Salmon Fishing in Trøndelag – Rivers near the Trondheim Fjord
Gaula, Orkla, Skauga and Stjørdalselva – fishing, management and access for all levels
Central Norway's salmon paradise near Trondheim
The Trondheim Fjord is surrounded by some of Norway's most productive salmon rivers. Gaula, Orkla, Stjørdalselva and Verdalselva all flow into the fjord – each with its own fishing character, its own regulations and its own named pools with history and tradition. For guests at Hindrum Fjordsenter in Vanvikan, these rivers are within reach for a day trip – with the Trondheim Fjord as both starting point and return.
Five rivers – five different fishing experiences
Orkla and Gaula draw experienced sport fishers from around the world. Stjørdalselva and Verdalselva are accessible and well organised, with short distances from Trondheim. Skauga – the small salmon river in Rissa just 25–30 min from Hindrum – offers a quiet and close fishing experience without crowds. Between river seasons you will find sea fishing in the Trondheim Fjord right on the doorstep. Below you will find an overview of fishing, management and access for each river.
Gaula
One of Norway's most celebrated salmon rivers – known for large salmon, free-flowing unregulated water and over 150 years of sport fishing tradition in Trøndelag.
Geography and course
- Source and mouth: Starts at Gaulhåen in Holtålen and flows into Gaulosen by the Trondheim Fjord, between Melhus and Trondheim.
- Length: 152.8 km – with 120 km of salmon-bearing water, one of the longest in Norway.
- Undammed: Gaula is not regulated for power production – the river flows freely from mountain to fjord, giving natural variation in water level and habitat quality.
Salmon fishing and catches
- Season: 1 June – 31 August. July is peak season for numbers. Early June gives the best chance at large salmon – 7–20 kg is normal.
- Gaulfossen: Natural migration barrier at high water early in the season. Beats below the falls fish best in June; above from mid-June.
- Catch: Normally 3,000–6,000 salmon per season. In 2020, 29.3 tonnes were caught – fourth best river in Norway.
- Fishing licence: Purchased via Elveguiden, distributed across beats along the entire river.
Best fishing spots
- Støren area: Middle section of the river – known for productive pools including Sanden, Helgemo, Evjen and Vollan. Fish hold here throughout the season.
- Gaulfossen: The pools immediately below the falls concentrate fish early in the season. Easy to reach from Støren.
- Winsnes and Rognes: Historic beats with named pools – Stadion at Rognes has a high catch rate and is well suited to fly fishing.
- Google Maps: Search for fishing spots on Gaula
Management and access
- Protected status: Protected against hydropower development through Conservation Plan III (1983).
- River owners: Gaula Elveierlag – approx. 680 rights holders. NFC (Norwegian Flyfishers Club) manages some of the best beats.
- Size limits and rules: Salmon over 65 cm must be released. All catches registered via Elveguiden Gaula Laksebørsen within 6 hours.
- Reduced quotas: Gaula is among the Trøndelag rivers that received adjusted quotas from the Norwegian Environment Agency from 2025 due to declining wild salmon stocks. Check updated rules at elveguiden.no before the season.
- Access: Drive to Støren (approx. 1 hour from Trondheim) – most of the best beats are reachable by car from here.
- More info: Gaula at lakseelver.no
Orkla
A salmon paradise in the Orkla valley – with 88 km of salmon-bearing water, large salmon from the first week of the season and fishing opportunities for all from Orkanger to Rennebu.
Geography and course
- Source and mouth: Starts at Lake Orkelsjøen in Oppdal (1,058 m above sea level) and flows into Orkdalsfjorden at Orkanger.
- Length: 181.9 km – with 88 km of salmon-bearing water from Stoi'n in Rennebu to the sea.
- Regulated: Five hydropower plants were built between 1978 and 1985. Regulation provides stable water levels in dry summers, but certain beats are closed to salmon fishing.
- Tributaries: Inna, Byna, Grana and Resa are among the most important.
Salmon fishing and catches
- Season: 1 June – 31 August. Large salmon (over 10 kg) are most often taken in the first weeks of June. Mid-June brings medium salmon (3–7 kg); from July, smaller salmon are present throughout the river.
- Catch: Normally around 25 tonnes per season – Orkla regularly ranks among Norway's three best salmon rivers.
- Record salmon: Largest recorded fish is 25 kg.
- Fishing licence: Purchased via Elveguiden. The Orkla card is mandatory for all – renewed every year before the season starts.
Best fishing spots
- Bårdhaugbrua and Fannrem: The lowest kilometres – attractive early in the season when tidal influence affects fishing. Forvehølen and the Eriksen beat at Fannrem are among the most popular in the entire river for large salmon.
