Kaitumälven

Kaitumälven is a major northern Swedish river in the Kalix River system. Naturkartan describes it as a well-known fishing river for salmon, trout and grayling, and notes that it can be sensitive to rapid changes in water level.

This is not a salmon-only river. In the upper and more remote areas, grayling and trout can be just as important as salmon. Around Tjuonajokk, the fishing is built around remote fly water. Around Killinge, Kaitum River Resort describes a village-access context with grayling, brown trout and salmon, including a 20 km stretch below Killingifallet where rapids alternate with calmer runs.

Access depends heavily on the stretch. Tjuonajokk is reached by helicopter from Kiruna Airport, with the nearest road at Nikkaluokta, 35 km away. Other parts of Kaitumälven are tied to villages, local roads and specific permit areas.

• country: Sweden
• region: Norrbotten / Swedish Lapland
• river system: Kalix River system
• river type: large northern tributary
• main species: salmon, trout, grayling
• other species in some areas: pike, perch
• key areas: Tjuonajokk, Killinge / Killingifallet, Gällivare permit waters
• access profile: from village / local-road access to helicopter-access wilderness water
• key rule checks: permit area, grayling closure, trout closure and slot, female salmon release, boat-fishing ban

Under the 2026 Gällivare Municipality rules, the minimum size for retained salmonid fish is 35 cm for grayling, 35 cm for trout and 50 cm for salmon. The daily bag limit for trout and grayling is 5 fish in total.

Kaitumälven has additional restrictions. In Kalixälven, Linaälven and Kaitumälven, anglers may keep only 1 trout per day, and that trout must be 35–45 cm. Grayling fishing is closed from 15 April to 10 June in those three rivers.

Trout fishing in streams and rivers is closed from 1 September to 31 December. Any trout caught during that period must be released, even if it is within the size limit or injured.

In Kalixälven and Kaitumälven, female salmon may not be killed. All female salmon must be released. Salmon fishing is closed from 1 September to 31 December. Fishing from boats is not allowed in Kaitumälven.

Kaitumälven changes character by section. Naturkartan lists salmon, trout and grayling for the river and notes that fast changes in water level can affect fishing.

At Killinge, the river runs smooth and deep through the village. Below Killingifallet, a 20 km stretch alternates between rapids and calmer runs, with grayling, brown trout and salmon.

At Tjuonajokk, the fishing is remote and fly-focused. Local descriptions mention fast water for large dry flies, calm pools for technical fishing and deeper currents suited to large streamers. Access is by helicopter from Kiruna Airport, with the nearest road 35 km away at Nikkaluokta.

Naturkartan lists several permit contexts along Kaitumälven from Tjuonajokk downstream, including Gällivarekortet, Killinge Samfällighetsförening, Neitisuando Samfällighetsförening and Girjas sameby-related waters.

Kaitum River Resort also states that the correct licence depends on which part of Kaitumälven you plan to fish.

Female salmon must be released

In Kalixälven and Kaitumälven, female salmon may not be killed. All female salmon must be released.

Trout has a local slot and autumn closure

In Kaitumälven, only 1 trout per day may be kept, and it must be 35–45 cm. Trout fishing in streams and rivers is closed from 1 September to 31 December.

Grayling closes earlier here than under the general Gällivare rule

In Kaitumälven, grayling fishing is closed from 15 April to 10 June.

No fishing from boats

Fishing from boats is not allowed in Kaitumälven.

Access can change the whole trip

Tjuonajokk is a helicopter-access fishing context, while Killinge is a village / local-road context. These should not be planned as the same type of trip.

Grayling is central in the upper and remote fly-fishing context. Tjuonajokk descriptions include fast water for large dry flies and calm pools for more technical fishing.

Trout is important, but the rules are strict in Kaitumälven: only one trout per day, 35–45 cm, and no trout fishing in running water from 1 September to 31 December.

Atlantic salmon is part of the river’s profile, but Kaitumälven should not be written as a salmon-only river. Female salmon must be released.

Pike and perch are relevant in some upper and mixed-water contexts, especially around Tjuonajokk and nearby waters.

• Permit area — different parts of Kaitumälven fall under different permit contexts.
• Access model — Tjuonajokk is helicopter-access water; Killinge is a village / local-road context.
• Water-level changes — Naturkartan notes that the river is sensitive to fast changes.
• Female salmon rule — all female salmon must be released.
• Trout slot and closure — 1 trout/day, 35–45 cm; closed in running water from 1 September to 31 December.
• Grayling closure — 15 April to 10 June in Kaitumälven.
• Boat ban — no fishing from boats in Kaitumälven.

• You treat Kaitumälven as one access type, but Tjuonajokk and Killinge are completely different trips.
• You plan boat fishing, although fishing from boats is not allowed in Kaitumälven.
• You keep a female salmon, although all female salmon must be released.
• You keep more than one trout or a trout outside the 35–45 cm slot.
• You plan grayling fishing during the 15 April–10 June closure.
• You plan autumn trout fishing in running water after 1 September.
• You choose a permit without matching it to the exact stretch.