Lobster season 2026 opens on Monday 21 September at 07:00. That is when the traps go in, and the recreational season then runs through 30 November. The date follows the rule that the premiere always falls on the first Monday after 20 September, and is confirmed by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.
The lobster premiere, hummerpremiären, is one of Bohuslän's most beloved traditions. Every autumn, coastal people and visitors gather around the season's first lobster. In the fishing villages along the west coast it weighs about as much as the crayfish premiere. Here is what you need for the lobster premiere and a lobster safari in Sweden.
Quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Season opener 2026 | Monday 21 September, 07:00 |
| Date rule | First Monday after September 20 |
| Recreational season | 21 September to 30 November |
| Minimum size | 9 cm (rear edge of eye socket to rear edge of carapace) |
| Max traps per person | 6 |
| Trap marking | On the gear itself, name + phone and "F" |
| Who may fish | Swedish citizens or people permanently resident in Sweden |
| Fishing license | Not required (but traps must be labeled) |
| Bookable safaris | Fiskebäckskil, Smögen, Grebbestad |
When does lobster season start in 2026 in Bohuslän?
Lobster fishing in 2026 starts on Monday 21 September at 07:00. The premiere always falls on the first Monday after September 20, which means the date varies between September 21 and 27 depending on the year.
For recreational fishers, the season runs from premiere day to November 30. Licensed commercial fishers can continue to December 31.
What is a lobster safari and where can you book one?
On a lobster safari, you join an operator at sea and see how lobster pots are hauled. Inclusions vary: a fishing trip with refreshments is a different option from a package with a lobster dinner and overnight stay.
Operators with published lobster experiences
Fiskebäckskil: Slipens Hotell and Brygghuset offer lobster fishing with local fishers. Their package combines the fishing trip, dinner and accommodation and is offered to groups of 6–36 people.
Smögen: Smögens Hafvsbad offers a package with a lobster safari, lobster dinner, accommodation and spa access. The boat trip is listed as approximately three hours.
Grebbestad: Everts Sjöbod publishes separate lobster fishing trips for 2026, with approximately two hours of fishing and refreshments during the trip.
Where can you eat after a lobster safari near Lysekil?
Brygghuset and Smögens Hafvsbad publish lobster and seafood menus in autumn. Check the current menu and book ahead if you want lobster. Taste is an option for a restaurant meal in Lysekil; ask directly what is served on your date:
Brygghuset Krog, Fiskebäckskil: A classic seafood restaurant overlooking the harbour, known for seasonal ingredients from local fishers. Check the current evening menu at brygghusetkrog.se. Their September–October opening hours list regular service Friday–Sunday; confirm your date before planning a weekday dinner.
Taste (Havsbadet), Lysekil: The restaurant describes lunch and dinner by the sea. Do not plan a premiere-week dinner here without first confirming evening opening directly with the restaurant.
Smögens Hafvsbad: If you want to treat yourself, the hotel offers lobster and seafood menus (check the current menu for premiere weekend).
Can you fish lobster yourself in Bohuslän?
Yes, if you are a Swedish citizen or permanently resident in Sweden. Recreational lobster fishing is then permitted during the season without a fishing license, but there are clear rules to follow:
- Who may fish: only Swedish citizens and people permanently resident in Sweden. Lobster may be fished only with a lobster trap
- Maximum 6 traps per person: labelled with your name and phone number
- Minimum size 9 cm: from the rear edge of the eye socket to the rear edge of the carapace
- Egg-bearing females: must always be released
- Escape openings required, at least two circular openings (minimum 60 mm diameter) in the lower edge of each compartment's outer wall
- An escape hatch is also required, at least one per compartment in the lower edge of the outer wall, large enough for a cylinder of at least 15 cm diameter to pass through. It must be held shut with a single untreated cotton thread without a core, no more than 3 mm thick, which rots away if the trap is lost
- Recreational fishers must also mark their traps with the letter "F" in addition to name and phone number
- New for 2026: the marking must be on the gear itself. Since 10 January 2026, EU rules require all passive gear to be marked directly on the gear, not only on the buoy
- If you keep lobster in a keep-box, that must be marked as well, with name and address or name and phone number
You'll need a boat and traps. Traps can be bought or rented in Lysekil and Smögen. Ask at local boathouses, many rent out equipment during the season.
