Did you know
...that you need a licence to fish in lakes and rivers in Norway?Whether you need a licence to fish or not depends upon whether you will be sports fishing in saltwater or in freshwater.
The Directorate for Nature Management has published web pages stating that sports fishing in the sea is free, and is an important part of the right of free access. As a general rule, you do not need the landowner's permission to use a rod and handline or fixed gear. However, the landowner has exclusive rights to fishing for anadromous salmonids (salmon, sea trout and sea char) with fixed gear on his own property and adjacent areas. Norway has a comprehensive set of rules governing fishing in salt water, for example on the types of gear that may be used, marking of gear and fishing seasons. However, there are relatively few restrictions on fishing with a rod and handline.
In rivers and lakes, sports fishing is not included in the right of free access: the fishing rights belong to the landowner. In Norway, there is a distinction between government property, state common land and private property, but regardless of who owns the land, you may only fish if you have permission from the landowner or have bought a fishing licence.
All anglers over the age of 16 who wish to fish for salmon, sea trout and sea char (anadromous salmonids) in fresh water must pay the National Fishing Licence, an annual fee payable to the Norwegian Government.
You can pay online, (follow link and click flag for English version). For further information and help, phone: (+47) 74213090.
