What's a fishing permit?

Fishing rights in Sweden's lakes and rivers are privately owned. To fish there you need a fishing permit. Along the coast and in the five largest lakes, it is different.

A fishing permit does not give you the right to fish anything and anyhow. Every fishing permit comes with local fishing rules that you must read and follow. Fishing rules are an important part of fisheries management and are there to keep fishing sustainable in the long term.

• Protected species

  Some species may not be kept.

• Minimum sizes

  Fish under a certain size go back in the water.

• Closed seasons and areas

  Periods or places where a species may not be fished.

Fishing in private waters belongs to the owner of the fishing rights. If you do not have fishing rights yourself, you have to acquire them, for instance by buying a fishing permit or signing a lease. In short, a fishing permit is a way to buy the right to fish for a limited time.

1. 1

   The fishing-rights owner

   Owns the fishing and decides on the rules, and whether permits are sold online. Often a fishery conservation association.

2. 2

   iFiske

   The marketplace where the purchase is made and the permit is issued electronically, on the owner's behalf.

3. 3

   You

   Fish while the permit is valid, follow the local rules and can identify yourself at an inspection.

Others who lease out fishing waters

• Sport fishing clubs
• Companies that lease waters
• Forestry companies
• Estates and forest owners
• The Church of Sweden
• Municipalities
• Community associations and commons