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Atlantic Salmon fishing

Salmo salar

About Atlantic Salmon

The king of game fish. Runs up rivers in summer and takes against the current. The run peaks through June and July, and a fish that has left the sea is not feeding, so a take is a reaction rather than a meal. Work a fly or a lure across and down through the holding water and cover it slowly and repeatedly. Read the local rules first: most salmon rivers have quotas, closed stretches and reporting duties.

Typical size: Often 3-10 kg, big salmon over 15 kg. Record (approx.): ≈ 25 kg.

Season, time and habitat

Best season
Jun-Aug
Best time
Dawn, dusk
Habitat
River, Coast
Season by month

Darker cell = more active that month. Based on the species' usual yearly rhythm.

Lures and baits that work

Fly Present the fly on a fly line, dry on top or wet below. Mend the line, stay in contact and strike on the light take. Check price on Amazon
Spoon Cast out and retrieve at a steady pace so the spoon flashes and wobbles. Vary the speed and let it flutter down between turns. Check price on Amazon
Crankbait Retrieve so the plug dives and wobbles. Add pauses and twitches to trigger strikes, or troll it behind the boat. Check price on Amazon
Trolling Pull lures behind a slow-moving boat, often with downriggers or planer boards for depth. Cover water to find the fish. Check price on Amazon

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Waters where Atlantic Salmon bites

Open a water for live weather, water temperature and today's odds.

Guides about Atlantic Salmon

Find waters where Atlantic Salmon is biting now

Common questions

When is the best time to catch Atlantic Salmon?

Atlantic Salmon fishing is usually best around Jun-Aug. The best windows in the day are usually dawn, dusk.

What lures and baits work for Atlantic Salmon?

Effective methods for Atlantic Salmon include Fly, Spoon, Crankbait and Trolling.

Where can you catch Atlantic Salmon?

Atlantic Salmon is most often found in river, coast. Napp shows the nearest waters and the live odds on the bite right now.