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River fishing in Greenland

Greenland Arctic char fishing is for those discerning connoisseurs who want a wilderness experience in remote mountain valleys, accompanied by pristine fast-flowing rivers and clear water fishing.

When the arctic char arrive in the fiords of Greenland in June, the anglers have long since planned their trip, prepared fly rods and packed their fishing gear. We know that because they knock impatiently on the door in July, ready to go, as soon as the fish migrate up the rivers in large numbers to reproduce.

Soon begins a short, intense season, when the char, desperate to escape the fish hook, turns and twist its body in a powerful torque, and drags the angler around in a duel that challenges both parties, quite reminiscent of the struggle that the Atlantic salmon can dish up.

Soon begins a short, intense season, when the char, desperate to escape the fish hook, turns and twist its body in a powerful torque, and drags the angler around in a duel that challenges both parties

Package Tours

Arctic Umiaq Line: Discover Greenland from the sea

Arctic Umiaq Line

Discover Greenland from the sea

The coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk sails from southern Greenland up along Greenland’s west coast to Disko Bay.

FROM 500 DKK
Blue Ice Explorer: South Greenland – Short and Intensive

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland - Short and Intensive

Experience Greenland on a getaway from Iceland. Wonderful day-hikes with easy access to South Greenland's blue icebergs and history.

FROM €483
Icelandic Mountain guides: Icefjord and remote villages

Greenland Adventures by Icelandic Mountain Guides

Icefjord and remote villages

Dive back into time, learn about the culture of Inuit, how they have survived for generations despite being so isolated.

FROM €2,900
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RIVERS WITH ARCTIC CHAR IN WESTERN GREENLAND

In West Greenland fishing is concentrated, in particular, around the towns of Sisimiut, Maniitsoq and Kangerlussuaq, where there are two dozen rivers with strong angler profiles along the west coast.

Fishing destinations are wilderness experiences that can only be reached by boat or helicopter, and every river usually has no more than six to twelve fishermen at a time – so this small group of ‘geeks’ gets access to exclusive char experiences that you would have to search far and wide for in northern Europe and the U.S.

Local operators with extensive knowledge of the countryside and fishing provide camps and transportation in cooperation with professional fishing guides. Fly fishing and spin fishing are both available in July and August.

  • Recreational fishing is done using hooks without barbs, anglers may only take the fish they can eat on the trip, and all living catches must be released again.

  • All river fishing requires a valid license, and this costs DKK 75 for a 24 hour period, and DKK 200 for a week.

  • Fishing licenses must be paid through your bank or through online banking.

  • Access to virtually all Arctic char rivers is gained either by flying or sailing. Please note that any boat used must be approved by local authorities for passenger transport.

  • The implementation of a comprehensive Greenlandic concessions act is underway, and this will in the coming years further enhance exclusivity and product quality.

  • Read this guideline on how to acquire fishing license in Greenland

ANGLING IN THE SOUTH OF GREENLAND

South Greenland is known as the bread basket of Greenland, and the local population, since the very first immigrants arrived here, has been aware that the rivers in the region are literally swimming with Arctic char.

At Ipiutaq farm near Narsaq, and on the rivers further inland in Tunulliarfik, also known as Erics fiord, the optimal conditions for the use of both spin and fly rod are from mid-July to September.

The clear flowing river Ilua is located in the neighboring valley to Ipiutaq guest farm, while other rivers in the area are also suitable for fly fishing and spin fishing with the turbid waters flowing directly from the ice cap.

From 2013, Ilua river and lake system is the first place to be operated under a fishing concession from the Government of Greenland and is owned by Ipiutaq guest farm.

The accessibility of individual rivers makes it possible to buy day trips, especially from Narsarsuaq, and we have noticed that some anglers use the area in this way as an à la carte menu of options that can be combined according to their requirements.