- Kanalhølen, Svorkmo: 18 km from the sea – one of Orkla's most productive beats, with fishing on both banks and easy access.
- Johølen, Svorkmo: Well-regarded pool with a cabin and strong catch statistics.
- Meldal section: Between Svorkmo and Meldal – many attractive beats with pools and rapids, well suited to fly fishing.
- Google Maps: Search for fishing spots on Orkla
Management and access
- Management: Orkla Fellesforvaltning – cooperation between Orkla JFF and Meldal JFF. All catches must be reported continuously, including released fish.
- Orkla card: Mandatory registration card – renewed every year. Catch report must include date, beat, species, sex, weight, length and gear.
- Quotas 2026: Normally 1 salmon per season. Can be extended to 3 male salmon over 65 cm after mid-season evaluation 1–2 July if spawning stock exceeds 130% of target. Quota breach results in 2-year ban and a fine of NOK 6,000.
- Smolt improvement: Guide fence at Bjørsetdammen completed in 2025 – significantly reduces smolt mortality at Svorkmo power plant.
- Access: Orkanger is 30 min from Trondheim via E39. Svorkmo and the Meldal beats are 18–30 km further south along the river – good roads throughout.
- More info: orklaguide.com
Skauga
A fine small salmon river in Rissa, Indre Fosen – with 13 fishing zones, fishing shelters along the bank and easy access from the main road. Approx. 15–20 min from Hindrum Fjordsenter.
Geography and course
- Location: Rissa in Indre Fosen municipality, Trøndelag. The river flows westward toward the Trondheim Fjord and runs parallel to the main road for most of its length – easy access to most of the course.
- Character: A fine small salmon river – sheltered but never far from the road. Scenic and peaceful. Not a large-river experience, but excellent opportunities for a memorable fishing trip.
- Facilities: Fishing shelters along the river. The Fossbrottet zone is wheelchair accessible.
Salmon fishing and rules
- Season: 15 June – 15 August. Shorter season than the major rivers – plan accordingly.
- Quotas: Season quota 10 salmon, daily quota 1 salmon. Minimum size 35 cm. Spawning-coloured salmon must be released.
- Sea trout: Protected – must be returned alive regardless.
- Gear: Rod with one line and one bait. Permitted: natural worm, spinning lure, spinner, fly and wobbler. Sinker only when fishing with worm.
- Fishing licence: Purchased directly from landowners on individual beats, or from Sport 1 Rissa, Rådhusveien 6 (tel: 73 85 22 33). Map and licences also via lakseelver.no.
Fishing zones
- 13 named zones: Dyrendahl, Aunbrua, Seterbrua, Furuseth, Nedre Foss, Breigjerdet, Solem, Rokseth, Fossbrottet, Skalmerås, Bestvold, Skaugdal and Melhus.
- Fossbrottet: Wheelchair accessible zone – suitable for anglers with reduced mobility.
- 2026 update: Agreed trigger flood for the season and updated fishing rules from 15 June – check lakseelver.no/skauga before the season starts.
- Google Maps: Search for fishing spots on Skauga
Management and access
- Management: Skauga Elveierforening – organised through Norske Lakseelver. Fishing is managed by individual landowners per beat.
- Disinfection: Mandatory for all fishing equipment. Disinfection stations are located along the river – check lakseelver.no for an updated list.
- Proximity to HFS: Approx. 15–20 min drive from Hindrum Fjordsenter via Leksvik – a natural half-day trip for guests in the area.
- Access: Good road along the entire river. Parking available at most zones.
- More info: Skauga at lakseelver.no
Stjørdalselva
One of Trøndelag's most accessible salmon rivers – renowned as an excellent fly fishing river with 55 km of salmon-bearing water, large salmon and over 150 years of sport fishing tradition.
Geography and course
- Source and mouth: Starts near the Swedish border in Meråker and flows westward to the Trondheim Fjord at Værnes in Stjørdal.
- Length: Approx. 70 km – with 55 km of salmon-bearing water from Nustadfoss in Meråker to the mouth.
- Tributaries: Forra (13 km salmon water), Sona (6 km), Gråelva, Funna and Dalåa. Forra is particularly beautiful and recommended for morning trips.
- Character: Easy to read – alternating short rapids and interesting pools. Well sized for fly fishing from the bank throughout the entire course.
Salmon fishing and catches
- Season: 1 June – 31 August. Early season brings large salmon (6–15 kg, some over 20 kg). Best fly fishing in July and August at lower water levels.
- Catch: 12.3 tonnes of salmon in 2020 – among Norway's ten most productive rivers. Tidal influence affects fishing in the lowest kilometres and brings fresh fish upstream.
- Fishing licence: Purchased via Elveguiden. The Stjørdal card (NOK 100) is mandatory for all and must be obtained before buying a beat licence. SJFF offers approx. 40 beats over 20 km – half open to the public.
