The 2025 Norway salmon fishing season once again brings much excitement and hopefully the chance of a catching big Atlantic salmon.
For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
Norway Salmon Fishing Report – 30th June 2025
We have completed the opening month of the much anticipated 2025 salmon season. It has been a month of mixed fortunes, largely due to the cold and wet weather. For months many have debated what this season would bring, and so far the run markers have been very positive. Water levels are good, and if anything have been a bit too high and too cold for consistent fishing. There has been some huge salmon caught, and we can only hope of more to come especially with the northern fisheries moving into their prime.
The Gaula
Total catch in 2023: 456 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 759
Largest Fish: 19kg (41.89lb)
Average size: 7.0kg (15.43lb)
The first month saw fish mainly caught in the lower river, as to be expected but it was exciting to see a number of fish caught above the Gaulfoss including a fish over 40lb. Water conditions are good and the fish continue to enter the river and we hope will start to pass the Gaulfoss with more pace over the next few weeks. The standout is that the catch and release rate is currently 91.2%, a great sign for the future of the big Gaula salmon.
So far this season there has been two salmon over 40lb and 17 fish over 30lb. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Winsnes Lodge
Total Catch in 2024: 12 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Total catch in 2025: 9
Largest Fish: 10.5kg (23.15lb)
Average size: 7.15kg (15.76lb)
There’s not enough lipstick to slap on the pig to make this one look good. Where do I start? I’ll start with the successes which came in the form of two cracking fish caught by Petter Dragvoll and Cato Wennevik. Petter caught his fish on Kjellfloa and it measured 92cm (7.6kilos). Cato caught his salmon at the eleventh hour on the bottle pool. A beautiful salmon it was 102cm (10.5 kilos). Madelen Tørum did really well to hook and play a fish to the net in Kroken, only to see it swim free after a hook pull. On a tough week she fished well.
The weather. Yes, the weather. It’s been wet to say the least, with just one dry, sunny day in several weeks and a river that is consequently up and down on a daily basis. There’s no doubt about it, the weather has been good for the river generally so I won’t knock it but the high water and unsettled nature of the conditions has caused the fish to stay frustratingly downstream of us.
I’ll be honest, last week was our worst ever week 26 in all the years we have been doing it. In a week that usually produces between 15 and 25 fish, we were thankful to get just 2 salmon for our 8 rods. We had some good anglers in too, and they certainly put in the hours but you can’t catch what’s not there and whilst we have started to see odd fish, the normal number of residents just isn’t there yet.
Eventually the fish will move up here and I remain optimistic of some good sport but boy are they taking their time to get here. The high water and the unsettled nature of the weather are probably the root cause but looking at catches downstream, particularly below Gaulfossen, there are enough fish in the system to deliver us a decent week. Fingers crossed that we finally get lift off in the next 7 days!
Last minute availability:
13 – 20 July (week 29): 4 rods (prime week – self-catering)
20 – 27 July (week 30): 1 rod (good fishing throughout all beats self-catering)
3 – 10 August (week 32): 4 rods (exciting late season week – self-catering)
10 – 17 August (week 33): 4 rods (exciting late season week – self-catering)
17 – 24 August (week 34): 2 rods (exciting late season week)
Norwegian Flyfisher’s Club
Total Catch in 2024: 24 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Total Catch in 2025: 56
Largest Fish: 13.5kg (29.76lb)
Average size: 7.07kg (15.59lb)
Towards the end of June, the action has been picking up on the NFC beats both above and below the Gaulfoss. The salmon seem to be moving through the river in pods, often with anglers hooking a couple of salmon in quick succession. There have been some fantastic fish caught throughout, and one notable turn up was a stunning 73cm sea trout for Sacha.
Last minute availability:
13 – 20 July (week 29): 2 rods (good fishing throughout all beats)
20 – 27 July (week 30): 5 rods (good fishing throughout all beats)
27 July – 3 August (week 31): 8 rods (exciting late season week)
3 – 10 August (week 32): 8 rods (exciting late season week)
10 – 31 August (weeks 33, 34 & 35): rods available for the country house option, perfect for low budget trips.
The Orkla
Total catch in 2024: 277 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 470
Largest Fish: 18.5kg (40.79lb)
Average size: 7.1kg (15.65lb)
The Orkla tends to experience very similar conditions to the Gaula, with regular floods pushing through the fishing has generally been slow. When the water clears though, the fishing tends to take off and clusters of stunning fresh salmon are caught. So far this season there has been three salmon over 40lb and 11 salmon over 30lb too. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Grindal Lodge
Total Catch in 2024: 6 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Total catch in 2025: 14
Largest Fish: 13.8kg (30.42lb)
Average size: 8.5kg (18.74lb)
Since the start of the season, we have landed a total of 14 salmon and lost a good few more – despite a lot of water. The pool Pollen has been by far and away the best pool on the beat so far this season with five salmon so far.
