For many anglers, halibut fishing in Norway is the main reason to travel north. It is a type of fishing that requires you to find the right spot, present the bait correctly, and have equipment that can handle it when a large fish decides to run. In this guide, we go through when the season is at its best, where halibut hold, which methods and equipment work, and what sets five of our destinations apart.
Many of the tips come from our colleague Douglas Dahlberg, who has guided in Northern Norway for twelve years and seen what works and what many people get wrong the first time.
When is the best season for halibut fishing in Norway?
The main season for halibut in Northern Norway is roughly May to October, but the fishing changes throughout the season and varies between areas.
May–June: Halibut often move into shallower areas, and this is a good period for really large fish. On Sørøya, May to mid-June is considered the peak season for large halibut.
July–August: Long, bright days provide plenty of time on the water and consistent fishing, often alongside cod, saithe, and redfish.
September–October: The fish often move into shallow water again, and the chances of catching large individuals are good. The days grow shorter and the weather becomes more changeable, which can cost you some fishing days.
During March and April, most places focus on skrei fishing, and halibut become a clearer target only as spring turns into summer.
Where do halibut hold?
Finding the right area is the most important part of halibut fishing. Halibut prefer sandy and gravel bottoms, ideally combined with edges, depressions, and shoals. Steep drop-offs where shallower water at 10–20 meters meets deeper areas at 40–80 meters are especially interesting. Baitfish such as saithe and cod move there, and halibut often lie in ambush.
Straits, headlands, and places where the tide creates current are classic spots, because the current pushes baitfish over the structures. Under the right conditions, you can find fish in just a few meters of water, while other fishing takes place at 50–100 meters or deeper.
Douglas's advice is to learn the area before focusing on colors and lures. See how the current moves during both tides, study the structures, and mark spots where you get bites or see baitfish on the fish finder. "If you catch a halibut, you should almost always make the same drift again or very close to it. There are often more fish in the same area."
Methods for halibut fishing
Dead baitfish
Fishing with baitfish is one of the most effective methods when the target is large halibut. Live bait is not permitted in Norway, so the baitfish must always be dead. Whole saithe, mackerel and herring are common choices.
The rig is simple: a 400–550 gram weight, a 1.5–2 metre nylon leader of around 1.2 mm, and a size 12/0–14/0 circle hook suited to the baitfish. Follow the bottom structure on the fish finder and keep the bait a few metres above the bottom. How high you position the bait affects how visible it is to a halibut lying below and looking upward.
Jig fishing
Jigging is an effective way to cover larger areas. Large shads and jigs weighing around 200–600 grams, with paddle tails or curly tails, work well. Adjust the weight according to the depth, current and how quickly the boat is drifting. Natural colours, white and glow-in-the-dark are good choices, and Douglas often returns to bright contrasting colours with glow and glitter, especially on days when the fishing is slow.
Start at the bottom and then fish the bait upward. Bounce the jig off the bottom a few times, reel it up two to three metres, pause, and work the jig with a few short jerks. Repeat this two to three times before lowering it back to the bottom. Fish all the way up, as halibut do not always stay on the bottom and may follow the jig far up in the water before striking. The strike often comes during a movement or just as the bait stops.
Spinning
When halibut move into shallow water, it opens up the possibility of active spinning with lighter tackle. This is completely different from traditional vertical fishing, and we have written more about it in the guide spinning for halibut in Norway.
Drift fishing
The foundation of all halibut fishing is letting the boat drift with the current or wind over shallow plateaus, edges and straits. A drift of around 0.5–1 knot is a good starting point. The important thing is to present the bait in a controlled manner and maintain contact with it. If you know which way the current is flowing, you can set up the drift so that the bait passes where the fish are actually holding. Watch the fish finder, observe how the fish react, and be prepared to change the speed, depth or area if nothing happens.
Equipment for large halibut
The equipment must be able to put proper pressure on a large fish without anything giving way. This is what Douglas's favourite setup looks like:
Vertical fishing and bottom fishing
- Rod: 5.5–6 feet, 30–50 lbs or 400–500 grams. Douglas's favourite is the Jigstar Phantom 5.7 feet 150–500 g
- Reel: powerful conventional reel with capacity for around 300 metres of line, such as the Maxel Transformer F60
- Line: 0.40–0.42 mm braided line
- Leader: 1.0 mm for the mainline connection and 1.2 mm on the baitfish rig
- Bottom fishing: 500–550 gram weights and BKK Monster Circle 12/0–14/0
Spinning
- Rod: 7–8 feet, casting weight 120–150 grams
- Reel: Shimano Saragossa 8000HG
- Line: 0.38 mm braided line and 1.0 mm leader
Lures that are often included
- Halibandit 365 g Midnight Glow with curly tail
- Savage Gear 4D Herring Big Shad 560 g Glow Haddock
At all our destinations, you can rent fishing equipment and a flotation suit if you do not want to bring everything from home.
Five destinations for halibut fishing in Norway
Halibut fishing can look quite different depending on where you go. At some destinations, much of the focus is on targeted halibut fishing, while at others you have your own boat and plan your days according to the weather and conditions. Here are five of our destinations: Camp Halibut on Sørøya, Frovåg on Senja, Loppa Havsfiske in Nuvsvåg, Risøyhamn on Andøya and Nappstraumen in Lofoten.
