Svartån (Västerlösa-Älvestad)

Record fish of chub, rudd, roach, bream and other coarse fish are caught continuously in Svartån. But large pike and perch also lurk here. The river has produced Swedish records for both chub and rudd (3,46 kg and 1,72 kg respectively). More than 450 fish caught here are included on various record lists. Bream weighing 3,8 kg and roach weighing over 1 kg have been recorded. The size of the pike and perch is not unique, but they can weigh up to ten and 1,5 kg respectively. Svartån flows from Sommen in the southern Östergötland highlands to Roxen in the middle of the plain, with an elevation difference of over 100 metres. At first the river is rapid and flowing, but across the great plain it flows calmly and dignifiedly while the water becomes increasingly nutrient-rich. Östanbäck lies halfway between Sommen and Roxen along the 60 km-long Svartån. The local fishing permit applies to nine km of the river. FISH SPECIES The most common fish species are pike, perch, roach, bream, chub, rudd, vimma, eel, burbot, tench, asp and ide. Altogether there are 20 species in the river, including signal crayfish. FISHING Chub, roach and rudd are fished from February to Midsummer and from August to November. Coarse fish are mainly caught by bottom fishing. Spinning for pike is good from March to October and for perch from May to September. Chub and pike also take flies. During winter, fishing is possible if the ice is safe. Crayfish are fished in August–September. Free fishing for children and young people up to and including the age of 15. Only when accompanied by a parent/guardian/adult/person who has a valid fishing permit (from that person's quota). Fishing permit and boat booking In the middle of the Östergötland plain lies Svartån, which flows between the large lakes Sommen and Roxen. The river flows 75 metres behind Östanbäck farm. Here is “Sweden's hottest coarse-fishing water”, according to the specialist press. At Östanbäcks Fiske there is a modern, fully equipped house for eight guests, a two-minute walk from “Sweden's hottest coarse-fishing water”.