Fishing regulations

For fishing for anadromous fish species in the Orkla and its tributaries the following regulation are in force for the season 2023, unanimously decided by the Orkla River Owner’s Association (OROA):

Every year, all fishermen must re-register before fishing starts in accordance with the fishing rules. This year, it is done via Orkla’s registration card. click here to register as a fisherman

 

§ 1 Fishing period
Angling for Atlantic salmon is allowed in the period from 1 June 00.00 to 31 August 2400. There is no fishing for sea trout (anadromous and stationary brown trout) and female salmon above 65 cm.

§ 2 Legal fishing equipment
Fishing rod is the only gear allowed for salmon fishing. There can only be used one rod for each person, one fishing line for each tool and one bait for each fishline. It is illegal to leave fishing tackle unattended in the river during fishing (passive angling is not allowed). Legal baits are; natural worm *), fishing lure/spoon, spinner, fly and wobbler with one treble-hook as max. Shrimp/prawn and artificial worm**) as bait are forbidden in the whole watershed. Import of natural worms to Norway must follow national laws. No bait can have more than three single-hooks or one treble-hook. The distance between the shaft and the tip of the hook can not be greater than 13 mm, the same distance on single-hooks cannot be larger than 15 mm. When using fly as bait, a floating bobber or a flyline must make up the casting-weight. It means that the weight should not be in the hook, tube or another part of the equipment. The use of sinker is only allowed while fishing with worms. When bobber is used, the bobber must float on the water surface. It is illegal to fish so that the fish is likely to get harmed or injured. Snagging is strictly forbidden.
*) Natural worm = biological worm, example: earthworm.
**) Artificial worm = technically produced worm, example: “Gulp”

§ 3 Daily and seasonal quota, catch and release
Quota for retained (killed) salmon is 1 (one) per 24 hour and 4 (four) for the season. Only one of these can be above 80 cm in overall length. The quota is personal and cannot be transferred to others. It is the person who hooks the salmon who must put it on his/her quota. The 24 hour quota is defined as the number of salmon one person can retain (kill) during 24 hours. The period follows the hours as given on a daily license, for week- or seasonal licenses the 24 hour period follows the date (0000 – 2400). When the 24-hour quota is reached, all fishing should be suspended until the next 24 hour period starts. The seasonal quota is the number of salmon an angler can retain (kill) during the season. When the seasonal quota is reached, the angler must stop all fishing until the next season.

§ 4 Minimum and maximum size, catch and release
All Atlantic salmon under 35 cm must be released alive back into the river. Salmon that have been in the river over the winter (kelts) must all be released. All anadromous sea trout and brown trout must be released alive back to the river, independent of size. All female salmon above 65 cm MUST be released alive. If you are uncertain of the sex of the fish, it must be released alive. We recommend that all colored fish is released alive.

§ 5 Obligatory catch reports and scale samples of killed salmon
All fishermen who are going to fish in Orkla must have the Orkla card before they start fishing. All fish must be reported continuously to Orkla Fellesforvaltning throughout the season, including returned fish. Fishing cannot be resumed until fish caught have been reported.

Report here : https://elveguiden.no/en/profile?tabType=report-catch

The catch report should include as a minimum: Date, Name of beat, Species, Weight, Sex, Length, Full Name of angler, Type of tackle/bait, and if the fish was killed or released. The angler is responsible for reporting correct catch data.All catch reports with the information listed above will be stored in the catch database for Orkla and is subject to publication on the website www.orklaguide.com. A picture and Scale samples should be taken and delivered to OROA of all killed salmon. www.orklaguide.com reserve the right to further use of uploaded catch photos. All anglers are obliged to register here: Orklakortet before fishing starts!

Anglers are responsible for taking scale samples of all killed salmon. These must be delivered to OROA. Scale samples must be delivered at a confirmed collecting box or other authorized location within two days (48 hours) after the catch

§ 6 Fishing regulation by waterfalls, rapids and bridges
From 1 July and to the end of the fishing season, only fishing with «light tackle» is allowed from Vigor bridge and to the border between the sea and the river. Light tackle is fly fishing when the fly line makes up the casting weight or fishing with earthworms with or without a floating bobber. Use of sinker is not allowed.

§ 7 Disinfection of fishing equipment
All fishing equipment, landing net, waders, boats and it’s like, that have been used in other river systems the same season must be disinfected before use in river Orkla. By bringing tackle and fishing equipment to Norway from abroad, everything must unconditionally be cleaned and disinfected before use in the river. Disinfection license must be shown by purchasing a fishing license or when renting fishing rights. The disinfection license must be brought with you at all times during fishing and be presented at a possible control. Disinfection is done free of charge for all anglers under 18 years of age at any disinfection station along Orkla.

§ 8 Pre and mid-season spawning target evaluation
Before the end of July the Orkla River Owners Association will conduct a mid-season evaluation whether it is likely that the river will reach its spawning stock targets, in case of extraordinary precautions and stricter regulations must be made.

§ 9 Violation of regulations.
Violation of these regulations as well as assisting someone violating rules are punishable. Violation of the regulations can lead to a fee, exclusion from the river and/or a police report. Fishing can not be continued before fee is paid.

Fee for:

– missing Orkla card, photo of killed fish and shell sample is up to NOK. NOK 1,000.

– failure to disinfect, failure to report and breach of the rules in connection with tool use is up to NOK. NOK 3,000.

– quota violations and complicity in quota violations are up to NOK 6,000.

In addition, anglers who do not comply with the quota regulation or behave unacceptable , will not be allowed a fishing licence for two years in Orkla. In aggravating circumstances, exclusion can be extended for a longer period of time. The angler subject to exclusion is personally responsible for giving up fishing for the exclusion period. Violation of this will lead to an extension of the exclusion period.

§ 10 Come to force
These regulations will come in to force the 15 of May 2023.