The latest report from the research net shows a fivefold increase in large salmon compared to last year – which is of course very pleasing for all wild salmon enthusiasts!
Last minute availability:
13 – 20 July (week 29) – 2 rods (prime week)
Other dates available on request.
The Lakselv
Total catch in 2024: 399 (some reporting discrepancies due to new system)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 45
Largest Fish: 17kg (37.48lb)
Average size: 7.94kg (17.5lb)
Oldero Lodge
Total Catch in 2024: 113
Total Catch in 2025: 5
Largest Fish: 13.8kg (30.42lb)
Average size: –
It is late spring in the north of Norway but we are getting more and more action every day now, salmon are coming in on every big tide at the moment. We still have the best period in front of us as Lakselv have much later runs than other Finnmark rivers. So far “broken running line”, “broken shooting head” and “broken treble hook” are just a few of the headlines with big fish encounters we could tell at the moment.
Last minute availability:
20 – 27 July (week 30) – 2 rods
3 – 10 August (week 32) – 2 rods
17 – 24 August (week 34) – 2 rods
The Namsen
Total catch in 2024: 1,998 (season was closed for 2+ weeks)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 1,542
Largest Fish: 18kg (39.68lb)
Average size: 5.4kg (11.91lb)
The Namsen lies just north of Trondheim and has a rich history for big salmon. It is a much bigger river than the likes of the Gaula and Orkla so whilst fly fishing is not always the primary method there are some lovely beats suited for fly fishing. The 2025 season has had a good start already with fantastic numbers of medium fish recorded in the the test nets.
So far this season there has been 29 salmon over 30lb, two of these fish was taken on fly. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
Norway Salmon Fishing Report – 10th June 2025
The much anticipated 2025 salmon season has arrived, and so have the salmon! For months many have debated what this season would bring, and so far the early indicators are very positive. Water levels are good, late snow remains in the mountains, and the medium and large salmon have turned up. We are just over a week into the season and already there has been some huge salmon and more to come.
The Gaula
Total catch in 2023: 456 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 247
Largest Fish: 19kg (41.89lb)
Average size: 8.0kg (17.64lb)
The first week saw fish mainly caught in the lower river, as to be expected but it was exciting to see fish caught above the Gaulfoss including a fish over 40lb. Water conditions are good and the fish continue to enter the river. The standout is that the catch and release rate is currently 91.5%, a great sign for the future of the big Gaula salmon.
So far this season there has been two salmon over 40lb and six fish over 30lb. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Winsnes Lodge
Total Catch in 2024: 12 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Total catch in 2025: 0
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –
The first anglers have started fishing the Winsnes beats and with fish being caught above the Gaulfoss, it is only a matter of time before the first salmon is landed at Winsnes.
Last minute availability:
6 – 13 July (week 28): 2 rods (prime week)
13 – 20 July (week 29): 4 rods (prime week – self-catering)
20 – 27 July (week 30): 1 rod (good fishing throughout all beats self-catering)
3 – 10 August (week 32): 4 rods (exciting late season week – self-catering)
10 – 17 August (week 33): 4 rods (exciting late season week – self-catering)
17 – 24 August (week 34): 2 rods (exciting late season week)
Norwegian Flyfisher’s Club
Total Catch in 2024: 24 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Total Catch in 2025: 7
Largest Fish: 11.8kg (26.01lb)
Average size: 9.0kg (19.84lb)
In the last few days the action has been picking up on the NFC beats both above and below the Gaulfoss. The salmon seem to be moving through the river in pods, often with anglers hooking a couple of salmon in quick succession, sadly a few have been lost too. If the runs continue like this, we have some exciting days to come.
Last minute availability:
15 – 22 June (week 25): 2 rods (prime week)
22 – 29 June (week 26): 3 rods (prime week)
29 June – 6 July (week 27): 2 rods (prime week)
6 – 13 July (week 28): 3 rods (prime week)
13 – 20 July (week 29): 2 rods (good fishing throughout all beats)
20 – 27 July (week 30): 5 rods (good fishing throughout all beats)
27 July – 3 August (week 31): 8 rods (exciting late season week)
3 – 10 August (week 32): 8 rods (exciting late season week)
10 – 31 August (weeks 33, 34 & 35): rods available for the country house option, perfect for low budget trips.
