Sea fishing
NB the information below is given as an indication only, the laws, regulations and bans on sea and freshwater fishing may be modified. There are therefore many local regulations that govern different types of fishing, particularly freshwater, where fishing permits are often necessary, including rivers and salmonid (salmon, trout, whitefish) fishing. If you have any doubts about the regulations, check with the local tourist office.
General information on sea fishing
Who can fish and with what tackle?
Only Norwegian nationals or foreign residents with a fixed address in Norway are authorised to used “fixed” fishing tackle in Norwegian territorial waters: nets, longlines, traps (baskets, etc.) and bottom line fishing.
Non-resident foreigners may fish with “hand-held” tackle such as fishing rods or hand-held lines (for fishing from the stern of a moving boat) but are not allowed to sell their catch (summary of fishing law 1983-06-03 No. 40).
Quotas for recreational fishing (maximum authorised quantities)
It is prohibited to carry over 15 kg of fish per person across Norwegian borders. This applies to foreigners and Norwegians alike.
Minimum authorised sizes
Extract of the law on sea fishing, translated from Norwegian (law 2004-12-22 - 1878 chapter 9). The full legislative text may be read (in Norwegian) by clicking here. Rando-Lofoten have added explanations where necessary (in blue).
Chapter IX. Minimum sizes and steps to limit the catching of fish below the minimum size
paragraph 43. Minimum sizes
It is prohibited to catch fish under the following sizes:
| 1. | Halibut | 80 cm |
| 2. | Cod a) North of 62° N b) South of 62° N |
44 cm 40 cm |
| 3. | Haddock a) North of 62° N b) South of 62° N |
40 cm 31 cm |
| 4. | Hake | 30 cm |
| 5. | Plaice a) In the zone described in paragraph No. 3 1, 2 and 3 (except for the Skagerrak) b) In the Skagerrak described in paragraph 3 No. 4 (the Skagerrak) |
29 cm 27 cm |
| 6. | Witch flounder (RL : Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) | 28 cm |
| 7. | Sole | 23 cm |
| 8. | Lemon-sole | 25 cm |
| 9. | Common sole | 24 cm |
| 10. | Turbot | 30 cm |
| 11. | Brill | 30 cm |
| 12. | Megrim | 25 cm |
| 13. | Whiting | 32 cm |
| 14. | Flounder | 20 cm |
| 15. | Eel a) Before sexual maturity b) After sexual maturity |
40 cm 37 cm |
| 16. | Pollock a) North of 62° N b) South of 62° N |
45 cm 40 cm |
| c) Minimum size for fishing with a “not” type net (RL: the “not” in Norwegian is a net used to catch fish like in a creel (basket); fish do not get caught in the mesh as they do in standard nets). NB non-resident foreigners are prohibited from using fishing nets. We have not therefore considered it necessary to translate the relative section of the Act of Parliament. |
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| 17. | Dogfish | 70 cm |
| 18. | Greenland halibut | 45 cm |
| 19. | Monkfish (RL: caught with a net, so non-resident foreigners are not allowed to catch them) | 60 cm |
| 20. | Golden redfish a) Beyond 12 nautical miles of the coast b) Within 12 miles of the coast |
30 cm 32 cm |
| 21. | Mackerel | 30 cm |
| 22. |
Herring fished in the zone described in paragraph 3 No. 4 (the Skagerrak), except for fjord herring within 2 nautical miles of the coast. |
18 cm |
| 23. | Atlantic herring | 20 cm |
| 24. | Norwegian herring spawning in the spring | 25 cm |
| 25. | Herring in Trondheim Fjord | 23 cm |
| 26. | Capelin a) North of 62° N b) In the fishing zone near Jan Mayen (RL: Norwegian island) |
11 cm 12 cm |
| 27. | Shrimp | 6 cm |
| 28. | Dublin Bay prawn | 13 cm |
| 29. | Crab | 13 cm |
| 30. | Crab along the coast of Rogaland towards Sweden | 11 cm |
| 31. | Iceland scallop in Nordland, Troms and places in Finnmark | 6,5 cm |
| 32. | Lobster | 25 cm |
| 33. | King crab in East-Finnmark, controlled by quotas | 13 cm |
| 34. | Scallops | 10 cm |
| 35. | Wrasse | 11 cm |
| 36. | Sand eels | 10 cm |
| 37. | Sprat within 4 nautical miles of the coast | 9 cm |
paragraph 44. How to measure fish
- Fish are measured from the tip of the upper jaw to the end of the shortest caudal ray. (RL: you measure the length to the fork in the tail)
- Dogfish are measured from the tip of the upper jaw to the to the end of the upper tail fin.
- Lobster and Dublin Bay prawns are measured from the rostrum to the end of the tail.
- Shrimp are measured from the front of the eye to the back of the tail.
- Crabs are measured along the widest section of the shell.
- Iceland scallops are measured along the length (from the hinge to the other end).
- Scallops are measured along the longest section of the shell.
- King crabs are measured from lowest part of the eye socket to the hollow in the middle of the shell.