When it comes to fishing holidays, Sweden is not a place that immediately springs to mind, nor one that tends to trouble the upper echelons of lists detailing casting hotspots around the globe. This, however, is a good thing as much of the charm and adventure of fishing in Sweden comes from its relatively undiscovered and unknown nature. Unique experiences are on offer in this part of the world that will blossom into unique tales and fond memories.

For starters, the waters themselves are something of an oddity. Bar a small section on the west coast, the majority of Swedish sea fishing is undertaken in the Baltic Sea, the ecology of which differs greatly from the waves that lap against Norway’s west coastline. The Baltic Sea has such a low salt level that it essentially leads to something between salt and freshwater fishing. While the only sea fish on offer here are cod, sea trout and salmon (as many other sea fish simply cannot live in waters where the salt level is so low), there is a large number of freshwater species such as pike, perch and walleye available to catch.

In order to maximise your chances of success, it’s important to time your fishing breaks correctly. Spring, which runs from February to May, is the prime season for sea trout. Though a decent catch rate stands at a rather meagre one to two per day, the fish tend to be hefty in size. Springtime in Sweden is considered to give fishers the best chance among anywhere in the world of landing a trophy (anything over 10 lb) trout. Trophy pikes are on offer during March in the weeks before breeding season; however, they are protected in some areas during their spawning period which runs from April to May.

The perch season occupies late summer; from July onwards, the right spot can see a significant return on your casting. Whether you choose to bring your own equipment or lease everything, including boats, from one of the many available outlets, the setting, directly by the sea, is perfect for casting out in search of pike, perch, salmon and trout. High class fishing is on offer in Grankullaviken and the coast as you head towards the Kalmer Channel and the Baltic while, of the many fishing regions in Sweden, Oland is considered a particular highlight.

It is here that pike, in particular, is available in abundance and individual catches of over 10 kg are commonplace. The clear waters of Grankulla bay also house species of eel, flounder, whitefish, roach and, if you’re really lucky, garfish. The bay itself is sheltered and surrounded by peninsulas and such is the proximity to the ocean; the interchanging of the water in Grankullaviken is good and ensures fresh, clear aqua all year round.

In the north of the country, Swedish Lapland is another must on the itinerary for fishing weekends and escapades where you can take on the challenge of fishing for five types of salmon. The added perk of sea fishing in the north of Norway is only 560 km away as guided boat tours ensure you see the very best of everything this spectacular region has to offer.

Typically, the best time to fish in Swedish Lapland is 1 May - 1 June, or from 20 September - 15 November. While the fish are of course central to any venture, this region perhaps offers more as a whole experience than any other.

With an array of fishing locations set against such a stunning natural environment, Sweden’s rise to top of the fishing rankings seems both inevitable and unstoppable.