AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Stortjärnen is a small, purpose-managed fishing lake tucked into the forests near the village of Östavall in northern Medelpad, Sweden. Designated as a put-and-take water by the local fishing-management association Övre Hoans FVOF, it stocks rainbow trout, brown trout, and Arctic char for anglers seeking a quiet day by the water.↗
What sets this lake apart from a typical remote Swedish tjärn is its thoughtful accessibility design: adapted fishing ramps, wind shelters, grill areas, and toilets ring nearly the entire shoreline, making it welcoming for families, wheelchair users, and visitors who want a comfortable outing without sacrificing the woodland atmosphere.↗
A Forest Lake Built for Angling
Stortjärnen sits in the gently undulating landscape of Ånge municipality, where deep coniferous forest meets the waterways that feed the mighty Ljungan River. The name itself—stor meaning "big" and tjärn meaning "small lake"—hints at a pond that feels grander than its modest size. Within the Övre Hoans FVOF management area it is singled out as the primary put-and-take water, receiving regular stockings of rainbow trout, brown trout (öring), and Arctic char (röding).↗
The lake is part of a wider family of fishing waters that includes the larger Horten, Vitvattssjön, Rammsjön, and the Hoan stream—each offering its own character of still-water or current fishing. Stortjärnen, however, holds its own separate day-permit system, underscoring how intensively it is maintained for sport fishing.↗
Fishing and Facilities
Access is straightforward: a day card costs from 100 SEK and is valid until 23:59 of that day. Children and youth up to age 16 fish free when accompanied by an adult holding a valid permit. Boat motors are not permitted on the lake, keeping the water surface calm and the experience peaceful.↗
Around almost the entire perimeter you will find accessibility-adapted fishing ramps, wind shelters for blustery afternoons, designated grill spots, and toilet facilities. This makes Stortjärnen unusual among Swedish forest lakes: it is designed so that everyone—regardless of mobility or age—can enjoy a full day at the waterside.↗
The Setting: Östavall and the Norrland Countryside
The nearest settlement is Östavall, a small village of fewer than 200 residents located where the Ljungan flows out of Holmsjön. The surrounding area of Medelpad is classic Norrland interior: birch and spruce forest, peat-moss mires, crystal-clear running water, and a big sky that stretches in every direction. In summer the sun barely dips below the horizon; in autumn the berries and mushrooms draw foragers into the same woods.↗↗
For visitors staying at local guesthouses such as Norrlandshem, Stortjärnen is an easy outing—reachable by a short drive through a landscape dotted with other lakes, rivers, and hiking trails like the St. Olav's Pilgrim Route (St. Olavsleden) that passes nearby.↗
Practical Tips
Purchase your fishing permit online via iFiske.se before arriving, or through the Övre Hoans FVOF channels. The association's Facebook page provides up-to-date stocking reports and rule changes.↗↗
The lake is best visited from late spring through early autumn when the shelters and ramps are clear of snow. Midges can be active on still evenings in July, so bring repellent. The nearest town with a supermarket and Systembolaget is Ånge, roughly 13 km to the east.↗
If you want to combine a lake day with river fishing, the Hoan stream (also managed by the FVOF) is known for good trout and grayling on fly, spin, or worm—just a short move through the forest.↗
What makes it special
Put-and-take lake stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout, and Arctic char↗
Nearly full loop of accessibility-adapted fishing ramps, shelters, and grill spots↗
Day permit from 100 SEK; free for under-16s with an adult permit holder↗
Motorboats prohibited — calm, quiet forest-fishing atmosphere↗
About this guide
Compiled with AI assistance from the sources below; this is not a first-hand visit. Place details collected October 5, 2026. Hours, access and ratings can change; confirm with the venue before visiting.
