Abstract

Historical fishing in the County of Jämtland: An unexplored field. This article discusses the results of the project “Historical fishing in the County of Jämtland”. The project aimed at inventorying fixed fish traps and other features related to fishing in four selected lakes and water courses. The fieldwork, performed in 2024, was based on information derived from interviews with local fishermen and previous observations. In lake Locknesjön, 21 fish weirs (Sw. “katsa”) were documented of which three have been dendrochronologically dated to 1476 ±5 years, 1544–1839 (most likely 1574/1575) and 1724/1725. From the same lake a net sinker made of birch bark entwined around a stone have been dated to the 14th century. In lake Näkten 14 named fishing grounds were documented, as well as a marker stone for a good fishing spot, a pier for tying up netting equipment and a wooden fish trap (Sw. “vrakhus”). Remains of a similar trap was also found in the river Storbodströmmen. In one of the inlets to lake Bielnienjaevrie five stone built damming constructions were identified. As the results of the project have generated new exciting knowledge on a previously quite neglected part of local history, the ambition is to continue further research in 2026.