For 2023, Orkla Fellesforvaltning has set the following rules for fishing for anadromous salmon in the Orkla River.

All fishermen must register again each year before fishing starts (Orkla card). Click here to register as a fisherman for 2023 (coming). Everyone who goes fishing in Orkla has a duty to familiarize themselves with the current fishing rules.

§ 1 Fishing time:

It is permitted to fish for salmon in the period from 1 June to August 31. Sea and brown trout are protected. All female salmon over 65 cm are protected.

§ 2 Tool use:

For catching anadromous salmon, it is only permitted to use a pole. Only one tackle per person, one line per tackle and one bait per line can be used. The gear must not be left while fishing. As bait, it is only permitted to use natural ground*), lures, spinners, flies and wobblers with a maximum of one triple hook. Fishing with shrimp or artificial ground**) is prohibited. When importing natural land into Norway, national regulations must be followed. Bait with more than a total of three single hooks or a triple hook must not be used. The distance between the hook shank and the hook tip must not be greater than 13 mm, for single hooks no greater than 15 mm. When using a fly as bait, the floating dab or the fly line should make up the casting weight. The use of sinkers is only permitted when fishing with land. When fishing with a dab, the dab should float on the surface. It is forbidden to fish in such a way that the fish is likely to be hooked. *) Natural soil = biological soil, e.g. earthworm soil **) Artificial soil = technically produced soil, e.g. Gulp

§ 3 Catch quotas:

Quota for killed salmon is a maximum of 1 per day and 4 per season. You can kill a maximum of 1 salmon (male salmon) over 80 cm per season. The quota applies to the individual fisherman and cannot be transferred to others. The daily quota is defined as the total number of salmon a person can kill during one day (00:00-24:00). When the daily quota is reached, all fishing must end until a new date day begins. The seasonal quota is the number of salmon a person can kill during a season. When the seasonal quota is reached, all fishing must end until the new season starts.

§ 4 Maximum target, Minimum target and reinstatement:

All salmon under 35 cm must be released alive. All female salmon over 65 cm must be released alive again. Winter stoing must be put out. All sea trout and brown trout must be released alive. If there is any doubt about the sex of the fish, the fish must be released alive. We request that all spawn colored salmon be released live. If there is any doubt as to whether the fish will survive a possible re-release, the fish must be killed and handed in. The fish does not go on the quota once it has been confirmed submitted. This also applies in case of misjudgment of gender. Live re-released fish are not counted in the quota. Reintroduction of fish must be done gently and in line with Orkla Community Management's guidelines.

§ 5 Catch reporting:

All fishermen who are going to fish in Orkla must have the Orkla card before they start fishing. All fish must be reported continuously to Orkla Fellesforvaltning throughout the season, including returned fish. Fishing cannot be resumed until fish caught have been reported. The catch report must contain at least the following information; date, selection, species, sex, weight, length, fisherman's name, gear and whether the fish has been killed or returned. The fisherman is responsible for the catch being reported with correct information. All catch information will be published on the salmon exchange for Orkla. Orkla Fellesforvaltning reserves the right to further use photos submitted. Photos and shell samples of all culled salmon must be submitted. By writing your mobile phone number on the shell envelope, you agree to receive an SMS from the Veterinary Institute with answers to your shell sample. Telephone numbers are not used for other purposes and are deleted at the end of the project season.

§ 6 Regulation of fishing at waterfalls, rapids and bridges:

In the period from and including 1 July and the end of the fishing season, only light fishing is permitted from Vigorbrua and out to the river/sea border. Light fishing is fishing with: a) a fly where a floating bob or the fly line makes up the casting weight, b) a mark with or without a bob. Socking is prohibited.

§ 7 Disinfection of fishing gear:

All fishing gear, nets, waders, waders, boats and the like that have been used in other waterways in the current season must be disinfected before use in Orkla. When importing fishing equipment, nets, waders, waders, boats and other equipment into Norway, everything must be cleaned and disinfected before it can be used in the rivers. A certificate that this has been carried out must be shown when renting fishing or buying a fishing licence. The certificate must be taken with you and presented at the inspection. Disinfection is free for people under the age of 18.

§ 8 Spawning stock target:

By the end of July, a mid-season evaluation must be carried out. After this, the rules can be adjusted, both in a restrictive or flexible direction.

§ 9 Penal provisions:

Violation of the rules, as well as complicity in violations may result in exclusion, a fee and a police report.

Fee for:

- missing Orkla card, photo of killed fish and shell sample is up to NOK. NOK 1,000.

- failure to disinfect, failure to report and breach of the rules in connection with tool use is up to NOK. NOK 3,000.

- quota violations and complicity in quota violations are up to NOK 6,000.

Fishing cannot be resumed until the imposed fee has been paid.

People caught for quota violations or unacceptable behavior will be expelled from Orkla for two years. In aggravating cases, the ban can be extended. Excluded fishermen are themselves responsible for refraining from fishing. If this is not complied with, the ban will be extended.

The owner/renter/card seller has a duty to provide information on the current regulations in the river, as well as to check whether the fisherman has paid the fishing fee and has a valid disinfection certificate. The venue for disputes is Trondheim Conciliation Council and/or Sør-Trøndelag District Court.

§ 10 Entry into force:

The rules come into force on 15 May 2023.