Norway is a very popular country for fishing
Norway is one of Europe's best countries for fishing, both for sport fishing and recreational fishing. There is a huge range of places to fish – from fjords and coasts to rivers and mountain lakes.
Fishing in Norway is popular thanks to a very long coastline with cold, clear and clean water that provides a rich population of many fish species.
Here is an overview of good fishing spots and what fish you can catch in Norway.
You can catch these fish in Norwegian waters
Saltwater fish
Norwegian coast and fjords (saltwater) - where you can fish for cod, saithe, halibut, mackerel (in summer) and many other fish. Especially Lofoten is world famous for sea fishing, especially during the winter fishing for skrei (migratory cod).
Salmon fishing
In rivers and streams around Gaula, Orkla, Altaelva, Namsen and Tana you can fish for salmon in Norway. Salmon fishing is regulated and often requires a special fishing license. The Altaelva in Norway is one of the world's best rivers for salmon fishing. If you are going to fish for salmon in the Altaelven, you need to be out in good time and have a large bundle of money. You can read all about salmon fishing in the Altaelva at altaelva.no. You can also fish for salmon in southern Norway in rivers such as Mandalselva, Tovdalselva, Søgne-Sogndalselva and Audna.
Freshwater fish
In mountain lakes and other watercourses you can fish for trout, char, grayling and roach. The mountain areas in southern and northern Norway are excellent for fly fishing for trout and char. Both trout and char can be fished all over Norway. Pike and perch can also be fished for in the southern parts of Norway.
King crab
If you dream of fishing for king crab in Norway, you should head to Alta in Finnmark. You can also join crab fishing trips in Tromsø. It is a powerful feeling to be able to pull up king crab cages from the deep water and the excitement if there are king crabs in the cage.
Sea trout
Sea trout is both a freshwater fish and a saltwater fish. When it moves from freshwater into the salty sea water, it is called sea trout. Sea trout can be fished in many places in Norway, but in Northern Norway you have the best chance of catching this sought-after fish. You can also go sea trout fishing in Southern Norway.
Best places for fishing in Norway – depending on the season
When is the best time to go salmon fishing in Norway and when is the best time to fish for cod? There can be many questions when it comes to the best time of year to fish. Below we have divided the year into our four seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Spring (March - May)
During the spring you can fish for trout in rivers (mid-May), you can also fish for cod, saithe and ling. Skrifiske is good to fish in Northern Norway (February–April). The places for cod fishing can be found in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja. For saithe and early mackerel it is the Trondelag coast. The trout are also starting to move in the Southern mountains (Hardangervidda & Femundsmarka).
Summer (June - Aug)
During the summer you can fly fish for trout, char and grayling in the mountains. If you want to concentrate on salmon fishing, summer is the perfect time. There is also mackerel fishing all along the coast and in Northern Norway you can fish for halibut.
The places for salmon fishing are Gaula, Orkla and Altaelva. Go to Jotunheimen, FEmundsmarka and Hardangervidda if you want to fish for trout and char. For those of you who want to fish for mackerel, cod and halibut, go to Lofoten or the Helgeland coast.
Autumn (Sept - Nov)
Autumn is the time for sea fishing (cod, saithe and flatfish) and trout that you find in lakes in the north. Along the coast it is sea trout that is fished and if you like shellfish and crab fishing you have come to the right season for that too!
The places for sea fishing halibut and large saithe are Norland, Trøndelag. Head to Troms and Finnmark for other sea fish. If you want to specifically fish for sea trout, the coast in Sørlandet and Vestlandet applies.
Winter (Dec - Feb)
During the coldest time you can fish for skrei (Skrei is a special type of Atlantic cod that lives out in the Barents Sea for most of its life, but which migrates to the Norwegian coast every winter to spawn.) Or how about ice fishing for char and trout in the mountains and lakes. Along the coast you can fish for cod and flatfish. The places you go to during the winter for fishing are Lofoten & Vesterålen (skrei fishing). If it is available for ice fishing, Jotunheimen and Rondane are for ice fishing and char. For plaice and cod you go to the Oslofjord and Sörlandet.
Good to know when fishing in Norway
- Tourists are allowed to bring in catches up to a certain kilo depending on whether you fished through a registered tourist fishery or on your own. Always ask where you are fishing.
- Some species are protected or have a minimum size to be caught. Always ask where you are fishing.
- Always check if a fishing license is required and other rules. (A fishing license is usually required when fishing in lakes and rivers. No fishing license is required for sea fishing in Norway.)
- To prevent the spread of salmon diseases, you may need to show proof that your equipment has been disinfected, especially if you have fished in other countries before.
- The right fishing equipment depending on the species (e.g. stronger rod for sea fishing, lighter for trout), clothing for rapidly changing weather such as rain gear and layers.
- If you are unsure about the rules and other things surrounding fishing in Norway, our tip is to go on an organized fishing trip where the company has all the knowledge and will take you to the best fishing spots in Norway.