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Lyngenfjord · 69° North

Sea fishing in Norway: your Lyngen fishing holiday at Havnnes

Havnnes Handelssted stands on the southern tip of Uløya, surrounded by the Lyngen Alps and Arctic waters that hold cod, halibut, saithe and tusk. Experienced and first-time anglers alike get a self-drive, self-catering fishing holiday with more than 230 years of coastal history behind it.

Book accommodation

See the houses

Why here

Six reasons for Havnnes

  • Three fishing grounds within reach

    The mouth of Rotsundet lies outside the door, the Lyngenfjord opens up minutes away, and the outer waters around Arnøya and Vannøya are a short run.

  • Herring all year

    Rotsundet holds herring all year. The bait fish draw large predators, which is why halibut and big cod are caught here so consistently.

  • Robust Kværnø aluminium boats

    Every boat is fitted with a GPS, an echo sounder, and a chartplotter, so finding the marks is straightforward even on a first trip.

  • Houses with all an angler needs

    A filleting room, freezer storage, well-equipped self-catering kitchens and a sauna to end the day.

  • The Olav Rose

    Awarded by the Norwegian Heritage Foundation in 2014 to the northernmost preserved trading post in Norway that is still in operation.

  • The Shop

    Food, fuel, tackle and stockfish without leaving the island.

The grounds

Three grounds, three different days

One reason Havnnes works so well for sea fishing is the variety of grounds within a short run of the harbour. Three distinct fishing areas lie within reach of the rental boats, each with its own species and conditions.

  • Rotsundet

    The home grounds

    The mouth of Rotsundet is on the doorstep. It is a wide sandy bank where halibut are caught regularly around the 50 metre mark, and the year-round herring means cod and other predators are present in every season. For early mornings and short sessions, Rotsundet is hard to beat.

  • The Lyngenfjord

    20 minutes

    A short crossing of around 20 minutes takes you across to the Lyngen side of the fjord. The fjord runs deep here, and the stretch produces large tusk and redfish.

  • The outer waters: Arnøya and Vannøya

    A full day

    For a full day on the water, head out to the outer islands. The cod fishing here is the highlight of the region, and the open coastal water gives some of the best sea angling in Norway.

The species

What you can catch

  • Cod — All year, largest in the outer waters
  • Halibut — Rotsundet
  • Saithe — In good numbers across the fjord
  • Wolffish — On rocky ground
  • Tusk — Deeper water
  • Redfish — Often alongside tusk
  • Haddock — Across most grounds

The boat

Sea angling on your own terms

The fleet at Havnnes is built for safe, comfortable fishing in real Arctic conditions. Twelve Kværnø 19-foot aluminium boats are available for hire, robust and stable hulls that handle the changing weather on the Lyngenfjord with ease.

The Garmin system shows depth and fish directly beneath the boat, which makes the productive layers straightforward to find, whether you are an experienced sea angler or fishing the Lyngenfjord for the first time. The boats are simple to handle, fuel-efficient and well suited to long days on the water.

  • 19-foot Kværnø

    aluminium, built for this coast

  • Yamaha 60 or 70 hp

    four-stroke outboard with electric start

  • Garmin GPS chartplotter

    with integrated echo sounder

  • Steering console and rod holders

    in every boat

  • Two to three fuel tanks

    fuel is bought on the quay

  • Room for four anglers

    comfortable space on board

The houses

Accommodation in historic houses

Anglers staying at Havnnes have around 30 beds available across historic houses and apartments, all preserved as part of the trading post and fitted out for comfortable self-catering.

A filleting room and freezer storage are on site, so the catch can be processed and stored. After a day on the water, the sauna and hot tub are a good place to wind down.

  • Well-equipped kitchen

    for self-catering

  • Good beds

    chosen for proper rest after a long day at sea

  • Wood-burning stove

    with firewood in most of the houses

  • Grill

    for cooking the catch

  • Wi-Fi

    and modern amenities

  • Filleting room and freezer

    for the catch

See all the houses

The shop

A general store since the 1790s

Havnnes began as a trading post, and the shop still stands on the quay, the only one on Uløya. It carries food and groceries, fuel for the boat, bait and the usual tackle, and stockfish from the racks just outside.

A week here therefore needs no big shop before you set off, and whatever you find you have forgotten is usually a hundred metres away. Send us a shopping list in advance and the groceries will be in the house when you arrive. That is welcome after a long journey, and especially if you land late. Get in touch for details.

Otherwise, opening hours follow the season.

