Fishing Regulations 2024

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See Regulation on Fishing for Anadromous Salmonid Fish in Rivers

The following fishing periods apply (from-to):

Fishing in tributaries is not allowed except in Hagnesvassdraget.

For sports fishing, a quota of maximum 2 salmon per day is set.

The daily quota applies for the period from 00:00 to 24:00. When the quota is full, fishing must cease (to always have the opportunity to take up injured fish within the quota). If fish are released, it must be done according to the guidelines described in the guidebook published by Norwegian Salmon Rivers (see www.lakseelver.no). Note that fish should not be released if the water temperature is above 18 degrees Celsius.

It is allowed to fish with shrimp. Only a single, double, or triple hook is allowed for such fishing, and the hook must comply with the rules regarding hook sizes. The sinker must be attached to a swivel above the hook in a line with lower breaking strength than the main line. This also applies when using a sinker with bait and fly.

The fishing period for raft, trap, eel spear, and trap is from week 26 to week 31, from Monday at 6:00 PM to Thursday at 6:00 PM.

Raft: Fishing can be done with the rafts that were in use and registered with the County Governor of Vestfold in 1993. The rafts are square with a historical appearance and must be manned during fishing. Seasonal quota per raft: 500 kg. Rafts located 50–100 meters apart must have a minimum of 1/6 free passage toward the midstream line.

Trap: It is only allowed to fish with approved traps: Eide trap in Naugfossen, Grini trap in Hoggtveita, Kongsgipene, and Rauberggipene in Kjærrafossen. Seasonal quota per trap: 400 kg.

Eel spear: It is only allowed to fish with eel spear in Hoggtveita. Seasonal quota for eel spear: 500 kg.

Trap: Only approved traps can be used in Kjærrafossen and in Holmsfoss. Seasonal quota per trap: 400 kg.

Gill net (Nappegarn): It is allowed to fish with a maximum of two (2) gill nets in the watercourse. Based on the management plan, the joint management in the watercourse may determine which 2 gill nets are to fish in the season. Seasonal quota per gill net: 160 kg. The fishing period for gill net is from week 27 to week 31, one evening per week, from Wednesday at 7:00 PM to Thursday at 1:00 AM (6 hours).

All fishing is prohibited in the former Lardal municipality in the following places: 1) In Øvrehølen at Kjærrafossen from the waterfall and down to a straight line across the pool. The line is marked with a white mark on land on the eastern side of the pool and a mark on top of a large rock on the western side of the pool. 2) In Gåserudhølen at Vestfossen.

Mid-season evaluation and possible change of fishing regulations

The management group is required to conduct a mid-season evaluation as a basis for assessing restrictions/extensions in the fishing regulations. The following possible regulations based on reported catches by July 12th apply:

Action alternative 1: More than 50% below the spawning stock target:

Fishing stops.

Action alternative 2: More than 40-50% below the spawning stock target:

Introduction of an annual quota for sports fishermen for the rest of the season of 2 salmon over 3 kilos (also applies to Hagnesvassdraget). When the quota is full, fishing must cease. In addition, one week reduction in sports fishing (last fishing day down for Holmfoss will be August 1st and August 17th up for Holmfoss). Two weeks reduction in fishing with cultural-historical tools. The last fishing week will be week 29.

Action alternative 3: 10-40% below the spawning stock target:

Introduction of an annual quota for sports fishermen for the rest of the season of 2 salmon over 3 kilos (also applies to Hagnesvassdraget). When the quota is full, fishing must cease. One week reduction in fishing with cultural-historical tools. The last fishing week will be week 30.

Action alternative 4: More than 30% above the spawning stock target.

Provisions on daily quota in sports fishing and the annual quota for rafts and eel spear are lifted. Cultural-historical structures with a 400 kg quota have increased quota to 600 kg. One week longer fishing time. Last fishing day for rod fishing down for Holmfoss August 15th and up for Holmfoss last fishing day August 31st. Cultural-historical fishing until week 32.

Approved action alternatives will be published at http://lagenlaks.no/.

Catch Reporting

New regulations have been introduced that further tighten the reporting requirements and impose stricter sanctions (Regulation on Reporting Obligations and on Gear Permitted for Fishing for Anadromous Salmonid Fish).

All catches must be reported at least once a week. This is to facilitate the required mid-season evaluation. If no fish are caught, this should only be reported at the end of the season. To enforce quota regulations in sports fishing, the names of fishermen must be registered. In case of incomplete reporting, we are required to notify environmental authorities. As a general rule, they will then stop fishing in the relevant area for both the current and next season. Furthermore, the rights holder may revoke fishing permits for fishermen who do not report as required and deny them further fishing in the entire watercourse (the management group is notified and forwards the name).

The following data must be recorded for each fish:

NAME OF BEAT
DATE
SPECIES
WEIGHT
LENGTH
GEAR
FISHERMAN'S NAME
WHETHER THE FISH WAS RELEASED (R) OR NOT (C)
WHETHER A BOAT WAS USED
WHETHER A SCALE SAMPLE WAS TAKEN

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