En gjenutsatt holaks på 8 kilo, som denne, er potensielt mor til 20 tilbakevandrende laks om noen år. (Foto: Normann Kotzurek) // A released henfish of 8 kilos, like this one, is the potential mother of 20 returning salmon in some years time. (Photo: Normann Kotzurek).

Mid-season evaluation

Anonymous
Thursday 25.July 2019 / 10:10

Catches so far has been a bit below the average of previous seasons. Yesterday's drift count was also not overwhelmingly positive, as we didn't see lots of salmon. The positive thing is that the salmon we do observe seem to be in very good condition, being both robust and butch.

The board in Lakselv land owners association conducted the mid-season evaluation yesterday, and the board they decided to await any further restrictions until further notice. The board will follow the situation on a day to day basis, and meet again on the 5th of August to assess the situation and any further limitations. 

En gjenutsatt holaks på 8 kilo, som denne, er potensielt mor til 20 tilbakevandrende laks om noen år. (Foto: Normann Kotzurek) // A released henfish of 8 kilos, like this one, is the potential mother of 20 returning salmon in some years time. (Photo: Normann Kotzurek).
En gjenutsatt holaks på 8 kilo, som denne, er potensielt mor til 20 tilbakevandrende laks om noen år. (Foto: Normann Kotzurek) // A released henfish of 8 kilos, like this one, is the potential mother of 20 returning salmon in some years time. (Photo: Normann Kotzurek).

In accordance with the prior agreements in Lakselva, the first limitation will be to ban any killing of large henfish. However, no limitations were decided in yesterday's board meeting. Considering the current situation, we would strongly encourage everyone to release big henfish regardless.

What is the contribution of a big henfish?
A henfish spawns on average 1450 eggs per kilo bodyweight. Further, it's estimated that approximately 2 % of the eggs survive to become smolt. From the time the smolt leave the river in favour of the sea, it is estimated that somewhere between 5 - 10 % survive to become salmon returning to the river. A henfish of 10 kilos would therefore potentially "raise" somewhere between 15 - 30 salmon. In other words, there is no doubt that large henfish are important to our river, and releasing big henfish is a favour both to yourself and future generations.

Tight lines!