Person fly fishing at Sassannguit near Sisimiut - West Greenland

Angling & Fly Fishing

Fishing is a way of life in Greenland. It has always provided a critical source of food for the Greenlandic people and is currently Greenland’s largest export. The Arctic Circle region has some of the best fishing in the country with the opportunity to catch arctic char, salmon, Atlantic and Greenlandic halibut, wolffish, Atlantic redfish, cod, and snow crabs.

Arctic Char fishing

The remote, pristine rivers between Maniitsoq and Sisimiut are world-class sites for fishing arctic char (“eqaluk” in the Greenlandic language). Surrounded by stunning landscapes, it is highly unlikely you will run into anyone else as you test your skill in landing catches of up to 6kg each.

Many of the operators who offer these remote fishing experiences have fished their specific river for generations and know all the best spots. They offer a range of accommodation during the season, which is limited to 15 July – 15 August to ensure sustainable catches.

Person fly fishing in a river near Sisimiut - West Greenland

Fly fisher fishing in a river near Maniitsoq, Greenland

Two fishermen on an open boat fishing trip near Sisimiut showing off their catch - West Greenland

Person catching a fish from a small open boat - Sisimiut, West Greenland

Redfish and Altantic Cod caught during an ocean fishing trip

Sea fishing

Cod is the fish most commonly caught on a general fishing tour, and it is not difficult to do so! Simply throw a line with one or more hooks over the side (no bait required) and you are almost guaranteed to catch a fish within a short period of time.

However, if you are after a slightly different fishing experience, join a tour to catch Atlantic wolffish and halibut. These large, deep-sea fish are usually found at depths greater than 200m and caught using a long-line baited at regular intervals.

Ice fishing

Even during winter, it is possible to go fishing. The winter season starts once the fjords have frozen over and the ice is stable, and generally runs from about February to May. Modern fishers use essentially the same techniques as their Inuit ancestors but with updated, modern equipment to help drill through the thick ice. Cod is again the most common catch but, with a little patience, you might be lucky to pull up a different species of fish.

The main thing to remember is that it is going to be cold, so make sure you arrange to wear arctic winter clothing and boots to fully enjoy the experience.