The Røssåga River winds through large parts of the municipality and is today a very good trout and salmon river. In the old days, when English lords fished here, you could catch salmon weighing over 25 kg, and the river can still offer the occasional big catch. However, most salmon caught are between 5 and 15 kg, while trout are usually between 2 and 10 kg.
The river is excellent for rod/fly fishing. The tributary Leirelva is also a good trout and salmon river. To fish in these waterways, you must have paid a fishing fee, a local fishing license, and be able to show a disinfection certificate.
Tools
Only flies and lures are legal gear. Some landowners also allow ground fishing, only with circle hooks. Fishing with other bait is prohibited in the salmon-bearing part of the river. To reduce damage to fish that are to be released, fishermen are encouraged to only use circle hooks, and possibly double hooks where the barbs are clamped in.
Re-release
All unharmed salmon over 65 cm, in addition to all unharmed whole salmon regardless of size, must be released. Tips: measure 65cm on the fishing rod and mark with tape, so you can easily measure the fish.
It is not always possible to release fish again. If you see that the fish is injured in any way and may not be able to survive, the fish must be killed. You must then immediately notify the owner of the catch by text message, who will then also receive the fish. If the owner of the catch is not present, the fish can be placed in a freezer at Korgen Camping. The catch must of course be registered in the ordinary way. Injured salmon that are killed in this way and returned do not count towards your daily quota.
Quota – stricter rules have been introduced by the Norwegian Environment Agency, and a total quota for the watercourse has been set at 20 harvested salmon. As a result, our rules have been changed to the following:
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- Seasonal quota: 2 killed male salmon under 65cm (Korgen Camping also includes trout in its quota.)
- Daily quota: 1 killed male salmon under 65cm (Korgen Camping also includes trout in its quota.)
- If a fish over 65cm is killed as a result of injury, it must, as mentioned, be handed in to the owner of the fishing net and does not count towards your personal quota. However, if you have injured and killed 2 fish in one day, fishing must be stopped until the next fishing day.
- When re-releasing, you can continue fishing, but if you have released 2 fish in one day, fishing must be stopped until the next fishing day.
We urge everyone to exercise moderation when it comes to catching this year, so that as many people as possible can take part in fishing for salmon throughout the season.
From August 2024, a night closure has been introduced for all fishing from 00:00 to 06:00 every night except for the opening night on July 1st.
Sale of fishing licenses
Fishing licenses are sold online: www.elveguiden.no
Korgen Camping has its own fishing area with its own fly zone. Max 6 fishermen in the fly zone. Prices and info can be found at riverguiden.no and the korgen-camping.no.
Røssåga Fishing Association administers its own fishing grounds, open only to members who live in the municipality.
Supervision and control
Supervision personnel will be able to assist with catch and release and should be contacted if you have any questions or need assistance.
Phone numbers that can be used: Snorre 909 95 945 – Gry 951 21 151 – Jonas 974 01 773 – Ståle 940 11 592 – Hamza 948 43 221 – Geir Morten 918 57 265
Reporting
All catches, both killed and released, in addition to zero catches MUST be registered. The report form, which can be found on Elveguiden.no, MUST be filled out continuously after fishing.
Protocols for the introduction of catches are posted at the ports managed by the fishing association.
Failure to report may result in a refusal to fish in Røssåga/Leirelva next season. The landowner is primarily responsible for ensuring that reporting is carried out, and where this is not followed up, the river may be closed to fishing.
Gyro and disinfection
Røssåga was treated with rotenone in 2003 and 2004. The river is now declared free of the parasite, and we must do everything we can to prevent the parasite from returning.
All fishing equipment must therefore be disinfected. A disinfection station is located at the reception at Korgen Camping. Follow the guidelines posted there, or contact the staff. A disinfection certificate will be received after all equipment has been disinfected.
Shell and otolith samples
It is very important that shell and otolith samples are taken from all killed salmon. These samples are important for research into which measures work and which do not, and can be crucial to ensuring a good and sustainable river in the future.
Since many people may experience difficulty taking otolith samples, it is possible to cut off the fish's head, put it in a bag and deliver it to Huset Kafe og motell, or to Korgen Camping. Then knowledgeable people will ensure that the otoliths are removed. NB: Shell samples are placed in their own envelope and should always accompany the fish head.
ps! It is very important that it is recorded whether the salmon has been fat-trimmed, and that this is checked on the report form, whether this is done via the web or on a paper form.
As far as possible, envelopes for shell samples and otoliths will be provided when purchasing a fishing license. Envelopes are also left at the Røssåga Fishing Association embankment, in the gap at Korgen Camping's fly zone and at the reception/disinfection station at the campsite.
Dirty fishing!
