Scientific name
Silurus glanis
Swedish name
Mal
Maximum length
up to 250 cm
Maximum weight
up to 100 kg
Spawning
Frühsommer bei warmem Wasser
Swedish record
Nicht relevant — die Art ist geschützt

Technique in brief

We deliberately do not describe any fishing methods here because targeted angling for wels catfish is prohibited in Sweden. Anyone who hooks a wels catfish while angling for other species should keep the fight short, unhook the fish in the water and release it immediately.

Tackle

No tackle for targeted fishing. Only what is required for an accidental encounter is relevant: a large landing net, or preferably no landing at all, side cutters and a willingness to leave the fish in the water.

Handling the catch

A wels catfish must not be pulled ashore, weighed or lifted out of the water for a photograph. Remove the hook in the water or cut the line, and support the fish until it dives away by itself — with a species that has three remaining populations, every individual counts.

Where in Scandinavia

Official sources

Checked: 04.08.2026

Frequently asked questions

May you fish for wels catfish in Sweden?

No. The species has been protected under the Fisheries Act since 1994; fishing for and landing it is prohibited, and caught fish must be released immediately.

Where does the wels catfish still occur in Sweden?

In three populations: in the Nyköpingsån system, including Båven; in the Helge å system, including Möckeln; and in the lower reaches of the Emån. The Båven population is the northernmost in Europe.

What should I do if I accidentally hook a wels catfish?

Keep the fight short, leave the fish in the water, remove the hook there or cut the line, and release it immediately — without weighing it or lifting it out of the water.