🎣 7 curated fishing spots
🗺️ Interactive map
📍 Community places
Gothenburg sits where the Göta älv river runs into the Kattegat, giving the city three very different kinds of fishing within reach: a pike-holding river through the centre, quiet lake nature reserves just outside it, and the open North Sea along the Bohuslän coast.
Sweden's "right of public access" (allemansrätten) covers free fishing along the coast, including the Bohuslän archipelago, with no licence required. The Göta älv and the small lakes around the city aren't covered by allemansrätten's lake exemption, though — a local permit (sold as the "Yellow Card," covering around 60 waters in the area) is needed for those.
Fishing Spots
The 7 best fishing spots in Gothenburg
All spots are curated and mapped — click any card for the full story, or open the map to explore.
Gothenburg #1
Göta älv at Kungälv
The stretch of the Göta älv running from the Tingstad tunnel up to Kungälv is a relatively unexplored pike fis…
Read more →
Gothenburg #2
Lilla Bommen, city centre
Where the Göta älv runs past Gothenburg's old harbourfront and the Opera House, right in the centre of the cit…
Read more →
Gothenburg #3
Delsjön
A pair of connected lakes in a nature reserve just east of central Gothenburg, popular with both anglers and s…
Read more →
Gothenburg #4
Vättlefjäll nature reserve
A larger, hillier nature reserve north of the city with several lakes holding pike, perch, and carp. Quieter a…
Read more →
Gothenburg #5
Smögen, Bohuslän archipelago
A picture-postcard fishing village on the Bohuslän coast, a couple of hours north of Gothenburg, where the woo…
Read more →
Gothenburg #6
Hålsjöns fiskebrygga
A fishing jetty (fiskebrygga) on Hålsjön near Gothenburg. Inland lakes in the area typically require the local…
Read more →
Gothenburg #7
Axlavad
Axlavad is a lake at Bunketorp in Lindome, south of Gothenburg; fishing requires membership of Mölndals Sportf…
Read more →
Practical Info
Planning your visit
Best timeSpring and autumn for pike on the Göta älv; summer for saltwater species along the Bohuslän coast.
Getting thereGothenburg Landvetter Airport (GOT) connects to major European hubs. Central river spots are walkable from downtown; Delsjön and Vättlefjäll are a short bus ride, and Smögen is roughly two hours north by car.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Gothenburg
Do you need a licence to fish in Gothenburg?
Coastal and Bohuslän archipelago fishing is free under Sweden's allemansrätten, no licence needed. The Göta älv and the lakes at Delsjön and Vättlefjäll require a local permit, commonly sold as the area's "Yellow Card" — check current rules before casting.
What fish can you catch in Gothenburg?
Pike are the headline catch on the Göta älv, especially the Kungälv stretch. Perch and carp are common in the Delsjön and Vättlefjäll lakes, and cod and other saltwater species are caught straight off the quay at coastal spots like Smögen.
Where are the best fishing spots in Gothenburg?
The Göta älv at Kungälv for pike, Delsjön for an easy lake session close to the centre, and Smögen on the Bohuslän coast for saltwater fishing. See the full list of spots below or open the map to explore.
Can you fish in Gothenburg without a boat?
Yes — every spot listed here is shore, quay, or bank fishing. The central river spots and Delsjön are both walkable or a short bus ride from downtown.
When is the best time to fish in Gothenburg?
Spring and autumn are best for pike on the Göta älv. Summer is best for the lakes and for saltwater species along the Bohuslän coast.
Explore Gothenburg on the map
See all 7 fishing spots pinned on an interactive map — and add your own discoveries.
Roadmap
More features coming
🌤️Weather & Bite Alerts
Coming soon
📖Species Guides
Coming soon