Fly fishing is often referred to as an art, the pinnacle of fishing if you’d like. Here in wonderful Southern Norway, we have a kaleidoscope of opportunities for those who want to practice the art of fly fishing. With a mixture of different wild fish to catch, in a variety of untouched waters and both qualified fly fishing guides and instructors, Southern Norway has so much to offer the fly fisher.
Fly fishing for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Norway’s most Southerly region can boast an array of rivers from the large hydroelectric power water controlled like the Mandalselva and Otra rivers which are always fishable, to the medium sized spate rivers such as the Lynga river (plus many in between), all the way down to very intimate smaller spate rivers such as the Audna or Søgneelva. A river overview can be viewed via the ‘Norske lakseelver’ map.
The average salmon size of Southern Norway varies from river to river and when you fish during the season, but around 4kg (9lbs). Salmon of up to 20kg (44lbs) have been caught in later years and each year some rivers produce fish up to 14-16kg (31-35lbs).
The salmon fishing season: 1st of June until the 31st of August
The season in most rivers spans three months from the 1st of June until the 31st of August each year (local seasons may vary from year to year). You will need two licenses, the yearly national fishing license for migratory fish and a license in the river section you want to fish.
Mandalselva River is considered to be amongst the ten best salmon rivers in Norway.
Go to: Salmonfishing in the Mandal riverSalmonfishing in the Mandal river
LindesnesMandalselva River is considered to be amongst the ten best salmon rivers in Norway.
Tovdalselva offers varied fishing from the sea and the 35 km up empty Herefoss fjord where the salmon's…
Go to: Salmon fishing in Tovdalselva riverSalmon fishing in Tovdalselva river
BirkenesTovdalselva offers varied fishing from the sea and the 35 km up empty Herefoss fjord where the salmon's…
Try your hand at salmon fishing in historic surroundings at Boen Gård in Kristiansand.
Go to: Salmon fishing at Boen GårdSalmon fishing at Boen Gård
KristiansandTry your hand at salmon fishing in historic surroundings at Boen Gård in Kristiansand.
Fly fishing for migrating Sea Trout (Salmo trutta)
It’s not only the salmon that migrate into our rivers to spawn each year, but they’re also accompanied by the sea trout which is the migratory form of the brown trout. They average a size of around 1kg (2.2lbs) but have been caught up to 10kg (22lbs) and specimens of 6-7kgs (13-15lbs) are caught each season. The same licenses and rules as for the Atlantic salmon apply though in some rivers the season for fishing sea trout are longer than for the salmon.
Fly Fishing for Coastal Sea Trout (Salmo trutta)
Outside of the period where some of the sea trout population migrate into our rivers to spawn each year, the sea trout can be fly fished for all year round along Southern Norway’s coast. The hunt for this silver prize often takes us to some naturally picturesque places and gives us nature experiences to remember. Sea trout fishing along the coast is both free of charge and highly accessible for all.
For more information about this form of fly fishing, follow this link.
Fly fishing for non-migratory trout
Lake upon lake, they are everywhere, and the vast majority are inhabited by the brown trout (Salmo trutta), some the artic char (Salvelinus alpinus), others the American brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and not forgetting the common whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) or better still a combination! We mustn’t forget the streams and rivers which meander through the countryside from lake to lake, or out to the coast. The average size of these fish are generally smaller at around 250g (1/2lb) but there are always larger individuals inhabiting the waters with fish being caught up to 6-8kg (13-18lbs) in later years. Some lakes are more cultivated than others and these will generally have a larger average size of fish. Basically we have so many opportunities for fly fishing here, they’re too many to list!
Something very exciting are two salmonoid species which are internationally unique to Southern Norway. One being a strikingly beautiful brown trout with its very similar markings to the marble trout (Salmo marmorata) only found in the Balkans, and the Bleka (Salmo salar) which is a landlocked Atlantic salmon from the last Ice Age.
The best chances of catching our ‘Marble trout’ are either in the more Northerly parts of the river Otra or in many of the lakes in the Otra water catchment area. They are quickly recognized by their ‘squiggly’ lines as opposed to spots.
The Bleka lives its life the more Northerly reaches of the Otra some kilometres south of Evje all the way North through Byglandsfjord and North. Their average size is generally small, but they fight often stronger than the trout and are more than happy to take a fly.
Fly fishing for European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Since this sought after gamefish started appearing along our coast around the 1990s, most probably following the warm gulf stream up from mainland Europe, its numbers have risen year by year. The bass is an aggressive fish that strikes hard and fights equally as hard. Even though we can catch them all year round they appear in larger numbers from June onwards until September or October all depending on sea temperatures. Fly fishing from shore is equally as effective as from a boat and we catch them from their smaller sizes of around 500g (1lb) up to 4-5kg (9lbs-11lbs) each year.
Fly fishing for European Pike (Esox Lucius)
The eastern part of Southern Norway houses some lakes where in the past pike were artificially introduced and have after thrived. They average a size of around 4kg (9lbs) but have been caught up to a crocodile size of 18kg (39lbs)!
The lakes can be fly fished from the shore. Though a boat is without a doubt the best way of reaching all of the good spots and fishing them without getting your fly continuously stuck in a tree! Each lake has a boat ramp for launching a boat if you have one.
