Question 1

Do I need a fishing license in Norway?

Accepted Answer

Sea fishing: no license required. Official source: fiskeridir.no (https://www.fiskeridir.no).

Question 2

Where can I buy a fishing permit for Norway?

Accepted Answer

You can buy permits via: National fishing fee (Fiskeravgift) (Miljødirektoratet); Local fishing permit (Fiskekort) (Inatur); Local fishing permit (Elveguiden); State land permit (Statskog) (Inatur); No license needed (Sea fishing).

Question 3

What fish species are common in Norway?

Accepted Answer

Popular target species in Norway include Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut, Coalfish/Saithe, Pollack, Atlantic salmon. See the species table on this page for sizes, closed seasons and key waters.

Question 4

What are the main fishing rules in Norway?

Accepted Answer

Tourists may take max 18 kg of fish fillet out of the country (plus 1 trophy fish). Closed seasons, minimum sizes and bag limits vary by species and water — see the rules tables above.

Question 5

Is catch and release allowed in Norway?

Accepted Answer

Catch and release is generally allowed but rules differ per water and species. Always verify with Fiskeridirektoratet (sea), Miljødirektoratet (freshwater).

Species	Water	Min size	Bag limit	Closed season	Notes
Cod	Sea	44 cm	—	—	Tourist export limit: 18 kg fillet
Halibut	Sea	80 cm	—	—	—
Atlantic salmon	Rivers	Varies by river	Varies by river	—	Local license required
Sea trout	Sea/rivers	Varies	—	—	Protected in many rivers
Lobster	Coast	25 cm total	2/day	Season: Oct 1 – Nov 30	—
King crab	Finnmark	Varies	—	—	Special permit required

English	Norska	Scientific	FAO	Min size	Closed season	Methods	Key waters
Atlantic cod	Torsk	Gadus morhua	COD	44 cm	—	Pirk, jig, bottom	Lofoten, Nordland, fjords
Atlantic halibut	Kveite	Hippoglossus hippoglossus	HAL	80 cm	—	Bottom, live bait	Nordland, Troms, fjords
Coalfish/Saithe	Sei	Pollachius virens	POK	35 cm	—	Pirk, spin, fly	All Norwegian coast
Pollack	Lyr	Pollachius pollachius	POL	30 cm	—	Spin, pirk	South/west coast
Atlantic salmon	Laks	Salmo salar	SAL	Varies by river	Varies (Jun–Aug typical)	Fly, spin	Alta, Tana, Namsen, Gaula
Sea trout	Sjøørret	Salmo trutta	TRS	Varies	Varies by river	Fly, spin	Coastal rivers, fjords
Arctic char	Røye	Salvelinus alpinus	ACH	—	—	Fly, spin, ice	Mountain lakes, Finnmark
Brown trout	Brunørret	Salmo trutta	TRS	—	—	Fly, spin	Lakes & rivers nationwide
Northern pike	Gjedde	Esox lucius	FPI	—	—	Spin, fly	Eastern Norway, Glomma
European perch	Abbor	Perca fluviatilis	FPE	—	—	Spin, jig	Lakes in south/east
Mackerel	Makrell	Scomber scombrus	MAC	30 cm	—	Feathers, spin	Southern coast (summer)
King crab	Kongekrabbe	Paralithodes camtschaticus	KCR	—	Special permit	Pots	Finnmark
European lobster	Hummer	Homarus gammarus	LBE	25 cm total	Oct 1–Nov 30	Pots	South/west coast
Wolffish	Steinbit	Anarhichas lupus	CAA	45 cm	—	Bottom	Northern coast

Fishing in Norway

Licenses & permits

Where to buy

General rules

Species-specific rules

Common species in Norway

Frequently asked questions about fishing in Norway