In-depth look at fishing regulations

Fishing regulations are designed to protect fish stocks from overfishing in various ways. The following is a summary of closed seasons, minimum sizes, catch limits, protected areas, fishing bans within 3 meters of the depth contour for volume-catching gear, and the purpose of the various regulations.

Closed Seasons

You can fish for most species year-round, but there are closed seasons for some species. Closed seasons are periods when you are not allowed to fish for those specific species. These rules are in place to protect the fish during their spawning season (reproduction).

Minimum and maximum sizes

To protect and preserve local and sometimes very sensitive fish populations, minimum size limits are established. The minimum size limit specifies the lower limit for how small a fish you are allowed to keep. The idea is that the small fish should have time to grow and reproduce at least once before they can be caught.

For certain species, maximum sizes also apply, in order to protect the truly large individuals that are important not only for their own species but also for the balance of the entire Baltic Sea.

It is recommended that large grayling, longer than 45 cm, be released, as they have significant reproductive value for the entire grayling population along the coast.

The fish’s length is measured from the tip of the snout to the outermost tip of the tail fin.

Catch limits

To ensure that no more fish are caught than the stock can sustain, there are also rules regarding catch limits. This means that you may not catch more than a certain number of fish of a specific species per day.

Conservation Areas at River Mouths

Off the coast of four of the five rivers that flow into the sea (the Åby, Byske, Kåge, and Bure rivers) in Skellefteå Municipality, there are state-designated conservation areas with special fishing regulations to protect the rivers’ local populations of salmon and trout. The exception is off the Skellefte River, where farmed salmon and trout are released as compensation for the hydroelectric power plant expansion in the river. In the Skellefte River estuary, there is what is known as a terminal fishing area, the purpose of which is to promote fishing for these farmed fish.

A map of the protected areas shows where these areas are located in Skellefteå Municipality, and on the Swedish fishing regulations External link, opens in new window. website, you can read all the rules that apply in these areas.

Near the river mouths within the protected areas, it is permitted to fish with hand gear where the fishing method itself does not require the use of a boat. It is therefore permitted to stand in a boat and cast a lure. It is not permitted to tow a lure behind the boat (trolling).

Fishing Ban Near Waterways That Flow Into the Coast

Offshore of coastal waterways within the municipality of Skellefteå, a total fishing ban is in effect from September 1 through December 31 within 200 meters of the mouth of the waterway.

Prohibited Fishing Methods

It is prohibited to fish using any type of gear intended to hook or snag one or more hooks on the outside of the fish, i.e., snagging and similar methods.

It is also prohibited to fish with a spear, harpoon, javelin, or other gear used to impale the fish. Catching fish with firearms, explosives, poison, or electric current is also not permitted.

Fishing Prohibited Within the 3-Meter Depth Contour

In water areas with a depth of less than three meters according to current nautical charts, fishing with nets is prohibited from April 1 through June 10 and from October 1 through December 31. However, fishing with nets having a mesh size smaller than 37 mm is permitted from October 1 through October 31. This rule is intended to protect the vulnerable sea trout.

The mesh size refers to the stretched mesh (diagonal length). The mesh size is determined by first stretching out the net mesh and then measuring the diagonal length. For example, a square mesh with a 50 mm side (mesh opening) is a 100 mm stretched mesh.