LOCAL CULTURE AND RIVER ANGLING

If you are able to look away from the river for a minute, it is worth delving into the local cultural experience that is part of the landscape.

In South Greenland, the many ruins of the Norse culture are a reminder of the different waves of immigrants in a region closely linked to transatlantic shipping lanes. The Norse tradition of farming lives on today in the form of sheep herding and farming communities.

In West Greenland there are local families who have fished at the same Arctic char rivers for several generations. Families camp for the weekend, or visit for the day, during the summer, and you will often experience fish being smoked in ovens that are built entirely by natural materials, people going reindeer hunting, and stories that are told about hunting and family. Locals and anglers each have their own spot among the ample space along the river, so you can easily navigate the area without disturbing each other.

Local providers

West Greenland Wildlife

Sisimiut, Paarnaqutit 15 Postbox 119,
3911 ,
Phone: (+299) 55 11 34More information

Nuuk Adventure

Nuuk,
3900,
Phone: +299 26 27 28More information
Dogs on a dog sledding trip near Ilulissat in Greenland fanning out in typical west Greenlandic fashion. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Albatros Arctic Circle

Kangerlussuaq, Mittarfiit Aqq.
3910,
Phone: +299 84 16 48More information
Tasermiut 3

Tasermiut South Greenland Expeditions

Qassiarsuk, B-873 Qassiarsuk
3923,
Phone: (+299) 522 822More information
An evening view of the white church in Nanortalik in South Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Nanortalik Tourism Service

Nanortalik, Lundip Aqqutaa B 128,
3922,
Phone: +299 61 36 33More information
Hunter aiming with hunting rifle in Greenland. Photo by Major Hunting

Major Hunting

Nuuk, Jonathan Petersens vej 11,
3900,
Phone: +299 52 08 41More information
Beautiful view in sunlight from Ipiutaq Guest Farm in Summer. Photo by Agathe Devisme

Ipiutaq Guest Farm

Narsaq, 40 min by boat from Narsarsuaq and Narsaq
3921,
More information
Nuuk Water Taxi Boat. Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen

Nuuk Water Taxi

Nuussuaq, Qarsaalik 25A,
3905,
Phone: +299 54 56 90More information
Hotel Sisimiut 01

Hotel Sisimiut

Sisimiut, Aqqusinersuaq 86,
3911,
Phone: (+299) 864 840More information
Guests at Hvalsey church ruin in South Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Greenland Sagalands

Qaqortoq, Vatikanbakken 68,
3920,
Phone: +299 64 24 44 / +299 49 37 41More information
Ski touring with Shifting Ice in Greenland

Greenland Extreme

Sisimiut, Mukkup Aqquserna 10,
3911,
Phone: +299 55 45 00More information
Purple landscape with a silhouette of a man carrying reindeer antlers on his back. Photo by Bowhunting Greenland

Bowhunting Greenland

Arsuk, B-988
3932,
Phone: +299 68 50 50 / From USA: (011) +299 68 50 50More information
Saling vessel between icebergs in Greenland. Photo by Blue Ice Explorer, Visit Greenland.

Blue Ice Explorer

Narsarsuaq, Box 58
3923,
Phone: +299 66 54 99 / +299 49 73 71More information
Hytten Amaroq from outside. Photo by Asimut Tours and Camp, Visit Greenland

Asimut Tours and Camp

Nuuk, Postboks 153
3900,
Phone: +299 55 34 04More information
Arctic Dream Travellodge Greenland 02

Arctic Dream

Tasiilaq, B-771
3913,
Phone: +299 58 41 71More information
ABC Charter winter boat tour

Arctic Boat Charter - ABC

Nuuk, Boks 1355
3900,
Phone: +299 53 38 80More information

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Whale Watching A whale safari near Qeqertarsuaq in Greenland A collection of reindeer antlers outside a house in Qeqertarsuatsiaat south of Nuuk in Greenland. By Mads Pihl Trophy Hunting
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