Freestone · Sandstone · Latvia / Vidzeme (Gauja National Park / Valmiera)

Gauja (Valmiera County)

Gauja (Valmiera County) terrain map
Terrain map

Latvia's longest river carves a scenic valley through Devonian red sandstone in Gauja National Park.

Species

Closed season

Season reopens 15 August. File this water for the right month.

Closed — confidence not applicable today.
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
8°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature6130% weight
  • Flow6025% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
8.3°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
12°C
Wind
NW 6 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1010 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
0.7 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Sea trout runRun
1
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • General fishing card plus the specific licensed Gauja salmonid permit required in the designated zones
  • The published fishery is for taimiņš (Salmo trutta / sea trout) with spinning or fly fishing using artificial bait during daylight hours
  • Check the current zone, municipality, and reporting rules before travel.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

Latvia's longest river carves a scenic valley through Devonian red sandstone in Gauja National Park. In practical regulated-fishing terms, the strongest current public evidence is for licensed Salmo trutta fishing on the Gauja in designated Valmiera County sections rather than for a broad salmon-destination reading of the whole river. The sandstone geology gives the river a softer, less alkaline character than limestone waters.

  • Sandstone
Seasons & zones
  • Sea trout1 January → 30 April
Other water nearby · 4
Booking & contacts