Fish in the Norwegian fjords

The Arctic codfish is known in Norway as “skrei”, a term derived from Old Norse for “the wanderer” that refers to its travelling habits. After years roaming the Barents Sea, codfish return to the Norwegian coast to spawn or find a mate – hence its other nickname, “The Valentine’s Fish”.

The water conditions in Vestfjorden are particularly suitable for spawning, attracting skrei by the million every winter between January and March. And with them come the fishermen. Lofotfiske (“Fishing in Lofoten”) is an institution in Norway, in which thousands of fishermen catch what in fact is one of the country’s oldest exports.

Norway also has a long tradition of excellent salmon fishing. All in all, roughly 600,000 Atlantic salmon enter Norwegian fjords every year. Though the fishing season is short, lasting from June to September, anglers bring in large numbers of fish during this time, and many of them are quite hefty catches. Each year, thousands of anglers make catches of more than 20 pounds and hundreds more surpass the 30-pound mark.

The Mecca of salmon-fishing spots is Alta River, where salmon weighing more than 50 pounds continue to make angler headlines.

A member of the cod family, coalfish can reach a length of 51 inches and weigh up to 55 pounds. The world record for a coalfish caught with a fishing pole was set in Saltstraumen, near Bodø, in which the fish weighed in at 48 pounds. 

To catch coalfish, it’s crucial to know that your lure must be moving at all times. The pros will tell you that you should have no trouble catching small coalfish with a sabiki rig, and even the best anglers use small coalfish as bait for bigger fish like cod and halibut. Sometimes a line counter reel can come in handy too.