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.
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.
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.
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 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)