  • Food and groceries

    for the whole stay

  • Fuel

    for the boat, right by the quay

  • Bait and tackle

    line, jigs, hooks and knives

  • Stockfish

    from our own racks

  • Gas and odds and ends

    the things you find you have forgotten

  • Send a shopping list ahead

    and the groceries are in the house when you arrive

Ask about a shopping list

Through the year

When to come

  • Summer

    June–August

    The midnight sun lets you fish late into the night. Mixed-species fishing is at its most varied, with halibut active in Rotsundet.

  • Autumn

    September–October

    Settled weather, fewer visitors and excellent saithe and cod fishing. The first northern lights of the season add something to the trip.

  • Winter and spring

    November–May

    Short, atmospheric days. Boat hire is closed in this period, but the northern lights, skiing and whale safaris are available.

Regulations

Sea fishing regulations

Sea angling in Norway is open to visiting anglers in saltwater without a licence, but a few rules apply.

Fishing licence
Not required for sea fishing
Export limit
15 kg per person, from a registered tourist fishing business
Halibut closed season
20 December – 31 March
Your own boat
Norwegian law sets specific requirements for foreign visitors using their own boat

Updated 26 April 2026. The rules change, so always check the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries before you travel.

Directorate of Fisheries

Minimum sizes

How big the fish must be

Below the minimum size the fish goes back, however fine the specimen.

Cod
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Saithe
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Haddock
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Redfish
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Halibut
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Tusk
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Ling
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Halibut must meet both criteria. Tusk and ling have no statutory minimum size, but small fish should be released.

Getting here

How to reach us

Havnnes is more accessible than its Arctic position suggests. The most common route is to fly into Tromsø, which has direct connections from Oslo and seasonal flights from several European cities. The drive itself is part of the experience, winding past mountains, fjords and small fishing communities.

From Tromsø
Around 3 hours by car, plus a 10-minute ferry to Uløya
From Sørkjosen
20 minutes by car, plus a 10-minute ferry ride
Transfer
Available on request

Tell us when you book if you need transport and we will arrange it.

Beyond the boat

More than fishing

A fishing holiday at Havnnes extends easily into a wider Lyngen experience.

  • Northern lights — Sep–Apr
  • Hiking
  • E-bike tours
  • Whale safari
  • River fishing
  • Dog sledding
  • Snowmobile
  • Ski touring
  • The museum

Jon

After 13 visits, I still long to return to Havnnes, a place with spectacular scenery, the northern lights, fantastic fishing, abundant wildlife and warm hospitality that make every stay unforgettable.

United Kingdom · 13 stays

Next step

Plan your fishing holiday

Whether you are a seasoned sea angler after a trophy halibut or a group heading out on a first fishing trip in Norway, Havnnes has the boats, the grounds and the historic houses to make it a holiday you remember.

Book accommodation

Ask about a boat

Before you book

Questions we get often

Is Havnnes good for first-time sea anglers?

Yes. The Kværnø boats are stable and easy to handle, every boat is fitted with a GPS and an echo sounder, and the home grounds at Rotsundet are both productive and sheltered. Many of our guests fish the Lyngenfjord for the first time at Havnnes.

Do I need a fishing licence for sea fishing in Norway?

No fishing licence is required for visitors to fish in Norwegian saltwater. Freshwater fishing in rivers and lakes does require a permit. The person driving the boat must hold a valid boating licence.

Can I take my catch home?

Visitors fishing from a registered tourist fishing business, which Havnnes is, may export up to 15 kg of fish or fillets per person. We help with the paperwork.

What is included with the boat hire?

Each boat comes with the outboard engine, GPS chartplotter, echo sounder, fuel tanks, steering console and rod holders. Fuel and tackle can be bought on site.

Is fishing tackle available to rent or buy?

Basic fishing gear is stocked at Giæver's general store on the trading post. Most experienced anglers bring their own preferred rods and lures. A limited selection of equipment can be hired with prior notice.

When is the best time of year for halibut fishing at Havnnes?

Halibut may be retained outside the closed season, 20 December – 31 March. The summer months from June to August usually produce the most consistent halibut fishing in Rotsundet.

How do I get to Havnnes from Tromsø?

The journey is around 3 hours by road from Tromsø, plus a 10-minute ferry to Uløya. Transfers can be arranged on request.

Are there facilities for cleaning and storing the catch?

Yes. Havnnes has a dedicated filleting room and freezer storage on site, so you can process and store your catch.

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