River catch, 2011, preliminary figures

The total catch consisted of 394 tonnes of salmon and 51 tonnes of sea trout and migratory char. Compared with 2010, the increase was 3 per cent for salmon, while the two other species decreased by 8 per cent.

Average weight increased

The average weight of salmon caught, but not released, was 3.8 kg in 2011, compared with 3.3 kg in 2010. Twenty-one per cent of the salmon weighed less than 3 kg, 51 per cent between 3 and 7 kg and 27 per cent above 7 kg.

Tana at the top

Tana and its tributaries was the most important river system in 2011, with a total catch of 38.6 tonnes. This is 3 tonnes less than in 2010. Next in line were Gaula, Orkla, Bjerkreimselva and Namsenvassdraget. The ranking of the rivers is based on the total catch, including catch and release.

More catch and release

In 2011, 21 400 salmon, sea trout and migratory char were caught and released into the river again, up 8 per cent from the year before. Gaula and Orkla were the most important rivers, with catch and release of 1 655 and 1 370 fish respectively.

Finnmark was the county where most fish were released into the rivers again; in total 3 212 salmon and 897 sea trout and migratory char. Next in line were Sør-Trøndelag, Sogn og Fjordane and Vest-Agder.

Average weight for catch and release salmon was 4.3 kg and for sea trout and migratory char 0.8 kg.

Tables:

• Table 1 River catch of salmon, sea trout and migratory char. Catch from selected rivers. 2011
• Table 2 River catch of salmon, sea trout and migratory char. Catch by weight of fish and county. 2011. Kg
• Table 3 River catch and release of salmon, sea trout and migratory char. Catch by weight of fish and county. 2011. Kg