About the initiative
The reintroduction of trout (Salmo trutta) to Rickleån in northern Sweden, aims to establish a sustainable wild population in the river’s headwaters. This measure will also benefit the red-listed freshwater pearl mussel, which relies on juvenile trout during the first stage of its life. In addition, it will help enhance overall ecosystem health. Long-term intensive use of rivers—damming, log floating, sawmills, and channelization—has inflicted large-scale ecological damage throughout the region. Natural habitats of trout have been destroyed, or severely degraded, migratory routes have been blocked, and biodiversity severely reduced. Consequently, extensive restoration has taken place in crucial tributaries such as Risån and Sikån. Riverine structures have been rebuilt, flow patterns re-established, and physical barriers removed. Despite this, trout did not colonise the site naturally—presumably a consequence of source populations reduced to low levels.
Since the habitat conditions became favourable, the project entered its second phase in 2024: active reintroduction. In June of that year, the first trout yearlings, developed from native genetic stock, were released at specially chosen sites. These early releases represent a significant milestone towards re-establishing a self-reproducing population that hopefully will breed naturally and start to migrate. In 2025, over 100,000 further trout are scheduled for release in the upper part of Rickleån. By giving the species, a new stronghold within a restored landscape, the project aims to catalyse a broader ecological revival across the river system.
The project was awarded a €33,000 grant by Rewilding Europe’s European Wildlife Comeback Fund for the project’s high ambition and positive ecological potential.
Type of support: European Wildlife Comeback Fund (EWCF), European Rewilding Network (ERN) membership
Beneficiary organisation: Skellefteå Municipality
