Lake Mjøsa

Mjøsa has rich fish stocks; there are 20 species in total. The most famous and most coveted by anglers is the large Mjøsa trout, which can grow as big as 15 kilos. In early summer, trolling for big trout is extremely popular. Mjøsa's most impressive feature is its rich stocks of top quality fish.

Mjøsa has rich fish stocks; there are 20 species in total. The most famous and most coveted by anglers is the large Mjøsa trout, which can grow as big as 15 kilos. In early summer, trolling for big trout is popular. Mjøsa also offers good catches of pike, perch, burbot, grayling and trout. The trout spawn in many of Mjøsa's tributaries and grow big in the lake.

Even though giant catches are few and far between, there is a good chance of hooking a trout over ten kilos. Mjøsa's most impressive feature is its rich stocks of top quality fish. So the lake is natural venue for a trolling battle between anglers. The Norwegian trolling championship takes place in June, starting from Gjøvik harbour.

Permissible fishing methods:

Rod-fishing: Fishing with a rod and line is permitted all year round. Trolling is only permitted between 1 May and 31 August and between 1 October and 31 December. In Furnesfjorden, in the area inside Snippsandodden – Steens Kalkbrenneri, trolling is only permitted between 1 May and 31 August. Maximum 4 lures per trolling boat, and maximum 4 sets of hooks per lure.

Ice fishing: Ice fishing with ice rods or hand lines with lure (max. 4 sets of hooks), rods, fly or bait is permitted as long as lake Mjøsa is frozen.

Planer board fishing:  Utter/Oter fishing with planer boards with ordinary double hook wet flies with a maximum 8 size hook is permitted all year round

For trolling 1 or 2 planer boards are allowed, as well as down-riggers.  90% of the trout caught in the lake is caught in the upper 3 meters of water, just under the surface, between dusk and dawn.

The minimum trout size is 50 cm.