Laholms Laxfiske

 

Project Smedjeån

Smedjeån, which flows into the Lagan, is classified as a national interest for its outdoor life, because it houses salmon and sea trout.
Smedjeån, which flows into the Lagan, is classified as a national interest for its outdoor life, because it houses salmon and sea trout.

The board of Laholms Laxfiske began discussing; What can be done to increase the amount of sea trout in Lagan? Any natural production of sea trout does not exist.
One of the more realistic suggestions, were to restore Smedjeån and its tributaries.
Laholms Laxfiske decided that they should bear the costs of doing an inventory of the whole water area.

During April and May 2008, inventory was done by wandering in and along the river's route. The inventory of Smedjeån was divided into seven routes, being about 23,4 km long with a bottom area of about 105 00 m2, combined.

The evaluation was that it should be possible to create, from current status of the streams to a natural drainage basin, without any kind of impact of human activity.
An estimation says that the water area produces about

14 000 smolt/year. But the water area is estimated to be able to produce about 75 000 smolt/year!

Restaureringsarbeten i Edenbergaån i Vallberga där det skapas lek- och uppväxtsplatser. Restaureringsarbeten i Edenbergaån i Vallberga där det skapas lek- och uppväxtsplatser.

The desire for Smedjeån is:
- No ponds
- No power plants
- No culvert rings etc,

preventing fish to wander freely.

 

What ought to be done in the future, is to create free migration routes and more spawning- and nursery habitats. During the process of work, it's been revealed that no power plant has got any known permit for its operation in Smedjeån. This is something Länsstyrelsen (county of administrative boards), is aware of. Länsstyrelsen is the authority that shall oversee and take actions against operations preventing the free migration routes etc.

Text and photography: Björn Clason

Test fishing results

Edenbergaån, Vallberga.
Investigated area, ca. 52,5 m2.

2016
 

Sea trout 31
Salmon 44
Eel 2
Stone loach 25
Brook lamprey 2
Total 104


2015-08-10
 

Sea trout 31
Salmon 22
Eel 1
Minnow 24
Total 78


2014-09-04
 

Sea trout 35
Salmon 34
Eel 3
Minnow 74
Stone loach 20
Brook lamprey 1
Total 167


2013-08-29
 

Sea trout 24
Salmon 34
Eel 4
Minnow 1
Stone loach 25
Brook lamprey 2
Total 90


2012-08-24
 

Sea trout 7
Salmon 13
Minnow 12
Stone loach 26
Total 58