Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeSalt water depth chart
Today's read
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
21,097-acre South Funen Archipelago. Helnæs and Lyø Denmark saltwater fishing map with official Danish Geodata Agency 50 m bathymetry, measured-only fishing spots, DTU-supported fish targets, seasonal forage guidance and public shore-access context. South Funen Archipelago. Helnæs and Lyø. The western South Funen Archipelago around Als and Ærø, with island points, narrow sounds and current-swept banks. The water tops out around 126 ft. The depth chart comes from Danish Geodata Agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
Traced from the shoreline, South Funen Archipelago - Helnæs and Lyø runs 21,101 acres with 43.9 miles of edge. The 2.2 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 9% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Call it 16.8 mi long by 7.1 mi wide at the broadest reach. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Aabenraa Fjord - Outer, 7 mi south of here.
The target roster combines the named DTU monitoring area with conservative habitat-compatible Danish regional records. It documents observed or regionally supported occurrence, not equal abundance, a catch rate, or a promised catch in this child. European eel is omitted because recreational eel fishing is currently closed. The roster may combine exact-water monitoring with habitat-filtered official regional evidence; it does not imply that every species is equally abundant throughout the mapped section.
| Species | Evidence basis | Count / date |
|---|---|---|
| Havørred (Sea Trout) | official species listing | — |
| Sild (Atlantic Herring) | official species listing | — |
| Skrubbe (European Flounder) | official species listing | — |
| Hornfisk (Garfish) | official species listing | — |
| Rødspætte (European Plaice) | official species listing | — |
| Hvilling (Whiting) | official species listing | — |
| Makrel (Atlantic Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| Tunge (Common Sole) | official species listing | — |
| Tyklæbet multe (Thick-lipped Grey Mullet) | official species listing | — |
| Slethvar (Brill) | official species listing | — |
| Sej (Saithe (Coalfish)) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
In spring, sea trout run shallow here, mostly 3 to 20 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 15 to 50 ft before dropping to 5 to 30 ft for winter. Spring sea trout concentrate at Shoreline point, a good-rated point around 6 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a deep-running wobbler or a trolled spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Slim coastal spoon, Shallow-running wobbler |
| Summer | 15 to 50 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (59 ft) | Deep-running wobbler, Trolled spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Coastal wobbler, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 5 to 30 ft | midday | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Slow coastal spoon, Suspending wobbler |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: atlantic herring in 5 to 25 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 15 to 50 ft before dropping to 20 to 60 ft for winter. The spot to know is Sharp break, a drop-off in about 59 ft of water that rates good for atlantic herring in winter. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a herring feather rig or a small silver jig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Small herring feather rig, Micro jig rig |
| Summer | 15 to 50 ft | dawn & dusk | DDM measured current seam (54 ft) | Herring feather rig, Small silver jig |
| Fall | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Small feather rig, Compact silver spoon |
| Winter | 20 to 60 ft | midday | Sharp break (59 ft) | Small silver jig, Sparse feather rig |
When the water first warms, european flounder slide up into 5 to 25 ft. Summer is a 6 to 35 ft game here, winter a 15 to 50 ft one. Start at Feeding flat. It's a feeding flat holding about 21 ft of water and rates prime come spring. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. Keep a bottom jig with spinner blade rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 25 ft | dusk | Feeding flat (21 ft) | Small bucktail dragged on bottom |
| Summer | 6 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Feeding flat (21 ft) | Bottom jig with spinner blade |
| Fall | 8 to 40 ft | dusk | Feeding flat (21 ft) | Compact bottom jig |
| Winter | 15 to 50 ft | midday | DDM measured creek channel (45 ft) | Small bottom jig |
In spring, garfish run shallow here, mostly 1 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 2 to 20 ft before dropping to 20 to 60 ft for winter. Spring garfish concentrate at Shoreline point, a prime-rated point around 6 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a slim casting spoon or a surface-skipping fly most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 15 ft | dawn & midday | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Slim silver spoon, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Slim casting spoon, Surface-skipping fly |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (6 ft) | Weighted slim spoon, Small silver jig |
