Sea fishing in Northern Norway

Think big on your fishing holiday

If you dream of giant fish, choose your fishing holiday location wisely. In Northern Norway, record catches are the rule rather than the exception.

On a fishing holiday in Northern Norway, you will no doubt hear numerous stories about giant fish. "Fiction and fables", you may mutter to yourself – but soon enough, you will realise that it is not just fairytales.

Thanks to the location just by the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea, there are huge amounts of fish along the northern coast. Species like cod, halibut, saithe, redfish, haddock and wolffish often grow unusually large here. In this region you can also go fishing for skrei – extra large cod that gather along the northern coast in the winter to spawn.

Apart from the chance of getting a biggie on the hook, many anglers happily travel north of the Arctic Circle for another reason.

Norway has always been closely associated with fishing, and as a result you will find a number of dream fishing destinations scattered along the coast: The North Cape, the islands of Lofoten and Vesterålen, and the large islands Sørøya and Senja, to mention a few.

Northern Norway is characterized by pristine nature with huge variations in the landscape. The rocky, almost treeless wilderness of the far north is gradually taken over by the lush green fjord and coastal landscape further south.

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What's the weather like?

If you think Northern Norway is way too far away and cold for sensible human beings, think again! Thanks to the warm currents of the Gulf Stream, the climate is a lot milder than you might think – decidedly warmer than other destinations on the same latitude.

Just remember that the local weather can vary considerably from day to day. During the summer months, the temperature is often pleasant around 20 degrees Celsius – but then again, don't be surprised if you get to experience a snow shower too.

When is the best time to go?

The high season runs from May to September. During the summer months, you can fish around the clock thanks to the midnight sun.

Hard-core anglers will also be interested in the winter fishing opportunities, especially the famous skrei (migrating cod) fishing that takes place from January to March.

It will be dark and cold, but you have ample chances of spotting the northern lights dancing across the sky.

Sea fishing offers in Northern Norway

The coast of Northern Norway has a well-deserved reputation as one of the world's richest fishing grounds. Inland, you will also find some of Europe's best salmon rivers. Check out our offers here.

Hemmingodden Lofoten Fishing Lodge

Hemmingodden Fishing Lodge is situated at the seashore in Ballstad, in the middle of the Lofoten islands. Their upgraded sea cabins all have their own shower/WC and a new, fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher.

Set out on a fishing adventure in one of their new, good quality rental boats, or join a fishing trip on a bigger boat.

Price example: NOK 240 per person per night (based on 4 people who share a lodge in low season). Capacity: 6 units with a total of 41 beds, including 4 bunk beds. Available to rent all year.

Lofoten Rent a boat AS

Explore the enchanting Lofoten archipelago on your own, or hire a guide who will show you the way to the best fishing spots in the most scenic areas. Based in the village of Kabelvåg, they have a number of sturdy, safe boats with echo sounder and chartplotter.

Lofoten Rent A Boat can also help you to put together a customised package.

Boat rental price from NOK 350 (around EUR 39) for a small 14 foot boat, NOK 980 (around EUR 109) for a medium 18 foot boat and NOK 1,900 (around EUR 211) for a large 23 foot boat.

Fishing trip in Nusfjord

Get to know one of the oldest, and one of the best preserved, fishing villages in Norway. Situated just minutes from a number of prime fishing spots, Nusfjord has around 50 traditional rorbus (fishermen’s cabins) to rent, many of which date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Cod is the most common species here, but you can also find halibut, coalfish, pollock and haddock.

Price from NOK 8,000 for a fishing trip with an experienced skipper in a commercial fishing vessel (up to 8 people per trip).

Korsfjorden holiday houses

Located in Alta, Korsfjorden holiday houses offer an authentic Norwegian fishing experience on a self-catering basis. The houses are only around 500 metres from the water. Three 19-feet boats equipped with GPS and echo sounder are available to rent.

The high season lasts from April to October.

Price from NOK 10,000 per week for 5 people (15,000 including boat) or NOK 15,000 per week for 10 people (25,000 including boat). Available to rent all year.

Cod fishing with Offersøy Feriesenter

Book a fishing holiday with Offersøy Feriesenter, and find out why the Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway is one of the most important cod fishing areas in the world.

Stay in an authentic rorbu (fishermen's cabin) or in a seaside cottage, rent a room or sleep in your own caravan.

Price from NOK 4,200 (around EUR 470) per person per week in a seaside cottage for 4 people or a rorbu for 5 people, including boat.

Lauklines Kystferie, by the sea in Tromsø

Situated just 30 kilometres from Tromsø airport, Lauklines offers fjord fishing, freshwater fishing, trolling, sea fishing and deep sea fishing. The rorbus (fishermen's cabins) are of a high standard and can accommodate up to six people.

Sea fishing tours are arranged on sturdy charter boats with professional guides. Six Dolmøy 230 boats with a 115 hp Yamaha motor, echo sounder and chartplotter are available to rent.

Price from NOK 4,299 per person for 7 nights (based on a group of 4 people). Boat rental available.

Go large with Big Fish Adventure on Sørøya island

Stop dreaming about a record catch and head to the land of the big fish, far up north on the island of Sørøya in the county of Finnmark. With Big Fish Adventure, you can choose between a spacious summer house, an apartment with a sea view, a pleasant hotel room or a house with a private floating dock. They also provide the following:

19/22 foot Kværnø aluminium boats with 4-stroke motors of 50/115 hp, echo sounder and GPS.
Large boat with a skipper and guide on request.
Fish-cleaning facilities and freezer, fishing gear, life jacket.
Restaurant, bar, tackle shop.
Help and advice on equipment, fishing grounds etc from their competent guides and gracious hosts.

Season: Open all year, but the main fishing season is from 1 March to 30 September.

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Travel to Northern Norway

Most of Northern Norway is located above the Arctic Circle and consists of the counties Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. The quickest and easiest way to get there is by plane.

By plane

The quickest and easiest way to get there is by plane. SAS and Norwegian fly from Oslo to Bodø, Tromsø, Bardufoss, Evenes, Alta and Kirkenes. There are also good domestic flight connections offered by Widerøe.
By train

NSB, the Norwegian State Railways, operates most passenger train services in Norway, and has a railway network stretching from Kristiansand in the south to Bodø above the Arctic Circle.
By boat

Hurtigruten's cruise ships go daily from Bergen in Fjord Norway to Kirkenes by the Russian border. They call at 25 ports in Northern Norway.

Safety tips to leave you high and dry

Keep these rules of thumb in mind whenever you are on or by the water:

Think safety at all times. Planning reduces risk and gives you more worry-free fun.
Bring the necessary equipment. It should be in good condition and easily accessible.
Respect the sea and the weather. Only cast off when it is safe.
Follow the rules of the sea, and make sure you know what they are.
Wear life jackets or other flotation devices.
Make sure you are rested and sober. Do not drive a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Be considerate, and remember that safety, the environment, and the well-being of everybody is a common responsibility.

How to stay safe

Think big on your fishing holiday

What's the weather like?

When is the best time to go?

Sea fishing offers in Northern Norway

Hemmingodden Lofoten Fishing Lodge

Lofoten Rent a boat AS

Fishing trip in Nusfjord

Korsfjorden holiday houses

Cod fishing with Offersøy Feriesenter

Lauklines Kystferie, by the sea in Tromsø

Go large with Big Fish Adventure on Sørøya island

Travel to Northern Norway

By plane

By train

By boat

Safety tips to leave you high and dry

Read more

Fjord and sea fishing

Fishing