Linaälven

Linaälven is a northern Swedish river in Norrbotten. It starts west of Malmberget and joins Ängesån at Linafallet, about 100 km downstream. Through Ängesån, it belongs to the wider Kalix River system.

For anglers, Linaälven is best treated as a mixed salmonid river, not as a major salmon-only destination. Current fishing sources describe grayling, trout, salmon and pike in the Dokkas stretch. In the upper Lina River, within the Gällivare FVO water, grayling, trout, perch, whitefish and pike are listed, with salmon present but less likely to migrate that far upstream.

The key physical feature is Linafallet, where Linaälven and Ängesån meet. It is described as Norrbotten’s highest waterfall, with a 16 m drop.

• country: Sweden
• region: Norrbotten / Swedish Lapland
• river-system context: Linaälven → Ängesån → Kalixälven
• river type: northern tributary / mixed salmonid river
• main species: grayling, trout, salmon
• other species: pike, perch, whitefish, depending on stretch
• key feature: Linafallet waterfall
• waterfall drop: 16 m
• migration context: salmon ladder / fishway at Linafallet; historic counter context only unless an active feed is available
• known local stretch: Lina älv inom Dokkas
• Dokkas fishing length: about 20 km of continuous fishing along the south bank
• main rule checks: permit area, trout / grayling rules, salmon rules, Linafallet context

Linaälven is split across several licence areas, including Gällivarekortet, Malmberget / Koskullskulle J&F, Dokkas J&F, Sammako-Lillbergets FVO, Yrtivaara Samfällighetsförening and Gällivare Allmänningskog.

At Dokkas, anglers have about 20 km of continuous fishing along the south bank of Linaälven, plus tributaries. Species listed for this stretch include grayling, trout, salmon and possibly pike.

Higher up, in the Gällivare FVO water, Lina River is listed with grayling, trout, perch, whitefish and pike. Salmon is present, but most salmon do not migrate that far upstream.

Linafallet is the main migration point in this profile. It is a 16 m waterfall where Linaälven and Ängesån meet.

Fishing sources report completed fish-conservation work in 2018–2019, including an upgraded salmon ladder at Linafallet and restored spawning beds. iFiske also states that salmon migration in 2020 doubled compared with previous years.

Linafallet is a fishway and migration point. Historic counter data can provide context, but do not treat it as a live migration camera unless an active feed is available.

Lina älv inom Dokkas — about 20 km of continuous fishing along the south bank of Linaälven, plus tributaries. Listed species include grayling, trout, salmon and possibly pike.

Gällivare FVO / upper Lina River — includes Lina River from the bridge at Sarkasvaara down to the confluence with Vassara River below Stenbron. Species listed are grayling, trout, perch, whitefish and pike. Salmon is present, but most salmon do not migrate that far upstream.

Other permit contexts — Linaälven is split across several licence / association areas. The exact stretch should be matched with the correct permit before planning a session.

Linafallet is a migration barrier / fishway context

Linafallet is a 16 m waterfall where Linaälven and Ängesån meet. Fish-conservation work in 2018–2019 included an upgraded salmon ladder and spawning-bed restoration.

Dokkas is the main described angling stretch

At Dokkas, anglers have about 20 km of continuous fishing along the south bank of Linaälven, plus tributaries.

Upper Lina River is not the same salmon context

In the Gällivare FVO water, salmon is present in Lina River, but most salmon do not migrate that far upstream. The upper Lina River should therefore be treated mainly as grayling, trout and mixed fishing unless current reports say otherwise.

Licence coverage changes along the river

Linaälven is split across several licence areas. Do not assume one permit covers the whole river.

Grayling is one of the main practical species in the Dokkas and upper Lina River contexts.

Trout is also central, especially outside a narrow salmon focus. GFVO lists a minimum retained size of 35 cm for trout and grayling in its waters.

Atlantic salmon is present, but Linaälven should not be described as salmon-only. Dokkas lists salmon, and Gällivare FVO notes salmon in Lina River while also stating that most salmon do not migrate that far upstream.

Pike, perch and whitefish matter in some local and upper-river contexts, especially in Gällivare FVO waters.

• Linafallet — 16 m waterfall and salmon-ladder / fishway context.
• Migration data status — use Linafallet only as live migration data if an active feed is available.
• Dokkas stretch — about 20 km of continuous fishing along the south bank.
• Permit area — several licence contexts exist along Linaälven.
• Species mix — grayling and trout are central; salmon relevance changes by stretch.
• Upper Lina River — salmon is present, but most salmon do not migrate that far upstream.

• You treat Linaälven as one permit area.
• You describe it as a major salmon-only river.
• You treat Linafallet as a live migration camera without an active feed.
• You ignore the Linafallet migration barrier / fishway context.
• You choose a stretch without checking which local licence applies.
• You plan the upper Lina River as strong salmon water, although current local descriptions point more toward grayling, trout and mixed fishing.