Ice fishing season 2022/2023

It is almost May. Despite late spring time it would be still possible to do some ice-fishing, even here around Oslo, however I have already finished the season. It was long and good and I have already some plans for the next winter. In total I visited 14 lakes, mostly in Nordmarka and Femundsmarka. 

• Nordmarka: Øvre Øyvann; Langvann; Rottungen (> 5 times); Rypetjern; Fagervann; Store Skillingen; Fjellsjøen (2x); Trehorningen
• Femundsmarka: Volsjøen (3x); Kjerrtjønna; Djupsjøen; Hammarsjøen; Rørsjøen
• Other: Kjemsjøen near Alvdal

Most days I spent on Rottungen, a beautiful lake just 30 minutes by bike from home, with a lot of nice perch and a decent chance to get nice trout as well. I got many perch there (on mormyska) and several trout > 0.5kg. 

Trout and perch from Rottungen

The biggest fish I got was this fantastic 2,2 kg (60 cm) trout that I got on Fjellsjøen. That was really big surprise for me. 

2,2 kg trout from Fjellsjøen

I was not lucky with artic char at all - I got just one nice one on Volsjøen. Next year I must explore other areas in Femundsmarka... However, both visits of Femundsmarka were fantastic and especially the trip with Louka was just amazing. 

And a few pics from around Oslo:

cycling to Rypetjern

Fjellsjøen

Fishing in shallow waters

Kjemsjøen is a lake up in the mountains in Alvdal region. It is known for its big arctic char and the best time to fish them is late in the winter season (April-Mai). I have always wanted to fish there and finally, during this Eastern holiday, I had an opportunity. We were staying in a farm cabin in nearby Haustdalen and from there, it is just 6-7 km on skies to the lake. 

The weather and snow condition were just amazing during our whole stay there (morning view from the cabin). 

First night after full moon, our little Lukas woke me up at 03:00. I used this lovely alarm and decided to ski to the Kjemsjøen early (starting before 04:00). 

Big bright moon, clear sky, no headlight needed. Skiing was OK, except 1km section from Kjemsjøsætra up to the plateau, where the snow was deep and the tracks were confusing

I aimed at being up there before sunrise and I did so. Without any local knowledge it is usually challenging to select a place to fish. But here the popular areas were obvious, as there were many holes drilled. So I just fished there, but it was little confusing, as the water was very shallow - around 1 meter. I was getting nervous, as I planned to fish only till lunch and time went fast without catching anything significant. 

Luckily, two local fishermen from Alvdal came around 08:00 and explained to me the local style. You drill a large hole in shallow water, lay down and fish while observing what is going on under the ice. The water is crystal clear there and the visibility is amazing. So I followed their advice (and used their tarp - thanks!) and for 3 hours I was watching small arctic char playing with my maggots. Unfortunately, no big fish visited my hole and I left without a catch. However, the whole experience was amazing. Next time I must bring my reindeer skin and spend a whole day up there.

The areas is just beautiful. 

View towards Haustdalen on my way back to the cabin. 

Icefishing with Mr. Louka - part II.

 Just a few more pictures of me and one video taken by Louka during our trip to Femundsmarka. 

morning on Volsjøen

on the way higher

Icefishing with Mister Louka

Most of the members of our little culinary expedition team "Warriors of the North" were unfortunately busy, so it was only Louka aka Dr. Love, very experienced ski-alpinist and patient fisherman, who joined me for 4-days ice-fishing trip. Our destination was our favorite Femundsmarka and we aimed at catching some artic char. It was his first ice-fishing experience. Here is a short photo report. 

Mandatory stop to buy selection of boller in Espa. 

First day: I decided to start on Volsjøen. It is nice lake just 3 km from the car and I know where to fish there. Using fjellski was great idea, because a scooter track up there was covered with some new snow. Of course we started early (sun rises at 6:30 = alarm at 4:30).

It was lovely cold day on the ice (-18 in the morning). Unfortunately, we were getting only very small fish. We also tested my new reindeer skin and I must say it is very useful part of the equipment!

On the way back to our camp in Elgå we encountered several huge elks, who were eating hay next to a farm. Every day their numbers increased.

Second day: A sudden change of weather (strong wind around 25-30m/s and snowing) made us to stay near the cabin. So we skied to the local shop to buy some beer and bread

and in the afternoon we skied ca 4 km along Femunden coast...

We even tried to fish there, but without any success.

Mini lighthouse at the campsite.

Third day: This was our "main day". We decided to fish in a small lake called Kjerrtjønna, located above Volsjøen in Nyrøstvola mountain area. We were hoping to catch some nice size artic char there. It was amazing trip up there, ca 6 km from the car on skies.

Here we finally escaped the forest. Volsjøen in the background. 

Louka is looking towards Femunden lake. 

Kjerrtjønna lake below, behind the trees. 

It was lot of snow on the ice, but Louka is strong. Fishing from 9:00 to 14:00 resulted in only one fish of eatable size! Unexpected... During the day, a national park ranger stopped by us (with his mini dog Pipi) and checked our fishing licenses. He was up there on his scooter to track wolverines. He said there were big fish under the ice! At 14:00 we had to leave because of strong wind. We skied down to Volsjøen and fished a few hours there, getting only one eatable fish. At least we had two fish for the dinner. 

Last day, on our way back to Oslo, we skied a few km to Rørsjøen and fished there for 4 hours. There were some bites, but again, only small fish. 

Despite the lack of fishing luck it was really great trip. We were lucky with the weather, skied ca 40 km in amazing nature and enjoyed some quality time together! Next winter again!

Icefishing trip to Elgå

Very late December might not be the best time for artic char, but why not give it a try. After long and rather challenging drive from Oslo (starting at 4:30 in freeing rain), I parked next to Hammersjøen and fished for a few hours before continuing further to Elgå to Båtstø camping.  

Instead of char, I got this nice trout (and two burbot).  

Next day, early in the morning I hiked up to Volsjøen. Under good conditions it takes about 30 minutes, but fresh snow made it tough and it took me almost an hour to reach the lake. 

and of course I aimed at fishing on the furthest side of the lake.

It was lovely cold lonely day.

I ended with one good artic char in my bag. It was too cold to eat on the lake, so on the way back to car I was not very fresh:) 

Last day, on my way back to Oslo, I stopped at Dupsjøen. It was minus 24, maggots were frozen and I got just a few small fish. 

Femundsmarka has its charm in every season and I cannot wait to come back soon.