The Orkla
Total catch in 2024: 277 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 131
Largest Fish: 18.5kg (40.79lb)
Average size: 8.7kg (19.18lb)
The Orkla tends to experience very similar conditions to the Gaula, with spring floods pushing through just before opening day. Levels are good and the fish are moving through the river nicely, with fish being landed throughout the system.
So far this season there has been two salmon over 40lb and six salmon over 30lb too. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Grindal Lodge
Total Catch in 2024: 6 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Total catch in 2025: 5
Largest Fish: 12kg (26.46lb)
Average size: 9.9kg (19.84lb)
Guests at Grindal have been enjoying good action the last few days with the pool Pollen being the main producer currently. We expect a big fish to turn up in the catches any day soon.
Last minute availability:
13 – 20 July (week 29) – 2 rods (prime week)
Other dates available on request.
The Lakselv
Total catch in 2024: 271
Current recorded catch for 2025: 0
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –
Oldero Lodge
Total Catch in 2024: 113
Total Catch in 2025: 0
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –
June is still winter this far north, the snow pack remains good in the mountains and we expect conditions to improve as the month goes on. The first fish won’t be far away from moving up the river and we don’t think it will be long until the first salmon of 2025 is caught.
Last minute availability:
20 – 27 July (week 30) – 2 rods
3 – 10 August (week 32) – 2 rods
17 – 24 August (week 34) – 2 rods
The Namsen
Total catch in 2024: 1998 (season was closed for 2+ weeks)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 474
Largest Fish: 18kg (39.68lb)
Average size: 6.5kg (14.33lb)
The Namsen lies just north of Trondheim and has a rich history for big salmon. It is a much bigger river than the likes of the Gaula and Orkla so whilst fly fishing is not always the primary method there are some lovely beats suited for fly fishing. The 2025 season has had a good start already with fantastic numbers of medium fish recorded in the the test nets.
So far this season there has been 13 salmon over 30lb, one of these fish was taken on fly. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
Norway Salmon Fishing Report – 2nd June 2025
The much anticipated 2025 salmon season has arrived, and so have the salmon! For months many have debated what this season would bring, and so far the early indicators are very positive. Water levels are good, late snow remains in the mountains, and the medium and large salmon have turned up. We are two days into the season and already there is much to celebrate.
The Gaula
Total catch in 2023: 456 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 47
Largest Fish: 15kg (33.07lb)
Average size: 8.2kg (18.08lb)
The final days of May saw the peak of the snowmelt flood, just in time for the first anglers to hit the water at midnight. The test nets in the fjord had already indicated that there were good numbers of medium and large salmon making their way to the regions rivers. The anglers on the lower river have proven that point to be true too. The standout stat is the fantastic catch and release rate of 89.4%, a vast improvement on previous seasons.
So far this season there has been 2 salmon over 30lb. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Winsnes Lodge
Total Catch in 2024: 12 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Total catch in 2025: 0
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –
Opening day was quiet for us but not for the river as a whole. It’s rare for us to have guests booked in for opening week since salmon don’t usually begin to arrive on our beats for another 7-14 days and this season we don’t get our first guests until next week.
However, it was a good chance to get a look at the effects of our new rules which offer significant extra protection for the fish. With around 40 fish caught on opening day by a reduced number of anglers, this is a decent start. Because the fish are protected, the kill rate is way down and the number of rods on the river is somewhere close to where it should be for the long term. An estimated reduction of fifty percent of anglers is thought to be the turnout. Without question, the people who have abandoned the river have done so because they can’t kill the big fish. This is very good news for the river, particularly after last year’s disastrous run of fish and the killing of almost the entire run of early season big female fish.
Of the fish caught on opening day, the big takeaway is that instead of being dead, those fish are still in the river with so far just two killed and delivered to the authorities. As the days pass, stocks will build up and we should get an increase in the number of salmon getting to our beats. I anticipate that a reduction in the killing of the stock will, lead to an uplift of up to fifty percent on the middle to upper river. The knock-on benefits in spawning numbers will be a huge plus for us.
Yesterday morning, the fish passed through the notorious Gaulfosse and are on their way to our area of the river.
The majority of fish were caught by fly fishing with worm and spoon fishing mercifully being reduced. The rise in the popularity of fly fishing has been notable in recent years and this is a continuation of the trend that is already happening. The biggest fish caught so far weighed 15 kilos and was 114cm long. The run is dominated by big and medium size salmon, with an average weight of just over 7 kilos (16 pounds).
River levels rose quickly yesterday evening and this can be seen in catches which have reduced overnight.
