Otra - The Great River of Southern Norway

Otra is a salmon river for about 15 kilometers up to Vigelandsfossen. The river is divided into five main zones (A zones), and three of these are further divided into subzones (B and C zones).

Fishing Licence

Annual and daily permits are sold for all A zones. B and C zones are daily permit zones with limited availability.

The river is relatively wide, and boat fishing is possible in zone 1 and zone 2. Annual and daily permits are sold for all A zones. B and C zones are daily permit zones with limited availability.

Zone 1

Zone 1 stretches from the sea to Vedbua at Eg/Påskebjerget.

The river flows calmly here, and there are good opportunities for fishing for salmon and sea trout. Fly fishing for sea trout at night can yield good catches. Fishing from the shore is

particularly good at the river mouth and along the eastern riverbank between the two city bridges. Boat fishing in this area is also attractive. Zone 1 is approximately 2 km long. Both types

of fishing should be mobile. Boats used must have visible marks from the shore (east side).

Zone 2

Zone 2 is 5.7 km long and contains many good fishing spots.

Spinners have many opportunities along the entire zone, and at Vedbua, Sødalsstrømmen, Urestrømmen, and Gillsteinen, there are good wading grounds for fly fishers.

Boat Fishing

In addition to fishing from the shore, boat permits for the association's boats can be purchased in zone 2. This allows access to good fishing spots that are not easily accessible from the shore.

The boat zone and mooring places are shown on the map and are signposted. The boat permit includes the rental of the boat as well as the right to fish for those who are in the boat.

After fishing, the boat must be moored at its designated place.

Zone 3A

Zone 3A has several popular fishing spots, and many salmon are caught in the area annually. Good spots include Haus and Glattetre. This is an area with a good flow of water and several

fine fishing spots. Follow the signage along the river. The zone has few rapids, but the river still has a good flow. The area is well suited for spinning, bait, and fly fishing.

From the suspension bridge at Haus (west side) and a bit downwards (see map), there is a dedicated fly fishing zone where only fly fishing with a fly rod is allowed (fishing with a

casting float and fly is not permitted). Parking for the area is on the east side of the suspension bridge at Haus. The area is cultivated land, and access is prohibited outside the marked fishing trails.

Zone 3B Hageodden

Zone 3B Hageodden is located in front of the nursery at Hagen down to the swimming area at Hageodden. The river has a good flow and many holding spots for salmon. The zone is approximately

300 meters long. Only three daily permits are sold in addition to the landowners' own fishing.

Zone 3C Mosby

Zone 3C Mosby is within zone 3A. A limited number of fishing permits are sold. The zone is on the west side, south of Kvarstein Bridge.

Zone 4A

Zone 4 features a varied river with rapids, pools, and calm sections. The area is suitable for fly fishing, spinning, and bait fishing. Zone 4A encompasses the areas around zones 4B Ravnås and 4C Holmane.

Zone 4B Ravnås

Zone 4B Ravnås is a daily permit zone with a maximum of 3 anglers per day. The zone is closed at times due to grazing livestock. Fishing permits cost NOK 300.

Zone 4B Ravnås lower part: Applies from the suspension bridge down to 4A. Open when the upper part is closed due to grazing livestock.

Zone 4C Holmane

Zone 4C Holmane is a daily permit zone with a maximum of 3 permits per day. Group daily permits are available. The group daily permit covers all three permits, but more anglers in a group can fish

provided only 3 are fishing at the same time. Holmane is a popular fishing spot. The river bends here, creating fine currents for salmon fishing. It can be fished with all types of gear.

Zone 5A Blue

Zone 5A Blue and 5B Red constitute the upper part of the salmon-carrying stretch of the Otra. The fishing spots in these zones are numerous, and the salmon holding spots are close together

from Ålestrømmen at the bottom to Vigelandsfossen at the top. The area is very well suited for fly fishing, but many spinning and bait fishers also have their favorite spots here. Even though

the zones are some distance from the sea, salmon are caught here as early as June. Zone 5A Blue is approximately 1 km long.

Zone 5B Red

Zone 5A Blue and 5B Red constitute the upper part of the salmon-carrying stretch of the Otra. The fishing spots in these zones are numerous, and the salmon holding spots are close together from

Ålestrømmen at the bottom to Vigelandsfossen at the top. The area is very well suited for fly fishing, but many spinning and bait fishers also have their favorite spots here. Even though the zones are some distance from the sea, salmon are caught here as early as June.

Fishing Times and Regulations

Salmon and Sea Trout: from June 1 to August 31

All anglers are required to familiarize themselves with the applicable public fishing regulations.

Please note that stricter restrictions may be imposed during the season if the status of the wild salmon population warrants it.

