Suldalslågen river

Suldalslågen is one of the best salmon rivers in Norway. At the end of the 1800s, an Englishman by the name of Walter Archer, an avid angler and amateur salmon researcher, bought the fishing rights along the entire Suldalslågen river. He banned all other gear than the fishing rod. As a result of the ban on nets and weirs and other commercial fishing gear, Suldalslågen became extremely popular with sports fishermen.

The annual catch in Suldalslågen, where the season lasts from mid June through September, has varied between 1 and 8 tonnes. There were record catches in the mid 1960s, but the late 1990s saw years when the total catch dropped below one tonne. Nonetheless, Suldalslågen remained popular, as the average weight of the salmon caught were 9–10 kg. In recent years the catch is back up between 3 and 4 tonnes, with 7 tonnes caught in 2012.

The salmon fishing season in Suldalslågen usually lasts from 20 July until 30 September, but may vary slightly from year to year. With the required fishing license, anglers are allowed to catch up to two salmon per day. All female salmon longer than 75 cm must be released so they can spawn.

Suldalslågen is gaining popularity also for other activities, such as salmon safaris, canoeing and river rafting. Families and groups often enjoy tailored trips and adventures.

For information on the sale of fishing licenses to Suldalslågen, please see www.suldalslagen.com

For information on the required national fishing license, see www.fiskeravgift.miljodirektoratet.no/

Mo Laksegard has a fishing guide to Suldalslågen, tel (+47) 52 79 76 90.

You can check the movement of the salmon on the live webcam on Youtube at skoti@suldalslågen.

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