Senja Halibut Grounds

Senja, Troms, Norway · Saltwater · Advanced

Norway's second-largest island, with steep-sided fjords and deep banks that hold very large Atlantic halibut. Serious tackle and settled weather are both essential here.

Getting there & access

Fiskeridirektoratet, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, lists halibut as a protected species for recreational fishers: fishing for it is forbidden all year south of Stad (62 degrees north), and north of Stad, which includes Senja, it is forbidden from 20 December to 20 April, for all gear. Halibut rules are reviewed often, so check the Directorate of Fisheries for the current regulations, including any gear limits, before you fish.

Access information source

Species

  • Atlantic halibut
  • Atlantic cod
  • redfish

Best times to fish

  • Summer (Jun-Sep)
  • Slack tide over the banks
  • Settled weather windows

Recommended gear

Essential

  • Heavy halibut outfit (150lb+)
  • Large shads and gummi macks
  • Flotation suit
  • Circle hooks

Optional

  • Guided boat
  • Electric reel
  • Release cradle for big fish

Regulations and requirements

  • Sea fishing is free and unlicensed in Norway
  • Halibut over 2 metres must be released; a maximum size limit applies
  • Export limit of 15kg twice yearly from registered camps only

Rules change regularly — always confirm with the relevant fisheries authority before you fish.

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