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Rules for tourist fishing in Norway

Foreign tourists may sea-fish in Norway with hand-held gear without a fishing licence, but minimum sizes, protected species and local restrictions still apply. A business must register when it meets the Directorate's tests: VAT registration, at least NOK 50,000 in annual sea-fishing tourism revenue, and at least one vessel for rental or organised fishing trips.

Current Rules

Effective from 2026-01-01

Current rules for tourist fishing in Norway: 1. Fishing licence: Sea fishing for tourists does not require a licence. Freshwater fishing (salmon, trout, char) requires a fishing card and potentially a fishing fee. 2. Registration of tourist fishing businesses: Registration is mandatory for a business that is VAT-registered, earns at least NOK 50,000 per calendar year from sea-fishing tourism, and has at least one vessel for rental to fishing tourists or for taking tourists fishing. Smaller businesses with a vessel and tourism-fishing revenue may register voluntarily. 3. Permitted gear: Foreign tourists may use only hand-held gear such as rod and handline; they may not use nets, longlines, pots, or traps. Norwegian residents are subject to separate recreational-fishing gear limits. 4. Catch reporting: Registered tourist fishing businesses are obligated to report catch data to the Directorate of Fisheries. 5. Minimum sizes and closed seasons: Deliberately targeting undersized fish is prohibited. Viable undersized fish must be released; dead or clearly non-viable incidental catch may be kept for personal consumption but not sold. 6. Export quota (2026): Max 15 kg of fish or fish products per person aged 12+, up to twice per calendar year. The traveller must both fish and stay through a registered tourist fishing business and carry individual documentation.

Who does this apply to?

Foreign tourists engaged in recreational sea fishing in Norway, plus tourist fishing businesses that must or choose to register. Norwegian residents have different gear rules.

How to comply

  1. 1

    Choose a registered fishing camp

    To qualify for export in 2026 (15 kg per person aged 12+), you must both fish and stay through a tourist fishing business registered with the Directorate of Fisheries. Registered businesses must inform guests about the current rules.

    • Look up the camp in the Directorate of Fisheries' public register of tourist fishing businesses.
  2. 2

    Learn the local regulations

    Rules for minimum sizes, closed seasons, and special restrictions vary between different zones along the Norwegian coast. Ask the fishing camp about current regulations for the area where you will be fishing.

    • The Directorate of Fisheries' website has detailed maps of zones and minimum sizes.
    • Download the Directorate of Fisheries app for updated information while at sea.
  3. 3

    Use legal fishing gear

    Foreign tourists may fish with hand-held gear such as rod and handline. They may not use nets, longlines, pots, or traps. Some species have stricter gear restrictions.

  4. 4

    Release undersized fish

    Do not deliberately target undersized fish. Release viable fish carefully; dead or clearly non-viable incidental catch may be kept for personal consumption.

    • Keep a measuring board on board for quick minimum size checks.

Consequences of non-compliance

Intentional or negligent breaches of the harvesting regulation may be punishable under the laws it cites; authorities determine the specific sanction.

Deliberately targeting fish below the minimum size may be punishable.

For an unlawful export, all fish or fish products being taken out may be seized, and the violation may be penalised.

The Directorate of Fisheries states a standard fine of NOK 8,000 plus NOK 200 per kilogram for fish smuggling.

Upcoming changes

From 2027-01-01

From 1 January 2027, the export quota is reduced to 10 kg per person.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a fishing licence to fish in the sea in Norway?
No, sea fishing in Norway is free and does not require a fishing licence for tourists. You do not need any special permit. However, freshwater fishing (rivers and lakes) for salmon, trout, and char requires a fishing card and payment of a fishing fee.
What fish species can I catch as a tourist in Norway?
You may fish for most saltwater species with rod, handline, and jig, including cod, saithe, haddock, halibut, wolffish, redfish, pollack, and many more. Some species have minimum sizes and closed seasons that must be observed. Certain species, like lobster, have their own specific rules.
What does it mean that a fishing camp is "registered"?
A registered tourist fishing business appears in the Directorate of Fisheries register. Registration is mandatory when it is VAT-registered, earns at least NOK 50,000 a year from sea-fishing tourism, and has at least one vessel for rental or fishing trips. Smaller qualifying businesses may register voluntarily. Registered businesses report catches and inform guests.
Can I fish from shore without being affiliated with a fishing camp?
Yes, you may freely fish from shore with rod and handline without any form of registration or fishing licence. The same minimum size and closed season rules apply. Note that fish caught outside a registered tourist fishing business cannot be exported.

Source

Source

Main tourist fishing regulation page from the Directorate of Fisheries. (accessed 2026-08-03)

Lov om turistfiskevirksomheter (Tourist Fishing Business Act). (accessed 2026-03-08)

Registration requirements for tourist fishing businesses. (accessed 2026-08-03)

Find a fishing camp

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Related guides

Species and fishing calendar →All fishing regions →

Regulations and quota information sourced from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. Rules may change — always verify current rules at fiskeridir.no.