Scientific name
Squalius cephalus
Swedish name
Färna
Maximum length
up to 60 cm
Maximum weight
up to 4 kg
Spawning
Mai–Juni über Kies
Swedish record
Kapitale Fische über 2,5 kg

Technique in brief

Stalking and casting precisely to the fish is more successful than any rig. A free line with bread, cheese or cherry, small wobblers and dry flies all work, provided the first cast is accurate. A second attempt in the same spot rarely achieves anything.

Tackle

A light spinning or match rod, main line of around 0.20 mm, and as little lead as possible. Polarised glasses help more with sight fishing than any other item of equipment.

Handling the catch

Chub are robust fish, but stocks in small rivers are limited. Keep the fight short, unhook them in the water and release them — they are not highly regarded as food fish in any case because of their many bones.

Season by country

  1. Jan Quiet
  2. Feb Quiet
  3. Mar Quiet
  4. Apr Quiet
  5. May Good
  6. Jun Prime time
  7. Jul Prime time
  8. Aug Prime time
  9. Sep Good
  10. Oct Quiet
  11. Nov Quiet
  12. Dec Quiet

Prime time · Good · Quiet

The calendar shows bite windows, not closed seasons. Binding closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by the individual water and appear on its page.

Where in Scandinavia

Official sources

Checked: 04.08.2026

Frequently asked questions

Where can you find chub in Sweden?

In the rivers and streams of Skåne, Blekinge and southern Småland. North of there, the species is practically absent.

Why is chub so difficult to catch?

It is exceptionally wary and flees from shadows, vibrations or a clumsy cast. The first precise cast therefore almost always determines success.

Which baits work?

Almost anything, as long as the presentation is right: bread and cheese on a free line, small wobblers, dry flies and, in late summer, berries as well.