The Salmon Index Page

Nidelva, Arendal


Photo: Jan Hansen

Nidelva is one of southern Norway's largest rivers. It has it sources in Telemark and descends into the sea at three outlets around Arendal. From the sea, the salmon and sea-trout travels a good thirty kilometres up the river where further advance is obstructed by the hydropower plant at Eivinstad. From this point and far into Telemark the river and lakes contain brown trout, brookies and whitefish. The river is used for hydroelectric power production with regular intervals from the mountains in Telemark to the sea.

The salmon run of this river is mostly, perhaps all, fish belonging elsewhere. Acidification and the regulations destroyed this river. The upper Lakes of the waterfall is now being limed which, together with severe limits posed on the hydroelectric production company, could restore some of this rivers former glory.

For salmon / sea-trout fishing, the river is divided in four beats. Both season and day cards are available. As fishing is not as exclusive as the more famous rivers, the licenses are plentiful and the best parts often crowded. In 1994 the river provided a generous number of salmon and sea-trout whilst the season of -95 was less productive. Some parts of the river is very suitable for the flyfishermen that prefers to hunt the sea-trout during the night.

Licenses and more information on how to fish the river is available at the shop Jakt og Friluft A/S . Places to stay near the river is Nidelv Camping and Strand Hotel.

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Updated 1. August 1996
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