Combine your mountain trip with fishing and add an extra dimension to your journey through the breathtaking nature in Jotunheimen National Park.
Historically, fishing in the mountains has been a very important part for surviving in the inland of Norway. There are thousands of lakes, rivers and streams for fresh water fishing. The most common art is trout. Or brown trout. Hiking in the mountains of Norway can be combined with fresh water fishing.
Lom and Jotunheimen offer many exciting opportunities for fishing in rivers and lakes. Examples of good fishing lakes in the area include Lake Gjende*, Bessvatnet, Langvatnet, Leirvatnet and Preststeinvatnet. The primary access points to Jotunheimen are Gjendeosen, Veodalen, Spiterstulen, Leirvassbu, and Sognefjellet.
The equipment for fishing does not have to be expensive. A fishing rod, some lures of different types or/and a spinner. Flyfishing is also an option.
Skim is the part of River Otta flowing past Fossbergom and is rich in trout and grayling – in fact; it is one of the best rivers in Northern Europe!
You may do your angling with fishing rods, lines and otters; fishing nets are reserved for local citizens. Angling might be done on both sides of the river. On the northern bank there is a marked path westwards from the bridge and there are grills and a fishing shed along this path, look at the map in this folder. Boats may be hired at Nissegarden. Angling at Skim is organized by Skim Association of Landowners. They want you to use disinfected fishing tackle and that you don’t leave your rubbish behind! Do spend some time along our shore and enjoy your catch!
Fishing licences are valid in specific geographical areas and for specific periods. People under the age of 16 can fish free of charge. Youth may fish with rod without charge, till they are 20 of age. They however need a free permit from the lawful owner. Angling permits are freely available (children under 16 can fish free of charge in the season).
In the area of Lom, fishing licence are sold here: Norwegian Mountain Center, Esso, Fjell og Fritid, Sport 1 Lom, Bergom klær sko og sport (2nd. floor at Coop Extra). You can also buy the permits online at inatur.no.
The Norwegian law «Allemannsretten» provides everyone with the right to public access and free movement in the mountains, regardless of the landowner. The said law also gives everyone duties: Leave the area as when you arrived, and bring all garbage with you back. In Norway, we name this trackless traffic.
People have fished in the Norwegian mountains since they first settled. Probably as far back as the late Stone Age at about 3800–2350 BC. Some of the first tourists that came to inland Norway were combining hiking and fishing. This is well documented in the book «Three in Norway by two of them», written by Walter J. Clutterbuck and James A. Lees. The book was first published in 1882 and has been read by millions of people since then. The three British comrades' stayed in Jotunheimen and were fishing in the areas around lake Gjende.
So, bring your fishing rod for your next visit in Lom and Jotunheimen. Enjoy the nature and go explore the lakes and rivers. Nothing tastes better than a fresh trout fried outside in God's free nature.
More information | Fishing in Lom National Park Village
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