Camp Halibut, Sørøya – complete focus on halibut
The name already says something about what Camp Halibut is all about. You mainly come here to spend plenty of time targeting halibut, and you can book guides who know the area and the fishing. This allows you to work methodically with fishing spots, drifts and presentation depending on the day's conditions.
There is also the opportunity to fly fish for halibut, adding a completely different dimension to the fishing. If you want a change of pace, the area also offers cod and skrei, saithe, redfish, plaice and ling.
See the fishing trip to Camp Halibut
Frovåg, Senja – halibut and varied sea fishing
In southern Senja lies Frovåg, where halibut is an important part of the fishing but far from the only species. There are also cod, saithe, wolffish and plaice, making Frovåg interesting for a group that wants to vary its fishing during the week.
June to August is an interesting period for halibut, and in September the fish move into shallower areas, opening up opportunities for more active spinning. After fishing, the camp offers a sauna, jacuzzi, bar and a small fishing shop, and you can choose between self-catering and meal packages.
View the fishing trip to Frovåg
Loppa Havsfiske – small camp and close to the fishing
Loppa Havsfiske is located in Nuvsvåg, with steep mountains surrounding the camp and several types of sea fishing within a short distance. One day, you can look for halibut in shallower areas, and the next, head for deeper water in search of redfish.
The camp is smaller than several of the larger Norwegian sea-fishing camps, giving the trip a more personal feel. The fjord is relatively sheltered and can offer more options when weather makes fishing farther out difficult. The journey goes via Alta, followed by travel by car or bus and ferry.
View the fishing trip to Loppa Havsfiske
Risøyhamn, Andøya – your own boat and great freedom
In Risøyhamn, you have your own boat and accommodation and decide for yourselves what your fishing days will look like. It is well suited to those with experience of sea fishing who appreciate the freedom to choose the fishing spot, method and species according to the conditions of the day. Halibut are caught, among other methods, with jigs over shallower areas, and there are also redfish and plaice.
View the fishing trip to Risøyhamn
Nappstraumen, Lofoten – shallow-water halibut fishing
Nappstraumen combines targeted halibut fishing with the varied sea fishing that Lofoten is known for. Some of the fishing takes place at depths of less than 25 metres, and when halibut move into shallow water, this opens up opportunities for active spinning. During March and April, the focus is on skrei, while halibut become more prominent from late spring onwards.
You have six full days of fishing and your own boat, while the camp has Swedish-speaking guides. Read more in our guide to sea fishing in Nappstraumen and in the guide to halibut fishing in Lofoten.
View the fishing trip to Nappstraumen
Which type of halibut fishing suits you?
It is better to start with how you want to fish than to look for a place that is best at everything. If you want to spend much of the trip targeting halibut, Camp Halibut is an obvious choice. Frovåg offers more flexibility to switch between halibut and other species and combines the fishing with comfortable accommodation. Loppa is a good fit if you appreciate a smaller camp and short distances to different types of fishing. At Risøyhamn and Nappstraumen, you take on more responsibility yourselves, with your own boat and plenty of freedom, while Nappstraumen also offers the chance to fish for halibut in shallow water.
You can find more destinations and trip options in our guide to fishing in Norway.
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Frequently asked questions about halibut fishing in Norway
Where in Norway can you fish for halibut?
We offer trips to destinations including Sørøya, Senja, Loppa, Andøya and Lofoten, where halibut is one of the main target species. The fishing and the setup vary between destinations.
When is the best time to fish for halibut in Norway?
The main season is roughly from May to October. May and June are good for large fish in shallower areas, summer offers consistent fishing, and in September and October halibut are often found in shallow water again.
How deep do you fish for halibut?
It varies considerably. Under the right conditions, the fish can be found in just a few meters of water, while other fishing takes place at depths of 50-100 meters. Steep drop-offs where depths of 10-20 meters meet 40-80 meters are often good spots.
What is the best bait for halibut?
Dead baitfish such as saithe, mackerel or herring, and large jigs or shads weighing 200-600 grams, are the most common. Live bait is not permitted in Norway.
What equipment is used for halibut fishing?
For vertical fishing, use a short, powerful 5.5-6-foot rod rated for 30-50 lb, a multiplier reel with around 300 meters of 0.40-0.42 mm braided line and a 1.0-1.2 mm leader. For spin fishing, use a 7-8-foot rod with a casting weight of 120-150 grams.
Can you spin fish for halibut?
Yes. When halibut move into shallow water, you can actively fish with spinning tackle. Nappstraumen and Frovåg in September are two examples.
Do you need a guide for halibut fishing in Norway?
Not always. At several destinations, you have your own boat and fish independently, but a guide can be booked at all of them. If it is your first time in Northern Norway, a guide can make a big difference.
How much halibut can you bring home from Norway?
Halibut is included in the fish export quota, which is 15 kg per person in 2026 and 10 kg from January 1, 2027, at most twice per year. Read more in our guide to fishing in Norway.