Where to buy equipment and get local tips
In Southern Norway we are lucky enough to have a few specialist fishing shops with very knowledgeable staff and a relevant stock of essential sea trout fishing equipment. Beginning from West then to East, Lyngdal Jakt of Fiskesenter in Lyngdal, Grønberg Sport in Kristiansand, and lastly Arendal Jakt og Friluft in Arendal.
Other ways of finding promising spots are with the mobile phone app Fiskher but also the book ‘Sjøørret’, though written in Norwegian also has many fishing maps with magical spots to try.
If you need further guidance with either where to fish, which techniques to use or developing your fishing skills, maybe a professional fishing guide is something for you?
- AnglerPilot - Professional guiding for sea trout along the Southern Norway coast (based in Kristiansand)
- Sørlandet Fiskeguiding - Guiding for sea trout in southernmost Norway (based in Grimstad/Lillesand)
Pack your bags with food, here’s an interactive map showing good spots where you can spend your day on the hunt for sea trout.
If you need further guidance with either where to fish, which techniques to use or developing your fishing skills, maybe a professional fishing guide is something for you?
Fishing Guide - AnglerPilot
Combine Southern Norway’s natural beauty and great fishing, with a guiding service based on a ’natural experience of quality'. AnglerPilot individually cater their service to all ages, abilities, fishing experience and fishing goals.
Ryan Marchese, the owner of AnglerPilot is a EFFA and FFI certified professional fishing guide and passionate fisherman. AnglerPilot is based in Kristiansand but deliver guided trips all over southernmost Norway.
Please get in contact regarding your needs:
Tlf. no: +47 909 15 846
Email: ryan@anglerpilot.no
Website: www.anglerpilot.no
Read more about fishing and outdoor life in southernmost Norway
Blindleia - One of Norway's most beautiful coastal stretches
Blindleia is the 20 kilometre long coastal path between Lillesand and Ulvøysund near Kristiansand in southernmost Norway.
Fishing in Lillesand
The archipelago in and around Lillesand is one of the most beautiful in Southern Norway. A myriad of small islands, channels, bays and 100s of perfect places that attract our sea trout.
Fishing experiences in Farsund
Farsund and Lista are a great destination for fishing in the skerries and along the beaches. Farsund also has two holiday resorts for fishing: Farsund Resort and Bjørnevåg Ferie. Here you can rent a boat and fishing equipment and get professional help to find the best fishing spots.
Coastal sea trout fishing in Lyngdal and Farsund
In the geographical area of Lister we combine the municipalities of Lyngdal and Farsund. The rolling stoned coastline of Lista has through the years produced some of the largest sea trout caught here in Southern Norway.
Fishing for sea trout in Lindesnes
Lindesnes has a lot of perfect places like fjords and beaches for fishing sea trout.
Coastal sea trout fishing in Kristiansand
Both the main town and the surrounding coastline in Kristiansand offer superb coastal sea trout fishing.
Coastal sea trout fishing in Southern Norway
The migratory brown trout or more widely known as the European sea trout is a great prize amongst many fishers. What is quite unique with this fish, is that along the Southern Norwegian coast, the sea trout can be fished not only free for all ages but also all year round.
Fishing in Kristiansand
Did you know there is so truly excellent fishing to experience just on the outskirts of Kristiansand city? Just a 10-15min walk away, you could be fishing one of the wild trout lakes, trout along the beach, wild salmon in the river or even bait fishing for bottom dwelling cod off the deep waters of an islands.
8 good reasons to visit Hove in Arendal
Adventurers and nature lovers – here are 8 tips for what you can see and do on Tromøy and Hove in Raet national park, just outside of Arendal.
Sea trout fishing in Grimstad
Grimstad has a lot to offer for anglers, all along the south coast the conditions are perfect, some will say it is an eldorado for anglers hunting for sea trout.
With your back towards the sea
Grimstad offers more then rocky shores, boats and beach life. The inlands offer several hiking trips with beautiful views, and fresh water lakes with the possibility of fishing, kayaking and swimming.
Southern Norway in 360° panorama
View some of the coastal areas in Southern Norway with 360° panorama pictures. Gamle Hellesund, Brekkestø, Skippergada and Ulvøysund outport.
Raet National Park
Raet is Southern Norway’s national park. Raet National Park extends from Grimstad, through Arendal and on to Lyngør in Tvedestrand. The park was created in 2016 to protect this special natural area.
Fishing spots in Vegårshei
Vegårshei has very many lakes where you can go fishing both trout and perch.
Fishing in Lyngdal
Lyngdal offers a range of fishing alternatives both in fresh water and sea water. Salmon fishing, deep sea fishing and fishing in lakes with beautiful surroundings are available in Lyngdal and Hægebostad.
Fishing in Lindesnes
The Lindesnes region is packed with opportunities to catch some fish. What type of fishing are you looking for?
Explore the archipelago
Raet National Park. Take the ferry to popular Merdø island, or the sightseeing boat trip around the island of Hisøy.
Explore the skerries in Grimstad
In Grimstad, both locals and visitors enjoy access to an array of islands and islets with small, idyllic beaches and smooth, rocky shores ideal for sunbathing in summer.
Back to top