Your angling adventure in Lapland

Swedish Lapland is called the “Alaska of Europe” for good reason: around 20 km north of the Arctic Circle stretches a wilderness of more than 20,000 km² – slightly smaller than Wales. The region is shaped by the Sámi, the indigenous people of Lapland, many of whom still live traditionally from reindeer herding, as well as by tourism and the iron ore mining around Kiruna.

What stands out most on the map is the sheer, barely countable variety of lakes and rivers. For anglers that means almost unlimited opportunities to fish for wild salmonids in complete solitude on untouched water.

The Kiruna Fjäll is a paradise for anglers, with plenty to offer both fly fishers and spin anglers. Day trips into the surrounding area are just as possible as helicopter flights into the middle of the wilderness. You'll fish for grayling, brown trout, Arctic char, salmon, pike and perch – in impressive numbers and sizes. The dry-fly fishing for grayling in particular is considered absolutely world class.

Many rivers are also well suited to multi-day trips with inflatable kayaks: the helicopter drops you at one point and picks you up again a few days later at an agreed meeting point. The season starts in mid-June; as it progresses, snow and ice melt and gradually open up further waters. While many providers mainly promote the well-known Kaitum River, pukka destinations has specialised in less crowded, lesser-known rivers – fishing the Kaitum is of course still possible on request.

Because every water is different, booking is target-species driven: based on the species you want to catch, pukka destinations will suggest suitable areas. The price depends on distance, the type of transfer (car or helicopter) and add-ons such as lavvu tents or kayaks – including an information pack with gear and lure recommendations. You book your own flight, stock up in Kiruna and start fishing.