Venjanssjön

Venjanssjön is a large lake situated 53 km west of Mora and 43 km north-east of Malung. The lake varies greatly in depth, with many shallows, bays and islands, and is therefore somewhat difficult to navigate by boat. Some shallows are marked with spruce branches or buoys; a detailed depth chart is available. The lake contains plenty of pike and perch. Trolling is popular and competitions are held every year. Boats must be checked without fail before launching to prevent infection. The lake has a threatened population of a vendace that exists in only one other lake in Dalarna. A control fee applies. The lake also contains perch, pike, trout, vendace, etc. Venjanssjön freezes solid during normal winters and attracts many ice anglers. Competitions are sometimes also held, although the pandemic restricted this in recent years. The lake’s role as a reservoir in the Dalälven regulation area means that it is lowered by just over 4,5 metres during winter. Venjanssjön has historically been a very rich water for fishing. Long before the area had permanent settlements, mainly farmers from Vika and Mora established fishing places on the shores to gather fish for winter food. When the permanent settlement had become large enough to lead to the establishment of its own parish, 1607, the aforementioned farmers demanded that a large part of the lake should belong to them because of its importance for their livelihood. The result was that the new parish became hourglass-shaped. The parish seal showed a fishing hut with fishing nets drying. The rich fish population is mentioned in many other contexts. When Johannisholm power station was built, fish migration was restricted partly by the power station itself and also by damming the largest tributary, Vanån. Subsequently, the second-largest tributary, Ogströmmen, and partly Kräggån at its mill dam were also dammed. Since the power station was built, the lake’s fish population has changed, so that trout has been reduced from one of the most common catches to an unusual catch. The lake cannot independently sustain a trout population; running water is required for trout spawning, and the adjacent watercourses therefore play an important role. The current fish population consists of pike, vendace, vendace, bream, perch, roach, etc. Pike is often caught by visiting trolling anglers and when angling. Vendace is caught by local fishermen using seine nets, which is a growing local tradition. Interest in the fish population has focused on preserving the so-called Venjan vendace, plankton-feeding vendace or Coregonus nilssoni, which has been an important source of food and income for the inhabitants of Venjan. Free fishing for children and young people up to and including the age of 15. Handheld tackle only. Venjanssjöns FVOF intends partly to restore the opportunities for catches in the lake in accordance with the water judgment, and partly to try to recreate a natural trout population. The aims are both to restore residents’ opportunity to make catches and to make Venjanssjön a more attractive destination for fishing tourism.