Fishing Fee and Permit

A valid receipt for the paid fishing fee to the state must be presented when purchasing a fishing permit for anyone over 18 years old and must always be carried while fishing. The fishing fee for salmon fishing can be purchased online here. Fishing permits can be purchased either at sales outlets or via our websites. The fishing permits are personal and non-transferable. Be aware that there is limited permit sales in some of the zones.

The fishing permit day follows the calendar date. A daily permit is therefore valid only for the date it is issued, from 00:00 to 24:00. Morning permits are valid from 00:00 to 12:00. Afternoon permits from 12:00 to 24:00.

The fishing rights holders can fish from 00:00 to 24:00 on Monday in zone 2 and 4, and on Monday and Tuesday in zone 3 and the lower part of zone 4. The river is closed from the last Saturday in August at 24:00 until the Sunday after the fishing competition. Annual permits do not apply on these days.

Minimum Size

The minimum size for salmon and sea trout is 35 cm. This means it is forbidden to kill salmon or sea trout smaller than 35 cm. Fish under the minimum size must always be released back into the water.

Allowed Equipment

Only rod and hand line fishing are permitted. The following baits are allowed: bait, lure, spinner, wobbler, and fly. To prevent the spread of diseases and parasites (including Gyrodactylus salaris), it is forbidden to fish with equipment that can be filled with water (such as sinkers, floats, and similar) in the former Vest-Agder region.

Hook Size

It is not permitted to snag fish, and therefore regulations on hook size have been introduced (the distance between the hook shank and hook point can be a maximum of 13 mm, for single hooks a maximum of 15 mm).

Number of Treble Hooks

No more than 2 treble hooks are allowed on lures/wobblers.

Number of Gear

When fishing from the shore, it is permitted to use one rod or one hand line per person. It is allowed to use up to 2 baits per rod or hand line. This means that two flies can be used on the leader, or one dropper fly above the lure. When fishing from a boat, it is permitted to use 2 pieces of equipment (rod or hand line) per boat, but only one bait per rod or hand line. Mobile fishing also applies to boat fishing.

Personal Quotas

There is a general catch limit of 2 salmon and 1 sea trout per angler per fishing day. "Salmon" also includes small salmon (grilse/tertiary).

A daily quota refers to the total number of salmon or sea trout each angler can kill in a river within a day. The daily quota is personal and cannot be transferred to others. This means that an angler who has not filled their quota within a day cannot pass the quota on to other anglers. The quota cannot be transferred to the next day either.

The quota follows each calendar date. Permits valid for less than one day do not entitle the angler to catch more than the daily quota within 24 hours.

The catch of farmed salmon does not count towards the quota, but it is the angler's responsibility to determine whether the fish is farmed or not. If it turns out that the fish is a wild salmon, it counts towards the quota. If this exceeds the quota, it is a violation of fishing regulations.

The seasonal quota is a maximum of 50 kg of salmon.

Fishing must stop for the day once two salmon have been killed.

Anglers are encouraged to release large spawning hens back into the river.

Pink salmon must be killed. Pink salmon must be reported but does not count towards personal quotas.

Fish that are released must be handled carefully and should not be taken ashore. If the fish is so damaged that it cannot be safely released, it must be killed. An angler still cannot kill more fish than the personal quotas allow.

Read more about safe release practices here.

Group Daily Permit

Available to groups of anglers who want a zone for themselves. Applies to Zone 3B Hagen, Zone 3C Mosby, Zone 4B Ravnås, and Zone 4C Holmane. The group daily permit covers the entire zone, and the group organizes the fishing as they wish. However, remember that the quotas in Otra are personal quotas. The permit buyer is responsible for issuing reporting cards to all anglers. Further information is provided on the permit.

Reporting

All catches must be reported continuously. It is not permitted to continue fishing before the killed catch is reported. Reports can be made online or via the Scanatura app. Further details are provided in the fishing brochure.

Responsibility

All activities in and along the watercourse are at your own risk.

The following guidelines apply while fishing:

Mobile fishing is carried out both from the shore and from boats.

Be considerate when fishing opposite someone. Fish to the midline if there are anglers on the opposite side of the river.

Respect nature and cultivated land.

Littering or any other behavior that causes inconvenience to others will lead to expulsion.

It is not allowed to fish from bridges.

Measures to Prevent the Spread of Diseases and Parasites

Equipment used in other watercourses must be disinfected.

All transportation of fish, water, plants, etc., from one watercourse to another is prohibited.

Do not gut fish in rivers or lakes. Blood and fish waste can contain pathogens and parasites.

Supervision

Supervision is carried out by members of Vennesla JSFF.

https://www.scanatura.no/webshop/?id=6&lang=2

salmon fishing fishing