Scientific name
Tinca tinca
Swedish name
Sutare
Maximum length
up to 70 cm
Maximum weight
up to 7 kg
Spawning
Juni–Juli bei hohen Wassertemperaturen
Swedish record
Kapitale Fische über 4 kg

Technique in brief

Use delicate float fishing in gaps in the vegetation and along the edges of water lilies, feeding the swim sparingly but precisely. The best time is early morning between sunrise and eight o'clock; after that, the fish retreats. Bites are typically hesitant — the float moves sideways rather than submerging.

Tackle

A stronger match rod or light feeder rod is necessary because the fight almost always takes the fish into the vegetation. Main line around 0.22 mm, hooks 8–12, with sweetcorn, maggots, worms or pieces of bread as bait.

Handling the catch

The tench has a particularly thick layer of mucus and is susceptible to injury. Wet hands, little time out of the water, unhooking over the mat — then it can be returned unharmed.

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

What is the best time of day for tench?

The first hour after sunrise. Tench feed early and retreat into dense vegetation as the sun rises.

Where are tench found in Swedish lakes?

In shallow, vegetated bays with soft bottoms, among beds of water lilies and along reed edges — rarely in clear, deep water.

Why are tench bites so difficult to detect?

The tench sucks in the bait and moves slowly; the float trembles and moves sideways rather than going decisively under. Striking at the first clear movement is usually right.