Best fishing spots
- Hegra area: Hembre Gård, Hjelseng and Hembresøren – some of the river's most productive beats. In 2020, 200 kg of salmon were taken from Hembresøren alone in the first four weeks. Fly and spinning lure only.
- Ersgard (6 km from the mouth): Affected by tidal flow – each tide brings fresh fish. Suitable for all gear types.
- Flora/Flornes: Mølskhølen and Nebbhølen are recognised fly fishing spots. Fish from the south bank.
- Downstream of Hegra bridge: The only stretch where worm fishing is permitted.
- Google Maps: Search for fishing spots on Stjørdalselva
Management and access
- River owners: Stjørdalsvassdragets Elveeierlag – approx. 140 rights holders. SJFF manages approx. 40 beats over about 20 km of river.
- Rules 2026: Daily quota 1 salmon. Large salmon quota can be extended from 1 to 3 after mid-season evaluation. Female salmon over 3 kg protected in August. Worm fishing prohibited in August. Sea trout protected – must be returned. All catches reported on elveguiden.no within 24 hours. Farmed salmon and pink salmon must be killed but do not count toward the quota.
- Access: Verdnes/Stjørdal is 15 min from Trondheim Airport Værnes. The Hegra area is 30–40 min from Trondheim city centre via E14. Good road connection along the entire river.
- More info: Stjørdalselva at lakseelver.no
Verdalselva
A nationally protected salmon river – known for large salmon, legendary fishing pools and peaceful surroundings in the Verdal valley on Innherred.
Geography and course
- Source and mouth: Formed where Helgåa and Inna meet at Vuku, flowing 21 km into the Trondheim Fjord at Verdalsøra.
- Salmon-bearing water: Approx. 53 km in total – the main river from Vuku to the sea, Inna up to Dillfossen (3 km) and Helgåa up to Granfossen (22 km).
- Protected status: Protected against hydropower development (Conservation Plan 2005) and classified as a national salmon river since 2007.
- Character: Calm river – the gradient is so gentle that tidal influence extends almost 3 km upstream from the sea. Well suited to fly fishing, particularly in the middle and upper sections.
Salmon fishing and catches
- Season: 1 June – 31 August. Early season gives the best fishing on worm and spinning lure at high water. Later in summer – particularly July and August – fly fishing is at its best.
- Catch: 2.8 tonnes in 2020. Largest recorded salmon is 129 cm. Record season was 2000 with nearly 11 tonnes.
- Fishing licence: Purchased via Elveguiden or Inatur. The disinfection card (NOK 150) is mandatory and must be obtained before fishing starts. Season quota: 2 salmon – both under 65 cm until 1 July.
Best fishing spots
- Vukufossen: Salmon rest here on their way upstream – one of the river's most reliable spots early in the season. Østnes Camping (Austnes Salmon Lodge) is located right beside it.
- Blåmelhølen, Austnes: Legendary large salmon pool that has produced fish for generations – exclusive beat with cabin, fishing on both banks.
- Verdalslaks – Holmli, Lyng, Haga, Hynne: Four km of some of the best beats in the main river.
- Above Granfossen, Helgåa: 20 km of fishing with a season 14 days longer than the rest of the catchment. Particularly well suited to fly fishing.
- Google Maps: Search for fishing spots on Verdalselva
Management and access
- Management: Verdalselva Fellesforvaltning and Verdal JFF (VJFF) – 27 beats distributed along the entire catchment. All beats signposted from RV 72 (south bank) and county road 757 (north bank). Good road access to most beats.
- Disinfection card: Mandatory – NOK 150, purchased at elveguiden.no or locally. Fine for non-registration: NOK 2,000. Fishing rules valid 2026–2028.
- Rules: Season 1 June – 31 August. Mid-season evaluation 1–4 July. One rod per angler. Fishing within 70m of Granfoss, Grunnfoss, Dillfoss, Kvernfossen, Voldenfossen, Skjækerfossen, Kløftåsfossen and Østnesfoss is prohibited.
- Water level: Below 10 m³/s (Grunnfoss gauge) only light fishing is permitted. The river can be closed at low and warm water – check verdalselva.no before travelling.
- Access: Verdalsøra is approx. 1 hour north of Trondheim via E6. Vuku and the best middle beats are 15 km east of E6. Transfer from Værnes can be arranged via Austnes Salmon Lodge.
- More info: Verdalselva at lakseelver.no
Planning to fish the fjord between river seasons? See which fish species you find in the Trondheim Fjord – with characteristics, habitats and minimum size limits. Or look up fish names A–Z – names in Norwegian, English, Latin and German for species from fjords, the Atlantic and the Arctic.