Here are their traits, and what suits each of them best. All advisory: check rules, size limits and closed seasons locally.
| Species | Usual size | Best time | Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown trout | 20-40 cm in streams and small waters | First light and dusk, from ice-out to September. | Spinning: light rod 5-15 g.Fly: class 4-6.Bait: worm under a float. |
| Large brown trout | Around 5 kg on average for spawning fish in the Hunder stock | June to August, in the river where the season is open and on the troll and otter board in the lake. | Spinning: rod 15-40 g.Fly: class 7-9. |
| Grayling | 300-400 grams | July and August, often in the middle of the day when the insects are up. September fishes well too. | Fly: class 3-5.Spinning: ultralight, 2-8 g. |
| Arctic char | 20-30 cm | Right after ice-out, in May in the lowlands and in June in the mountains, and through the ice in winter. Morning and evening are best. | Spinning: ultralight, 3-12 g.Fly: class 4-6.Bait: worm, deep. |
| Perch | Often 13-14 cm in small waters, up to 2 kg in good conditions | July to August, in the middle of the day. Through the ice they bite well all winter. | Spinning: light rod 3-15 g.Bait: worm under a float. |
| Pike | 5 kg is a good fish in most places | May to June and September to October, in the middle of the day. | Spinning: heavy rod 20-60 g.Fly: class 8-10. |
| Whitefish | Rarely over one kilo | October to November during the spawning run, and through the ice in winter. | Bait: fine tackle, small hooks.Fly: class 3-5, small nymphs. |
| Atlantic salmon | Around 2, 5 and 10 kg after one, two and three years at sea | June to August, depending on the watercourse and the water level. | Fly: double-handed rod class 7-10.Spinning: rod 20-50 g. |
| Sea trout | 1-3 kg along the coast | March to May and September to November, along the coast. Around the clock, often best at the turn of the tide. | Spinning: rod 9-10 feet, 10-30 g.Fly: class 6-8. |
Six common species
Brown trout
Active at first light and dusk. Lures and flies. Fish along edges, inlets and rocks.
What works best
A light spinning rod 5-15 g with a silver spinner or small spoon in clear water. Fly when it rises. Fish first light and dusk.
The full brown trout guideGrayling
Loves nymphs and small dry flies. A discreet presentation in clear water. Common in Lågen.
What works best
An ultralight rod or fly rod class 3-5. Small nymphs and dry flies, a long, thin leader. Needs a discreet presentation.
The full grayling guideArctic char
Often in deeper water in mountain lakes. Small spoons in red or natural colours. Best morning and evening.
What works best
An ultralight rod with small spoons in red or natural colours. Fish deeper, best morning and evening in mountain lakes.
The full arctic char guidePerch
A shoaling fish. Small jigs, worms and spinners. Coloured water can take louder colours.
What works best
A light rod with microjigs, softbait and small spinners. Search along edges and jetties; coloured water can take louder colours.
The full perch guidePike
Big, visible baits. A wire trace is a must. Shallow water early and late in the season.
What works best
A heavy rod 20-60 g with a wire leader, a must against the teeth. Big plugs, jigs and spinnerbaits, shallow water early and late in the season.
The full pike guideWhitefish
Hard to catch on lures, usually taken on net or worm. Rarely a sport target, but present in many waters.
What works best
Hard on lures. Usually small hooks with worm or maggot, or a net where legal. Rarely a sport-fishing target.
The full whitefish guide
Beyond the six
Salmon and sea trout are anadromous: they grow at sea and sit under a quite different set of rules, with the state fishing fee and seasons set per watercourse. Large brown trout are the same trout as above, from stocks that grow up in big lakes and live on fish. Ice fishing is the same species, but a different method.
Common questions
Which fish can I catch in Norwegian inland waters?
- Trout is the most common and lives in nearly the whole country. Perch and pike dominate lowland waters in the east, grayling holds in the big rivers, char in cold mountain lakes, and whitefish is common in many lakes. Which species are actually in the water you are fishing varies lake by lake. The species and what works
What is easiest to catch for a beginner?
- Perch. They shoal, they feed happily in daylight, they are not shy, and they are abundant in most lowland waters. That also makes them the best species to start with if you are fishing with children, because something actually happens. Fishing with children