Ranking the Top Fly Fishing Species in Scandinavia

Scandinavia is home to an incredible diversity of fly fishing species, from powerful saltwater predators to delicate dry fly feeders. In this article, we’re ranking some of our favorite fish to target on the fly based on several key factors:

• Seasonality – How much of the year can you realistically target this species?
• Abundance – Is this fish widely available, or is it rare and difficult to access?
• Intrigue – Does this fish take you to beautiful places? Is it fascinating to catch?
• Food – Can you (ethically) eat it, and how does it taste?
• Fight – What’s it like once you hook one? Does it battle hard, or give up easily?

Let’s dive into the rankings.

1. Pollack (Pollachius pollachius) 

Seasonality: 6/10
Pollack have a strong fly fishing season from May to October, making them a solid warm-weather target.

Abundance: 8/10
Extremely abundant within their range in Southern Norway, with very large fish available to shore anglers.

Intrigue: 8/10
Aggressive predators that thrive in beautiful coastal waters, thriving around rocky marks and dropoffs.

Food: 7/10
A solid food fish, though not as prized as cod.

Fight: 10/10
Pollack punch well above their weight and will fight all the way to the net.

Total Score: 39/50

2. Coastal Sea Trout (Salmo trutta trutta)

Seasonality: 9/10
Almost year-round opportunities, with peak seasons in spring and autumn.

Abundance: 5/10
Present along Scandinavia’s coastlines, though populations are struggling in some areas.

Intrigue: 10/10
A cult species for fly anglers, demanding skill and dedication to catch.

Food: 5/10
A fantastic food fish, but with ethical concerns due to sensitive populations.

Fight: 8/10
Strong, dynamic fighters that test both skill and gear.

Total Score: 37/50

3. Pike (Esox lucius) 

Seasonality: 9/10
Available year-round, except during ice-covered months.

Abundance: 9/10
Found in lakes, rivers, and even brackish coastal waters across Scandinavia.

Intrigue: 8/10
Huge, aggressive, and capable of smashing topwater flies in spectacular fashion.

Food: 4/10
Edible, but bony and less sought-after compared to other species.

Fight: 9/10
Explosive strikes and hard-fighting, but they tire quickly.

Total Score: 39/50

4. Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

Seasonality: 4/10
Brown trout have a very limited season in most of Scandinavia, from June to the beginning of September.

Abundance: 7/10
Widely available, though trophy-sized fish are harder to find.

Intrigue: 10/10
A legendary species with a variety of behaviors, from small stream trout to giant lake-dwellers.

Food: 7/10
Excellent eating, though catch-and-release is common for wild fish.

Fight: 7/10
Strong, but varies depending on the size and location.

Total Score: 35/50

5. Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) 

Seasonality: 2/10
Primarily targeted in June, otherwise very difficult to catch.

Abundance: 3/10
Found in remote, high-altitude waters—harder to access but rewarding.

Intrigue: 10/10
Stunning colors, remote locations, and incredible scenery make them a bucket-list fish.

Food: 10/10
The best-tasting freshwater fish in the region without a doubt.

Fight: 9/10
Extremely strong fighters, especially in cold, oxygen-rich waters.

Total Score: 34/50

6. Grayling (Thymallus thymallus) 

Seasonality: 5/10
Best from late spring to autumn, but available in winter in some areas.

Abundance: 8/10
Thrives in many Scandinavian rivers, making it one of the more accessible fly species.

Intrigue: 9/10
Known for its large dorsal fin and tendency to rise eagerly to dry flies.

Food: 7/10
Decent eating, though often released due to its role as a sport fish.

Fight: 7/10
Puts up a good fight, especially on a light fly rod.

Total Score: 36/50

7. Perch (Perca fluviatilis)

Seasonality: 9/10
Can be targeted on the fly so long as there isn't ice on the lakes.  

Abundance: 10/10
One of the most common and widespread fish in Scandinavia.

Intrigue: 3/10
A fun species, but lacks the mystique of other top predators. 

Food: 8/10
One of the better freshwater fish to eat.

Fight: 5/10
Fun on light tackle, but lacks the raw power of larger predators.

Total Score: 35/50

Final Thoughts

Ranking fly fishing species is always subjective, but based on our criteria, Pollack, Pike, Sea Trout, and Grayling come out as the top choices for accessibility, seasonality, and overall experience. However, all of these fish offer incredible fly fishing opportunities, and the best one for you will depend on your preferred fishing style and the environments you want to explore.

Which Scandinavian fly fishing species are you most fascinated by? Let us know in the comments!

This version keeps the structured ranking format while removing unnecessary visual clutter. Let me know if you'd like any further refinements!