River Lesse in Lesse

The wild trout of Southern Norway

Southern Norway’s Wild Trout Paradise
Norway 🇳🇴
Endless waters, endless trout

From crystal-clear lakes to rushing rivers, Southern Norway teems with wild trout. The brown trout (Salmo trutta) dominates these waters, thriving alongside other salmonids like the vibrant American brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), the icy-blue Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), and the sleek common whitefish (Coregonas lavaretus). Venture into the Otra River basin, and you’ll encounter rare gems: the Bleka, a prehistoric landlocked Atlantic salmon, and the Otra’s own ‘marble trout,’ a striking brown trout variant with Balkan-inspired patterns.

A marble trout’s mesmerizing beauty

Norway’s watery abundance astounds—every stream, lake, and river pulses with life, often centered around the hardy brown trout. Southern Norway is no exception, offering postcard-perfect backdrops for anglers.

Southern Norway’s untouched fishing havens

Mix in other salmonids, and you’ve got a wild cocktail of species set against breathtaking landscapes. While Southern Norway’s trout tend to run smaller due to the region’s low-lime geology (limiting insect growth), patient anglers can still hook carnivorous giants—some tipping the scales at 4-6kg, though even a 1kg catch is a triumph.

A hefty brown trout, a rare prize

These trout aren’t picky—find them, and they’ll likely strike. Surface feeders? Occasionally. But 90% of their meals lurk beneath, so a well-placed buoyant fly can trigger heart-stopping surface explosions.

With easy access from Europe, minimal fishing pressure, and diverse waterways, Southern Norway is a fly fisher’s dream.

Featured Species
(Other species may inhabit these waters, but these stars steal the spotlight.)

• Arctic Char
• Brook Trout
• Brown Trout