How to cook lobster, tips for outdoor cooking
The best way to eat freshly caught lobster? Cook it outdoors. Here's how we do it:
Classic boiled lobster
Cooking time depends on weight and serving method. Sjömatsfrämjandet's cooking guide gives 6–7 minutes for a 400–500 g lobster that cools in its broth, or 8 minutes for immediate serving, plus one minute per additional 100 g. Start timing when the water returns to boiling. Follow the complete method, including prompt cooling of the broth.
Grilled lobster outdoors
If you want to grill at the cabins, ask us when booking which barbecue area is available during your stay. For cooked lobster, follow Arla's grilling guidance and avoid heating it so long that it dries out. Raw lobster needs different preparation: use a complete recipe, such as Grilled lobster from Grilla med Niklas, published by ICA, rather than a general grilling time.
The atmosphere around the lobster premiere
The lobster premiere is more than fishing, it's a celebration. In the fishing villages along the coast, harbours come alive with flags, music, and palpable anticipation. Many families have celebrated the premiere for generations, and the tradition runs deep.
In Lysekil and the surrounding villages, you notice it clearly: restaurants feature special menus, grocery stores fill up with lobster accompaniments, and the only topic on the docks is how the catch went.
It's one of those times of year when Bohuslän truly shows its soul. The summer tourists have gone home, and what remains are the locals and the visitors who've understood that autumn is the coast's finest season.
Read more about seafood in Bohuslän, oysters, langoustines and prawns
More reasons to visit Bohuslän in autumn and winter
Stay close to the lobster experience
Småbåtslaboratoriet is perfectly positioned for the lobster premiere, about a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive to Skalhamn fishing harbour where local fishers set their traps. With an outdoor barbecue area and views from the observation tower, you have everything you need to cook your own lobster outdoors.
Torpet offers a peaceful base with a kitchen for an indoor seafood feast. After dinner, unwind indoors and enjoy the autumn evening.
Compare both cabins and book direct with us ahead of the lobster season.
When is the lobster premiere in 2026?+
The lobster premiere in 2026 starts on Monday, September 21 at 07:00. The date is always the first Monday after September 20.
Do you need a fishing license to catch lobster in Bohuslän?+
No fishing license is required for lobster fishing in the sea. However, only Swedish citizens and people permanently resident in Sweden may fish for lobster, and you must follow the regulations: maximum 6 traps per person, minimum size 9 cm, traps must be labelled with your name and phone number (plus the letter "F" for recreational fishing).
What are the rules for lobster traps in 2026?+
Every trap must have at least two circular escape openings of at least 60 mm in the lower edge of each compartment's outer wall, plus at least one escape hatch large enough for a cylinder of at least 15 cm diameter to pass through. The hatch is held shut with a single untreated cotton thread without a core, no more than 3 mm thick. As a recreational fisher you may use a maximum of six traps at a time and must mark them with your name and phone number plus the letter "F". Since 10 January 2026 the marking must sit directly on the gear rather than only on the buoy. If you keep lobster in a keep-box, that must be marked too. Current rules are published by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management at havochvatten.se.
How much does a lobster safari near Lysekil cost?+
Prices vary by operator, date and package. Always check the current price and what is included directly with the operator before booking.
Can you buy fresh lobster directly from fishers in Lysekil?+
Buy lobster from a fishmonger or a commercial fisher with a fishing licence. Confirm the location, opening hours, availability and price with the seller before travelling. According to the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, recreational sea fishers may not sell their catch.
How long does lobster season last in Bohuslän?+
For recreational fishers, lobster season runs from the premiere (first Monday after September 20) through November 30. Licensed commercial fishers can continue through December 31. Lobster activity can vary with water temperature and weather, according to SLU's lobster researchers.