Seasons and regions for sea fishing in Norway

The Norwegian Sea is a great place for fishermen, it's always teeming with life! And the best thing is, the 'menu' changes almost every month, so there's always something new to catch! Hey, if you know the best times to go fishing and where the fish are hanging out near the shore, you can save some time and money. Plus, you'll be more likely to catch a big one! I'm so excited to share with you this lovely little overview of the best fishing spots in Norway, as picked by the charter captains themselves!

Lofoten Islands - Capital of Skrei

Come and join us here between January and April, when our beautiful waters are full of the finest Arctic cod. It was here, a long time ago, that the wonderful story of 'Lofoten fishing' was born. If you're looking to catch a big one, then the best time to go is from February to March, as that's when the chances of landing a 'thirty' (a cod weighing 30kg or more) are at their highest! In summer, the focus shifts to other delicious fish. At the end of May, the tasty saithe and mackerel arrive, and in September, the autumn halibut season begins. When you're planning your fishing trip, it's a good idea to book your accommodation and boat 5–6 months in advance. This way, you can make the most of the best bases, which often offer a package including fishing, a filleting room and a freezer.

Tip: Look for charters with SideScan sonar, which can find schools faster in polar twilight.

Senja - the kingdom of halibut

You'll be amazed to learn that specimens measuring two metres can be found off the coast of Senja! The best time to see them is from late May to July, when the water is nice and warm, the herring arrive as a food source, and the predator 'rises' to depths of 20–40 metres. When summer comes, you can go fishing any time you like because the sun doesn't set for weeks on end. But be careful, because the tides can be strong, and you'll need a captain who knows the best spots to find halibut. Hey, here's a little tip for you: when you're picking out your boat, go for ones with vertical spinning rod holders. This makes it so much easier to work with those heavy 300–500 g jigs.

Bergen and the Westfjords - Comfort + Diversity

The mild oceanic climate makes the region perfect for families. If you're a fan of mackerel, then you'll be in your element from June to August, when the light tackle fishing is really worthwhile. You can expect to get dozens of bites an hour! Our little fishy friends like the haddock and catfish like to play hide and seek in the choppy waters around the fjords. The weather is always nice and easy to predict, so you can plan your trip around having breakfast at the fish market.

Tip: When booking a charter, check for a covered cabin - summer showers come suddenly.

Møre og Romsdal – a “universal” region

The beautiful fjords around Alesund are a great place to go fishing, and you can go there any time of the year and catch something. It's such a wonderful time of year when the cod and saithe arrive in spring, isn't it? And do you know what else? The pollock are so active in July! And of course, we all love halibut, which gather here in autumn. The seabed is a bit of a puzzle, with its steep walls, so we need to use a fast echo sounder and heavy jigs to get the job done.

Advice: take the “captain + guide” pack: you will save gear and nerves on the first edges.

Five booking tips to make your trip pay off

• So, if you're thinking of coming, don't hang about - book early to make sure you get the best deal! I totally understand, the high season in Lofoten is always so popular, it's completely booked up before New Year!
• And the best part is, you can choose any date you like! Don't worry, we're here to help! We'll add a 1–2 day buffer for storms, so don't stress if you need to reschedule your trip. Our captains are more than happy to help, so just let us know!
• I'm sure this boat is just the right size for the job! When you're after trophy cod in the winter months, you'll need a closed boat that's around 8–10 m long. But when summer comes around, a fishing boat will be perfect!
• Just a friendly reminder to check the limits (18 kg of fish + one trophy) and minimum sizes: cod – 44 cm, halibut – 80 cm.
• We know how important it is to have the right insurance for your active holiday, so please do check your policy with your charter company.

Here's a little checklist to help you keep track of all the mini equipment you'll need:

• Three-layer clothing (thermal/fleece/membrane)
• Waterproof boots with anti-slip insert
• Polarized glasses and sunscreen
• Gloves with a finger hole for cord control
• 20L dry bag for camera and documents
• Tide table on your phone + charged power bank

You know, fishing in Norway is such a great activity all year round! We all know that success is built on the intersection of the right month, the right region and a well-prepared team, right? When winter comes, you'll be able to enjoy the famous skrei cod. In summer, you'll be treated to endless schools of mackerel and the midnight sun. And in autumn, you'll be able to catch some really big halibut. So, if you plan ahead and choose experienced captains, your first trophy will be the result of good timing – not just luck!