| Winter | 20 to 60 ft | midday | DDM measured current seam (54 ft) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: european plaice in 8 to 35 ft. As the season builds they drop to 6 to 40 ft, wintering in 25 to 80 ft. Top water on the chart: Feeding flat, a feeding flat in the 21 ft range, prime in spring. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a light spooned bottom rig or a beaded trace gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dusk | Feeding flat (21 ft) | Beaded flowing trace |
| Summer | 6 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Feeding flat (21 ft) | Light spooned bottom rig, Beaded trace |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk | Feeding flat (21 ft) | Beaded bottom trace |
| Winter | 25 to 80 ft | midday | DDM measured channel edge (63 ft) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: whiting in 15 to 55 ft. As the season builds they drop to 20 to 70 ft, wintering in 15 to 70 ft. Top water on the chart: DDM measured channel edge, a channel edge in the 63 ft range, prime in fall. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a small vertical jig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 55 ft | dawn & dusk | DDM measured channel edge (63 ft) | Small silver jig, Two-hook feather rig |
| Summer | 20 to 70 ft | dawn | DDM measured channel edge (63 ft) | Small vertical jig |
| Fall | 10 to 60 ft | dusk | DDM measured channel edge (63 ft) | Small silver jig, Sparse feather rig |
| Winter | 15 to 70 ft | dusk | DDM measured channel edge (63 ft) | Compact vertical jig |
South Funen Archipelago - Helnæs and Lyø also holds atlantic mackerel (15 to 80 ft in summer), common sole (3 to 30 ft in summer), thick-lipped grey mullet (1 to 18 ft in summer), brill (6 to 50 ft in summer), saithe (coalfish) (12 to 126 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
The chart marks 8 structure features on South Funen Archipelago - Helnæs and Lyø; the deepest is Deepest basin at about 126 ft.
Access data: European Environment Agency — 2025 Bathing Water Directive Sites (Denmark). Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Denmark waters are set by the Danish Agency for Green Transition and Aquatic Environment (current recreational fishing rules) — and special regulations can apply to South Funen Archipelago - Helnæs and Lyø specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Most anglers using light hand gear need the applicable Danish angling licence, subject to the official age exemptions. Check live species rules, the mapped and unmapped 500-metre stream-mouth conservation belts, local fishing rights, protected areas and posted shore access before every trip. Recreational European eel fishing is currently prohibited, so eel is not promoted as a target here.
Check the official Denmark fishing regulations →
Danish fishing-licence portal →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
South Funen Archipelago - Helnæs and Lyø is about 126 ft (38 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Danish Geodata Agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Official coastal monitoring from DTU Aqua key-fisher monitoring, 2020–2022 informs the sea trout, atlantic herring, european flounder, garfish, european plaice, whiting, atlantic mackerel, common sole, thick-lipped grey mullet, brill, saithe (coalfish) roster for South Funen Archipelago - Helnæs and Lyø. The mixed roster combines exact-water records where available with habitat-filtered regional evidence; not every species is documented at this exact water, and it is not a promise of equal abundance or a catch on a particular trip.
Feeding flat is the top-rated area: a feeding flat in about 21 ft of water that rates prime for european flounder in spring. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For sea trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on South Funen Archipelago - Helnæs and Lyø is regulated by the Danish Agency for Green Transition and Aquatic Environment (current recreational fishing rules). Check the official Denmark regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Aabenraa Fjord - Outer 7 mi · Haderslev Fjord 7 mi · South Funen Archipelago - Faaborg South 10 mi · Little Belt - Middle 12 mi · Aabenraa Fjord - Inner 14 mi · South Funen Archipelago - Svendborg West 21 mi · South Funen Archipelago - Ærø Southeast 22 mi · Kolding Fjord 23 mi · Flensburg Fjord - Danish Inner Shore 24 mi · Little Belt - North 25 mi · Flensburg Fjord - German Inner Shore 27 mi, DEU · Flensburg Fjord - German Outer Shore 27 mi, DEU
See how South Funen Archipelago - Helnæs and Lyø stacks up: best sea trout lakes in Denmark · best atlantic herring lakes in Denmark · best european flounder lakes in Denmark · best garfish lakes in Denmark
Browse all Denmark fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: Danish Geodata Agency Denmark's Depth Model, 50 m resolution (DKMSL(2022) / mean sea level (EPSG:10547); 92% measured, 8% source-interpolated). How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.