Nordmøre, Norway’s forgotten fishing paradise?

Where in Norway are we?

In the northern part of Western Norway lies Kristiansund, one of Norway’s most famous cities, situated right next to some of the most versatile and best fishing spots. The city has its own airport. The locations of our destinations make it easy to take a taxi, and even a bus from the Airport. The area is particularly appealing to those of us who thrive with a spinning rod in hand, as the waters here aren’t as deep as those found in the rest of Western Norway.

Here`s exactly why fishing enthusiasts should plan a trip there

Nothing beats catching the fish of a lifetime at a spot you discovered yourself—and then keeping it a secret from family and friends. We don’t want to take away the joy of exploring and learning about the area on your own. That being said, we’d still like to give you a few pointers for this diverse region. Around the city, we have several facilities you can visit, and the variety is vast: whether you want to stay close to the best offshore spots—yes, even the Grip Islands are easy to reach (those in the know, know)—or in the calm, weather-protected fjords. Here you’ll find the vast majority of species, as well as a wide variety of underwater geology—there’s simply something to suit everyone’s individual tastes. That is probably why travelers who have been here often return year after year.

How do the weather and wind affect you here?

One piece of feedback we at DinTur hear time and again is that the weather often plays a major role in whether you can go out to sea. It’s not uncommon for some groups to lose several days of fishing due to bad weather. The fjords around Kristiansund are well-protected from the elements and are therefore ideal for those of us who want to get the most out of our vacation!

What to expect from when fishing here

Nordmøre stands out because, within a very short distance, you can fish everything from shallow coastal rocky areas and kelp forests to steep continental slopes and deep channels leading out to the open sea. This results in an unusually diverse range of fish species. In the shallow and moderately deep areas, pollock and saithe dominate, often actively hunting around underwater ridges and reefs, while coastal cod and haddock stay along hard bottoms and transition zones. Perhaps those who hope to one day catch a haddock should consider spending a week or two in Nordmøre! Deeper down, the area is well-known for its populations of ling and tusk, particularly along steep edges and in deeper fjord arms. Further out, there is also a good supply of halibut on sandy and gravelly bottoms, as well as redfish and halibut. The combination of varied seabed structure, steady water flow, and low fishing pressure means that Nordmøre consistently delivers high quality in both species and size – not just the occasional catch.

A sea of possibilities (and we’re not just talking about fishing)

It’s not just hardcore anglers who’ll find their paradise here; families can also enjoy one of their most varied vacations here. Whether it’s a shopping trip to town with your wife and daughter, a day trip to the iconic village of Bud, or a boat trip into the scenic Kvernesfjord. In this area, no one ever gets bored! If you have time, you can explore the Grip Islands, which offer top-notch fishing as well as a chance to experience Norwegian cultural history. You can’t call yourself a Norway enthusiast without having visited the Grip Islands!

A day trip to Kristiansund, which is certainly not far from many of our destinations in the area is a must. There are plenty of sights to see here, but nature enthusiasts might be particularly tempted by the city’s mountain: Kvernberget. This is a beautiful 205-meter peak with magical views of nearly the entire city of Kristiansund (including ocean views).

A little tip from us personally

We’ve all been there: the weather is beautiful, the fishing conditions are unbeatable. But of course, that’s exactly when the family wants you to explore the area and “maybe skip fishing for just one day.” Well, here’s my tip: Drop off the family on Orøya. There they’ll find a natural swimmingpool, as well as ready-made spots to hang a hammock! Not to their liking? Why not let them explore Langøya on their own? By the way, they’ll find the most interesting store there. The best way to describe it is that they have EVERYTHING; you can spend a surprisingly long time exploring it.

What destinations does DinTur offer?

That said, who is this area best suited for? In short, anyone traveling to Norway to enjoy fishing for a wide variety of species. Its proximity to the city and to magnificent natural scenery also makes the area perfect for families.

And what do we recommend for those of you who’ve caught the Nordmøre bug? Well, we at DinTur have a variety of destinations in this area, both for offshore fishing and for those who want to enjoy a peaceful vacation deep within a typical Norwegian fjord. For offshore fishing, we recommend Vågen gård, Lysøya Sjøhus, Atlantic Fishing Lodge – Averøy, and Møst Sjøhus. For fjord fishing and quiet evenings by the campfire, we recommend: Strand Sjøfiske, Skjevlingsnes Sjøhus, Einset Seafishing, and Røttingsnesskolen. We highly recommend all of these! Feel free to read more about each destination at the bottom of this blog; here you’ll also find plenty of photos from each camp.