Print preview
Catch and release of an Atlantic salmon in Norway - Photo: Harald Øyen
Norwegian flag
  |  
Catch and release of an Atlantic salmon in Norway

Salmon fishing in Norway

Travel like the old British lords did, and catch salmon in Norwegian rivers.

Interest:  Fishing

Close
Share with others

Big salmon

The first tourists to Norway from Britain were upper class people out to catch salmon. Today about 145,000 salmon are caught in Norwegian rivers every year, and it is not just the wealthy British who compete at catching the big ones. If you are lucky, you will go back home with salmons weighing over 20 kilos.

Mighty rivers

There are many good rivers, spread out across the country.

Try the awesome might of the Namsen, the dynamic, but regulated Suldal, the breathtaking Beiar, the powerful and spate-affected Gaula, the winding and leisurely Stjørdal, or any of the about 450 other productive salmon rivers in Norway.

The powerful rivers produce the largest Atlantic salmon in the world.

The best time

Generally, the best time for salmon fishing is from mid-July to mid-August, but this may vary locally. Local tourist information offices and local sports shops will be able to fill you in on the salmon fishing possibilities in your area.

Fishing requirements

In addititon to a local fishing permit, which you normally can pay at the local tourist information office, the local post office, the local sports shop, or nearest camp site/hotel/cabin, you need to pay the government fee at the local post office or online at Inatur.

The health of Norwegian salmon rivers and fishing

The Norwegian rivers are largely of excellent health.

Local river associations have introduced rigid procedures to prevent the parasite entering any river, and all anglers are required to disinfect waders and fishing equipment before fishing.

Number of salmon caught on rod in Norwegian rivers in total
(released fish not included)

Year Total number of salmon Number of salmon under 3 kilos Number of salmon 3-7 kilos Number of salmon over 7 kilos Total number of sea trout
2000 189 433 135 772 40 764 12 897 115 721
2001 178 137 118 074 43 875 16 118 102 292
2002 118 812 70 584 33 696 14 532 104 674
2003 145 273 97 907 33 505 13 861 110 445
2004 96 578 60 872 26 003 9 703 94 659
2005 148 258 110 151 26 841 11 708 98 924
2006 141 838 94 301 38 459 9 078 81 435
2007 95 997 52 770 31 361 11 866 75 797
2008 111 935 60 804 33 568 17 563 49 182
Last updated: 2009-07-31
Fishing for big salmon on the Orkla river, Norway - Photo: Harald Øyen
Fishing for big salmon on the Orkla river, Norway
Catch the fish of a lifetime in Norway - Photo: Innovation Norway
Catch the fish of a lifetime in Norway
Skip listings

Listings

Find providers and contact information
Skipped to

Related

Fishing in Norway

Catch cod, mackerel and coalfish almost everywhere along the coast. Trout and pike fishing is good in lakes, and there are excellent salmon rivers.
Interest: Fishing
Catfish - Photo: ©copyright: norwegian seafood export council - Eiliv Lerenprevious
Anglerfish (monkfish) - Photo: ©copyright: norwegian seafood export council - Eiliv Leren
Cod - Photo: ©copyright: norwegian seafood export council - Eiliv Lerennext

Pictures of Norwegian saltwater fish

Watch this slideshow of fish species along the coast and at deep-sea in Norway.
Interest: Fishing

Fishing offers and suggestions

These fishing offers and suggestions include deep-sea fishing, guided fishing tours and fishing for trout in mountain lakes.
Interest: Fishing

Coast and deep-sea fishing in Norway

Coast and deep sea fishing is good all along the Norwegian coast. Lofoten is one of the best places to go.
Interest: Fishing, Coast & Coastal culture

Freshwater fishing in Norway

Wake up on a mountain plain or deep in a forest and use your rod to catch breakfast.
Interest: Fishing

Sponsored

SPONSOR

Fishing in Sunnfjord

The Sunnfjord area is known for the Nausta, Gaula, Jølstra and Dale salmon rivers. The Haukedalsvannet and Jølstra lakes are good for trout.
Interest: Fishing
SPONSOR

Fishing in Åndalsnes

Go fishing for cod, pollack and haddock in the Romsdalsfjord, or try night fishing or fishing for conger eel at Gjerdset.
Interest: Fishing
Map of
Norway

Popular salmon rivers
in Norway

Related

Fishing

Subscribe to newsletter
Name:
E-mail:
Newsletter for: