Numedalslågen
Major southern Norwegian salmon and sea-trout river, one of the country's longest, running from Numedal down through Vestfold to the sea at Larvik. A strong public-facing angling identity around Larvik, Holmfoss, Brufoss, Naugfossen, Hoggtveita, Kjærrafossen and Hvittingfoss, with good fly-fishing conditions at Brufoss. Regulation is split by reach: the lower river (mouth to Holmfoss) opens earlier than the upper river (Holmfoss to Hvittingfoss). A daily quota of one fish applies, and the season is subject to a mid-season evaluation that can extend, tighten or stop fishing. Managed by Numedalslågen forvaltningslag; beats bookable via Elveguiden, Inatur and local club/member waters. A good page should separate lower-river early season from upper-river later season.
Atlantic salmon
Lower river from mid-May once the early run enters; upper river from June; through summer with attention to water height and temperature — avoid handling/release when water is over 18°C
Methods
- •Salmon fly
- •Spey casting
- •Tube fly
- •Spinning
Recommended flies
Seasons
salmon
15 May (mouth to Holmfoss); 1 June (Holmfoss to Hvittingfoss) – 8 August (mouth to Holmfoss); 24 August (Holmfoss to Hvittingfoss)
2026 (Norske Lakseelver / Numedalslågen forvaltningslag): from the mouth to Holmfoss, normal fishing time is 15 May to 8 August; upstream of Holmfoss to Hvittingfoss, 1 June to 24 August. Daily quota 1 fish per angler; fishing day 00:00–24:00. Side-water fishing not allowed except the Hagnesvassdraget. Do not release fish if water temperature exceeds 18°C. Mid-season evaluation in mid-July: returns >30% above target can raise the daily quota and extend the season by a week; weak returns trigger annual quota restrictions; returns >50% below target stop fishing.
trout
Check locally
Resident brown trout and sea trout present; Atlantic salmon is the primary quarry.
Tactical notes
Treat the lower river and upper river as two fisheries with different opening dates, separated at Holmfoss. The lower river around Larvik fishes the early run; named fly water at Brufoss and the major lies at Kjærrafossen reward reading height and fish movement. Watch water temperature — the 18°C release threshold is a hard welfare rule here.
Regulations
Fiskeravgift (national fee) PLUS local permit required for anadromous fishing. Lower river (to Holmfoss) opens 15 May; upper river (Holmfoss–Hvittingfoss) opens 1 June. Daily quota 1 fish. Side-water fishing banned except Hagnesvassdraget. Rules subject to mid-season evaluation and may be extended, restricted or stopped.
Live conditions and predictions for this water are not yet available.