Ice fishing in Norway

Fishing is a major part of Norwegian life, with it being the main source of the country's economy and food for hundreds of years. However, the fishing industry does not come to a screeching halt just because some snow starts flying. If it did, then the entire country would almost come to a halt for almost half of the year.

Ice fishing is not nearly as widespread in Norway as it is in other Northern countries due to the fact that the coastline and fjords in Norway do not freeze up during the winter season. Therefore, doing any ice fishing in these areas is impossible because there is no ice to fish through. There are still thousands of lakes located throughout mainland Norway that do completely freeze over in the winter season—which makes them a prime spot for ice fishing.

The locals who live in these areas have learned to adapt their fishing tactics to cope with the winter weather. This has led to a thriving ice fishing industry throughout the country, especially in the northern half of it. If ice fishing is one of the things to do in Norway that interests you, then here are some of the best places to head out onto the country’s frozen lakes and catch some fish.

Tromsø

Tromsø is called the "Gateway to the Arctic" and offers perfect conditions for every one who wants to go ice fishing. With its dancing Northern Lights and its many frozen lakes and waters, Tromsø is great place to try your fishing luck! In the arctic wilderness you have so many opportunities to catch a trout, a coalfish or a cod. Few things beat the feeling of excitement when the fish bites and you catch your own lunch, fresh and ready to be fried on the bonfire.

Lake Mjøsa

Located right next to the town of Gjøvik is Lake Mjøsa, which is the largest lake in all of Norway. Although it is located in the Southeastern part of the country, it is still known to get at least a few inches of ice on it during the winter season.

Since it is the largest lake, it also contains one of the highest populations of fish in mainland Norway as well. This makes it a fisherman's paradise as 50cm perch and trout weighing over four kilograms are quite a common thing to catch at Lake Mjøsa.

Jonsvatnet

Located further north is another Lake named Jonsvatnet, which is nearby the bustling city of Trondheim. Its Northern location and proximity to the major city as well as a popular fjord in Norway means that it is very easy to access, even during the middle of winter. As the main source of drinking water for Trondheim, Jonsvatnet has certain restrictions on fishing but is still a popular spot to catch endless amounts of fish, especially during the winter season.

Ørsjøen

Located in the Southeastern tip of the country, Ørsjøen is a lake that is a popular fishing destination for locals and tourists alike in the summer and winter seasons. Once winter arrives, fishermen trade in their boats for augers and drill holes in the ice to begin their ice fishing expeditions. It is also located only a couple of hours away from the town of Halden, making it remote but not too remote to easily get to.

Tinnsjå

Approximately two hours West of Oslo is the third deepest lake in the entire country, which is Tinnsjå. Not only does this lake contain the great ice fishing that can be expected in most of Norway but it also possesses a species of fish that had gone undiscovered up until 2005. Therefore, fishermen have the chance to continue catching fish all year round and even possess the ability to potentially see a mystery fish.

If you have been tempted to go to Norway and try this and other winter actvities, Fjord Tours offers many great tours and activites during the winter season.

Top Winter Activities

Find the ultimate winter adventures in Norway. Join exciting experiences like dog sledding, whale watching, and snowmobile tours.

See all winter activities

Winter tours

Looking for a complete winter experience? Several of our tours are available during the winter season. You can also easily add an exciting winter activity to your tour.

Norway in a Nutshell® Winter Tour

Winter magic on Norway's most popular tour

Discover breathtaking nature and one of the world's most spectacular fjords on this amazing winter experience. The Norway in a Nutshell® winter tour brings you close to stunning nature in a responsible way with emission-free transport. Ride the winter rails on two of the top train journeys in the world and cruise the snowy fjords on a quiet electric fjord cruise.

From 1600 NOK

View map

Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ Winter tour

A winter getaway on Norway's longest fjord

Cruise Norway's longest and deepest fjord, the stunning Sognefjord combined with the famous Flåm Railway. Experience beautiful scenery and cultural heritage on a relaxing winter adventure.

From 2130 NOK

View map

Winter in Norway

Winter on Stegastein viewpoint - Go Viking with Fjord Tours , Aurland, Norway

Why should you do our Norway in a Nutshell® tour during the winter?

Norway sees plenty of visitors from all over the world every year, and winter is a very popular time to visit Norway due to the snowy winter landscape and varied opportunities for snow and winter activities. On our Norway in a nutshell® tour, you can get everything that you need for a perfect winter getaway.

Winter tour on snow shoes in Raundalen - Voss, Norway

6 essential items for visiting Norway in winter

As a Scandinavian country that is over 2,500 kilometres long, Norway possesses very different kinds of weather in all four of its seasons. While the summer weather is quite warm no matter where you go, the winter can vary widely depending on your location. Therefore, it is important that you bring these essential items when coming to Norway during winter!

Things to do in Tromso - Northern light safari in Tromsø, Norway

Winter activities in Norway

If you're looking for a winter escape from home, Norway might be just the ticket. Wintertime is the perfect time to take advantage of the fantastic natural landscape in Norway and explore one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Not only does Norway offer excellent skiing conditions, but several existing winter activities are just waiting to be discovered!

Why does the sun not rise in the Winter?

There are basically two different kinds of people in the world when it comes to sunlight. Some are classified as “morning people,” which means that they absolutely love to wake up early in the morning to the warm glow of sunlight. On the flip side of the coin, their counterparts are known as “night owls,” which means that they actually prefer the evening when the sun is on its way down.