There’s something timeless about this. No motor noise, no rush — just casting into cold water while seabirds drift overhead. It’s easy, elemental, and beautifully slow. And if you catch something worth keeping, it’s often cooked up back at your lodge.
ARCTIC SEA FISHING
A relaxed half-day fishing trip on Isfjorden — catch your own Arctic cod with seabirds wheeling overhead and wild coastline all around.
About ARCTIC SEA FISHING
This small-boat fishing trip offers a peaceful way to experience life on Svalbard’s waters — rod in hand, surrounded by big sky and silence. Departing from Longyearbyen, you’ll head out into the sheltered waters of Isfjorden, an area known for cod, haddock and occasional halibut.
It’s not about deep-sea sport or fast boats. Instead, this is a simple, well-supported experience using traditional fishing gear, with a chance to cast your line from a stable deck. Often accompanied by puffins, fulmars and Arctic terns, the experience is as much about the setting as the catch.
With luck, you’ll bring back something for the table — and even if you don’t, it’s hard to beat the quiet satisfaction of a few hours afloat in one of the world’s most remote fishing grounds.
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Highlights
- Half-day fishing trip in the fjords near Longyearbyen
- Try for Arctic cod, haddock or halibut
- Excellent birdlife — puffins, gulls and kittiwakes often nearby
- A peaceful, low-effort way to experience the sea
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Hurtigruten Svalbard / Eveline Lunde
Hurtigruten Svalbard
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Anne Maanum / Hurtigruten Svalbard
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BEST TIME TO GO ARCTIC SEA FISHING
Fishing trips typically run from June through September, when waters are ice-free and conditions are safe. Calm mornings and evenings are ideal — your guide will choose the best window for each day.
BEST TIME TO GO ARCTIC SEA FISHING
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ARCTIC SEA FISHING (faqs) Need to Know
Do I need any fishing experience?
None at all. This is beginner-friendly and fully guided — rods, bait and gear are provided, along with instruction.
What might I catch?
The most common catch is Arctic cod, but haddock and sometimes halibut are also possible depending on depth and location.
How long is the trip?
Usually 2–3 hours including travel, setup and fishing time. It’s relaxed and adjusted to weather and conditions.
Do I need a fishing licence in Svalbard?
No fishing licence is required for recreational sea fishing in Svalbard’s coastal waters. Regulations are overseen by the Governor of Svalbard. For details, see
https://www.sysselmesteren.no/en/hunting-trapping-and-fishing/fishing/
What else is there to do in Svalbard?
Please follow the link below to see our other Itineraries in Svalbard,
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A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.