Coast and deep-sea fishing
Norway is a good place for coast and deep-sea fishing. There are opportunities both from shore and boat, and there are organised tours many places along the coast.
Cod, coalfish, mackerel and lots of other species can be caught almost everywhere along the coast.
Along the coast there are places with particularly strong currents, between 4 and 10 knots, often in narrow sounds. Here, the fishing is usually exceptionally good. One such place is Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest maelstrom.
Freshwater fishing
For freshwater fishing, Norway offers top quality trout fishing in beautiful woodland and mountain areas. Pike fishing is also very good.
Freshwater inland lakes and ponds are abundant with trout, pike, grayling, carp and perch.
Fishing requirements are easy - you just pay the set local fee. For more information about the fee for the place you want to fish, we recommend you contact the local tourist information, the local sports shop or the nearest hotel/camp site/cabin.
If you intend to fish for salmon, sea trout and sea char in rivers and lakes, and you have reached the age of 16, you must pay (in addition to the local fee) a government fee at the local post office or online at Inatur.
Salmon fishing
Every year thousands of anglers visit Norway’s world famous salmon rivers such as the Gaula, Surna, Flåm and Suldal in the hope of catching king-size fish.
The powerful rivers produce the largest Atlantic salmon in the world and about 145,000 of them are caught each year. It is not unusual to be faced with the really big ones. Running and landing up to 20 kilos salmon can provide a stirring and exciting experience of salmon fishing.
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.
Safe fishing
Even if the weather is fine in the morning it does not mean that it will stay that way all day. Check the weather forecast or ask a local before you leave. If the clouds darken and start to gather, it is a good idea to head back. It is smart to tell someone where you are going.
Remember lifejackets if you are going out in a boat.