Sea Fishing in Vesterålen – Guide 2026

Vesterålen lies north of Lofoten and includes Andenes, Bø, Nyksund and Stø, with exposed coast and fjords. This guide lists eight directory entries and covers halibut, cod, saithe, wolffish, redfish and haddock. Species conditions, whale sightings, weather and boat services vary and are not guaranteed.

Last updated: 6 June 2026

The fishing village of Bleik with its long sandy beach and Bleiksøya island, Andøya, Vesterålen — Photo: Wolfgang Hägele (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Key facts

Number of camps

8 listed fishing camps

Fishing zone

North of 62°N

Top species

Halibut, Cod, Saithe, Wolffish

Guide season

June–September (broad species range)

Nearest airports

Stokmarknes Skagen (SKN), Harstad/Narvik Evenes (EVE), Andøya Andenes (ANX)

A glimpse of Vesterålen

The red lighthouse at Andenes on the northern tip of Andøya, Vesterålen — Andenes lighthouse, VesterålenPhoto: Wolfgang Hägele (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons

The revived fishing village of Nyksund in Øksnes, Vesterålen — Nyksund, VesterålenPhoto: B Ystebo (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Bleik beach and Bleiksøya seen from above, Andøya, Vesterålen — Bleik beach, AndøyaPhoto: Wolfgang Hägele (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Fishing camps in Vesterålen

Camp	Type	Boats	Species	Price from
Bleik Sea Cabins (Havhusene Bleik)	Open sea	Not verified	Halibut, Cod, Saithe	See camp
Andoy Fiske Camp	Open sea	Not verified	Cod, Halibut, Saithe	See camp
Vesterålen Kysthotell	Archipelago	Not verified	Cod, Saithe, Halibut	See camp
Lankanholmen Sjøhus	Open sea	Not verified	Cod, Halibut, Saithe	See camp
Vesterålen Rorbuer	Coastal	Not verified	Cod, Saithe, Halibut	See camp
Risøyhamn Sjøhus	Fjord	10 pcs	Cod, Halibut, Haddock	See camp
Offersøy Feriesenter	Fjord	Not verified	Cod, Saithe, Halibut	See camp
Ringstad Resort	Coastal	Not verified	Cod, Saithe	See camp

Seasonal calendar

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Cod Haddock

Polar night occurs during part of winter; dates depend on location and terrain. Plan for daylight, sea weather and boat suitability. Halibut fishing is prohibited from 20 December through 20 April.

Spring (Mar–May)

Cod Saithe Halibut · Partly closed

Days lengthen. The halibut closure lasts through 20 April, not the entire month; from 21 April area bans and other rules must also be respected. Local catch conditions vary.

Halibut: north of 62°N, all fishing is prohibited from 20 December through 20 April inclusive. 21 April is the first day outside this closure.

Summer (Jun–Aug)

Halibut Saithe Wolffish Cod Redfish · Conditions apply

Summer provides the midnight sun and long days. Sea state, weather, species conditions and closures vary; whale watching is a separate operator service.

Halibut: north of 62°N, all fishing is prohibited from 20 December through 20 April inclusive. 21 April is the first day outside this closure.

Redfish: fishing with conventional gear is prohibited north of 62°N. The exception is only for handline (juksa) from vessels under 15 m overall length, from 1 June through 31 August inclusive.

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

Cod Saithe Haddock

Days shorten. Check sea weather, boat and local species conditions. Northern lights may be seen in darkness and clear skies with sufficient activity, but are not guaranteed.

How to get to Vesterålen

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By air

Stokmarknes Skagen (SKN), Harstad/Narvik Evenes (EVE), Andøya Andenes (ANX)

⚓

Ferry

Melbu–Fiskebøl (fra Lofoten), Sortland–Risøyhamn (Hurtigruten / coastal service)

Frequently asked questions about sea fishing in Vesterålen

What sets Vesterålen apart from Lofoten for fishing?

Vesterålen and Lofoten have different geography and operator coverage, but this guide has no comparable visitor or catch data with which to rank them. Whale watching from Andenes must be booked and confirmed separately.

When is the best halibut season in Vesterålen?

This guide uses summer and autumn as indicative halibut periods. It is not a catch or size guarantee; weather, place, operator season and closures decide. Targeted fishing is closed from 20 December to 20 April.

How do I get to Vesterålen?

Stokmarknes (SKN), Evenes (EVE) and Andøya (ANX) are possible air gateways; Melbu–Fiskebøl is a possible ferry link. Flights, ferries, coastal services and driving times change, so check your date.

Can I see whales while fishing in Vesterålen?

Whales may occur off Vesterålen, and operators offer dedicated whale-watching trips from Andenes. A sighting during a fishing trip is never guaranteed; check operator, season and terms.

Planning a fishing trip to Vesterålen?

Confirm prices, boats, facilities and registration status directly before booking. SafeCamp360 offers camps in Vesterålen tools for catch data and export-quota overview.

Sea fishing regulations in Norway →