However, the river will fall during the daytime and I expect fish to get caught on the lower river this evening (2nd June). Later this week we should see the capture of fish above the Gaulfosse. When this happens, sport in this part of the river is usually 3-5 days behind. Currently, the water temperature is above 7 degrees and the river is still getting some trickle snow melt which is a really good thing.
I will make a few casts each day (!) until the salmon arrive. With fish through the Gaulfosse and decent weather in the week ahead, we should get a better idea of how good the fishing is going to be in the next few days and I will continue to publish reports.
Last minute availability:
8 – 15 June (week 24): 2 rods (exciting early season week)
6 – 13 July (week 28): 2 rods (prime week)
13 – 20 July (week 29): 4 rods (prime week – self-catering)
20 – 27 July (week 30): 1 rod (good fishing throughout all beats self-catering)
3 – 10 August (week 32): 4 rods (exciting late season week – self-catering)
10 – 17 August (week 33): 4 rods (exciting late season week – self-catering)
17 – 24 August (week 34): 2 rods (exciting late season week)
Norwegian Flyfisher’s Club
Total Catch in 2024: 24 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Total Catch in 2025: 1
Largest Fish: 11.8kg (26.01lb)
Average size: 11.8kg (26.01lb)
The first salmon on NFC waters was caught again by Kim from Denmark on Beat E1a last night. The fish measured 106cm and estimated to weigh 11.8kg – congrats Kim! The opening day was quite good on the Gaula, considering the much fewer rods fishing the river in general this year’s opening due to stronger regulations. We got heavy rain last night, so the river is a bit coloured at the moment but clearing up now and we hope to have more fish in the statistics later today.
an exciting update for the lodge this season, there is a new Beat in the rotation. The Beat is in Melhus on the lower river. Whilst it is a bit of a distance from the lodge it offers very nice fly water and a great chance to intercept the early running fish. It is just 10 minutes further down from the E-Beats and offers fishing in all water levels.
Last minute availability:
8 – 15 June (week 24): 4 rods (exciting early season week)
15 – 22 June (week 25): 2 rods (prime week)
22 – 29 June (week 26): 3 rods (prime week)
29 June – 6 July (week 27): 2 rods (prime week)
6 – 13 July (week 28): 3 rods (prime week)
13 – 20 July (week 29): 2 rods (good fishing throughout all beats)
20 – 27 July (week 30): 5 rods (good fishing throughout all beats)
27 July – 3 August (week 31): 8 rods (exciting late season week)
3 – 10 August (week 32): 8 rods (exciting late season week)
10 – 31 August (weeks 33, 34 & 35): rods available for the country house option, perfect for low budget trips.
The Orkla
Total catch in 2024: 277 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 39
Largest Fish: 17.6kg (38.80lb)
Average size: 9.0kg (19.84lb)
The Orkla tends to experience very similar conditions to the Gaula, with spring floods pushing through just before opening day. Levels remain good and the fish are moving through the river nicely.
So far this season there has been three salmon over 30lb too. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Grindal Lodge
Total Catch in 2024: 6 (fishing closed on 22nd June 2024)
Total catch in 2025: 2
Largest Fish: 11kg (24.25lb)
Average size: 9kg (19.84lb)
Last week the fishing has been slow with only a few contacts made. The water level has been really low and seems like the salmon are not running in numbers at the moment. Now we have had heavy rain, we are sure we will see fresh fish in the upcoming days.
Last minute availability:
13 – 20 July (week 29) – 2 rods (prime week)
Other dates available on request.
The Lakselv
Total catch in 2024: 271
Current recorded catch for 2025: 0
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –
Oldero Lodge
Total Catch in 2024: 113
Total Catch in 2025: 0
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –
June is still winter this far north, the snow pack remains good in the mountains and we expect conditions to improve as the month goes on. The first fish won’t be far away from moving up the river and we don’t think it will be long until the first salmon of 2025 is caught.
Last minute availability:
20 – 27 July (week 30) – 2 rods
The Namsen
Total catch in 2024: 1998 (season was closed for 2+ weeks)
Current recorded catch for 2025: 183
Largest Fish: 17kg (37.48lb)
Average size: 6.9kg (15.21lb)
The Namsen lies just north of Trondheim and has a rich history for big salmon. It is a much bigger river than the likes of the Gaula and Orkla so whilst fly fishing is not always the primary method there are some lovely beats suited for fly fishing. The 2025 season has had a good start already with fantastic numbers of medium fish recorded in the the test nets.
So far this season there has been five salmon over 30lb, one of these fish was taken on fly. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.