How to catch a fish

“There is something magical about catching your own food!” says Karina Gjerde, and casts her line for the third time.

Lake Åmotdammen in Akershus sparkles peacefully in the sun. Here, just a half-hour drive from Oslo, Karina and her friend Silje Klæbo have equipped themselves with fishing gear, a cooking stove, and a hammock for the day. They both work for the Norwegian Association of Hunters and Anglers and love to spend time outdoors.

“People often ask me where and when to fish. The answer to that is when you can and where you can. It’s all about getting outside”, Karina says eagerly.

Still, she does have a few tricks up her sleeve.

Fishing for beginners

“Fishing is easier than many people think. You really don’t have to be a professional.”

Karina shows off all the equipment you must have: a fishing rod – it doesn’t have to be expensive – a couple of lures, and a sharp knife.

An ordinary lure works well, but you might also want to try a spinner, or bait your hook with earthworms, Karina explains. She demonstrates a throw: With her index finger, she squeezes the line towards the rod while she opens the bail on the spinning reel. In one smooth motion, she then swings the rod backwards, and loosens her finger just as she throws the lure forwards and into the water.

“Svrrrrr!” The line flies through the air. The silver spinner plops into the water and leaves rings in the forest lake.

A blissful smile spreads across Karina’s face. Now, she just has to wait for the fish to bite. Meanwhile, she chats with Silje, who is trying her hand at a worm baited hook and a float. Fish don’t get frightened by talk, so you can both make weekend plans and tell fish tales, the ladies explain.

“It’s your shadow on the surface and the sound of footsteps that scare the fish.”

Fried fish

The pole twitches lightly, and the two friends shout excitedly.

“It’s just as fun every time”, Karina laughs.

This perch obviously wanted earthworms today. Karina takes out her knife.

“Perch taste better than people think. Many prefer red fish, but white freshwater fish is also really good! Fry it with butter, spices, and lemon, and have a feast”, she says while she plates up some aioli and focaccia.

And she is absolutely right. Nothing has ever really tasted as good as this forest restaurant meal.

Karina’s smart fishing tips

• Dress for the weather.
• Pack a rod, a lure, a sharp knife, and something to carry the catch in.
• Remember to buy a fishing license.
• Attach the hook to the rod when it isn’t in the water.
• Feel free to bring a camp stove, but set it up in a safe place. Respect the open fire ban from 15 April to 15 September.
• It is easy to cook a delicious meal. Karina often brings focaccia and aioli, as well as butter, lemon, and spices to fry the fish in.
• Always clean up after yourself. Leave nature as you found it.
• Variation is important. Alter how fast you reel in, the direction that you throw in, and where you fish. Sooner or later you will find the right place, and then it’s just a matter of time!
• The best time to go fishing is when you actually have the time.

Go fishing all over the country

“Many countries have incredible fishing, but the advantage with Norway is that you can fish almost everywhere”, says Knut Johan Ruud-Sandal, who also works for the Norwegian Association of Hunters and Anglers.

Together with his wife Solvor and their four-year-old daughter Anne Marie, he goes fishing every weekend and several nights a week from May to September.

In Norway, the right of access allows you to explore outlying areas all year round, as long as you act with thought and consideration. The right does not include hunting and fishing, but anyone can fish in freshwater bodies where fishing permits are issued.

You’ll find more species in the south than in the north, and in mountain lakes, it is mostly trout and Arctic char that thrives. To find out where to go, do an internet search, talk to locals, or hire a guide. Guided trips, either alone or in groups, are getting more and more popular.

“There are boundless fishing lakes, and you are guaranteed to find lakes you can have all to yourself. You can easily find your own little paradise”, Knut Johan claims.

Fishing licenses by phone

According to Knut Johan, it is easy to be a fishing tourist in Norway nowadays. “In the Oslomarka forest alone, you have access to 550 fishing lakes on one fishing license”, he says.

You can quickly use inatur.no to find out if you are allowed to fish in any given lake you happen to be walking past and to buy fishing licenses. It won’t take you long to realise that it is possible to fish nearly everywhere. It is also good to know that anyone under 16 years of age can fish for free in freshwater.

“And the sea is free for everyone”, Knut Johan adds.

Fishing lakes near the big cities

You don’t have to travel far to test your fishing luck in Norway. There are a number of lakes near urban centres where you can catch both large and small edible fish.

Here, Knut Johan Ruud-Sandal from the Norwegian Association of Hunters and Anglers shares his tips on spots fit for your fishing pole in the vicinity of Norway’s largest cities.

Oslo

In the Norwegian capital, the distance from the city centre to Lake Sognsvann is short. From there, you can walk or bike to more than 100 other lakes. The closest ones are Svartkulp, Lille Åklungen, and Store Åklungen.

The Oslomarka forest's fishing administration (OFA) cultivates more than 500 lakes and ponds around Oslo.

Stavanger

In Fjord Norway, the city of Stavanger offers more than just herring and oil. Like all cities with any self-respect, Stavanger also has good freshwater fishing. Store Stokkavatn, Mosvatnet, and Hålandsvatnet are fine fishing lakes on the urban fringe.

Trondheim

In the Bymarka and Leinstrandmarka forests in Trondheim, you’ll find 27 lakes and ponds with good fish stocks. Trout is most common, but you can also get pike, roach, Arctic char and crucian carp. Lauglovatnet, Kvistingen, and Holstdammen are among the lakes with good fishing.

Tromsø

In Northern Norway, Tromsø has more fishing options than most other cities in Norway. Kvaløya alone has a number of fishing lakes both in the mountains and the forests, all full of trout and char. Try out Kvantovannet, Øvredalsvannet and Kalvedalsvannet.

The Tomasjord-Oldervik Utmarksla also offers good fishing a short distance from Tromsø city centre, in lakes such as Movikvannet, Gråurvannet and Storskarvannene.

Bergen

World-famous for the fishmongers at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen, Bergen also has exciting freshwater fishing to offer anglers. There is even trout in Lille Lungegårdsvann right in the heart of the city centre.

Kalandsvannet offers the best fishing close to the city – it is so easily accessible that your takeaway coffee will still be hot when you get there.

Other good fishing spots are Storavannet in the Sælenvassdraget waterway and Myrdalsvannet on the road toward Totland.

Rent a charming cabin with Norgesbooking and try your luck fishing in some of the world’s best salmon rivers. Remember to update yourself on the right to roam before you leave.