout fishing in running water is closed from 1 September to 31 December.
- No sellingFish caught on a licence may not be sold.
Some popular waters are quota waters with a limited number of fishing days. In Norrbotten you apply between 1 January and 31 March and permits are drawn by lot in April. Västerbotten keeps its application open until 30 April.
Fishing without a licence is a crime. The county board in Norrbotten says such cases often lead to a conviction in the district court.
Sami village waters
On 23 January 2020 the Supreme Court ruled in the Girjas case. Girjas Sami village won the exclusive right to grant licences for small game hunting and fishing on its land above the cultivation boundary in the Gällivare mountains, without the consent of the state.
The state licence therefore does not apply on Girjas land. The Kiruna card leaflet points this out, so check the map before you fish near the border between Kiruna and Gällivare.
In Jämtland several licences are sold through retailers linked to individual Sami villages, which is shown in the county board list of sellers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a fishing licence in the Swedish mountains?
Yes, almost always. Free rod fishing only applies on the coast and in Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Storsjön.
Where do I buy a licence?
Online through NatureIT or from local retailers such as mountain stations and shops.
How much does a licence cost?
In Norrbotten 70 SEK for one day, 125 SEK for three days, 220 SEK for a week and 440 SEK for a year in 2026.
Can I use worms?
Not in running water. Natural bait is banned in streams and rivers on state water in Norrbotten.
How many fish can I keep?
Five trout and grayling combined per day in Norrbotten, with a minimum size of 35 cm.
Does the state licence work everywhere?
No. Girjas Sami village land, quota waters and some reserves need other permits.
What happens if I fish without a licence?
It is a crime that can end up in the district court.
Sources
- www.lansstyrelsen.se: County Administrative Board of Norrbotten: fishing in the mountains
- www.lansstyrelsen.se: Norrbotten: licence leaflets 2026, including the Kiruna card
- www.lansstyrelsen.se: Norrbotten: quota waters
- www.lansstyrelsen.se: Norrbotten: where free fishing applies
- www.lansstyrelsen.se: County Administrative Board of Västerbotten: fishing in the mountains
- www.lansstyrelsen.se: County Administrative Board of Jämtland: fishing in the mountains
- www.lansstyrelsen.se: County Administrative Board of Dalarna: fishing in the mountains
- www.domstol.se: Supreme Court of Sweden: the Girjas case, press release
Facts checked on 6 November 2026.
English pages. Guide to the Swedish mountains, national parks, Sápmi and reindeer herding, Laponia World Heritage, mountain nature and fishing licences.
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