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119,377-acre Varangerfjord. Vardø Approach. South. West Norway saltwater fishing map with official Kartverket surveyed 50 m bathymetry, measured-only fishing spots, Institute of Marine Research fish evidence, seasonal forage guidance and public shore-access context. The exposed eastern approach around Vardø and the outer fjord mouth. Southern trip-scale survey reach. Western trip-scale survey reach. The water tops out around 1347 ft. The depth chart comes from Norwegian Mapping Authority (Kartverket) bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - South - West maps at 119,407 acres behind 60.1 miles of shoreline. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.2) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 0% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Tip to tip the water measures near 19.6 mi with a 10.4-mi widest point. Its nearest charted neighbour, Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - South - East, is 10 mi to the northeast.
The target roster combines named-water evidence where available with conservative, habitat-compatible official Norwegian coastal records. It documents occurrence context, not equal abundance, a catch rate or a promised catch. Closed targets are excluded and current rules control every trip. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (Atlantic Cod) | official species listing | — |
| (Saithe (Coalfish)) | official species listing | — |
| (Haddock) | official species listing | — |
| (Atlantic Herring) | official species listing | — |
| (Atlantic Halibut) | official species listing | — |
| (Ling) | official species listing | — |
| (Cusk (Tusk)) | official species listing | — |
| (Sea Trout) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
In spring, atlantic cod run shallow here, mostly 20 to 100 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 45 to 180 ft, and winter fish settle into 50 to 220 ft. Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a heavy metal jig or a large soft-plastic jig most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 20 to 100 ft | dawn | open water | Diamond jig, Heavy bucktail |
| Summer | 45 to 180 ft | dawn | open water | Heavy metal jig, Large soft-plastic jig |
| Fall | 25 to 140 ft | dawn | open water | Diamond jig, Bucktail with teaser |
| Winter | 50 to 220 ft | midday | open water | Heavy vertical jig |
Early season saithe (coalfish) use the shallows, holding in 15 to 160 ft. Summer is a 25 to 260 ft game here, winter a 45 to 320 ft one. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a speed jig or a heavy paddletail and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 160 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Slim metal jig, Paddletail |
| Summer | 25 to 260 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Speed jig, Heavy paddletail |
| Fall | 20 to 220 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Metal jig, Baitfish swimbait |
| Winter | 45 to 320 ft | midday | open water | Heavy vertical jig |
When the water first warms, haddock slide up into 35 to 220 ft. Summer is a 60 to 320 ft game here, winter a 70 to 400 ft one. Start at Kartverket measured flat. It's a feeding flat holding about 338 ft of water and rates good come winter. The feeding windows run early morning. Keep a compact metal jig or a bottom rig rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 35 to 220 ft | dawn | open water | Small bottom jig, Beaded trace |
| Summer | 60 to 320 ft | dawn | Kartverket measured flat (338 ft) | Compact metal jig, Bottom rig |
| Fall | 45 to 260 ft | midday | Kartverket measured flat (338 ft) | Small vertical jig |
| Winter | 70 to 400 ft | midday | Kartverket measured flat (338 ft) | Deep bottom jig |
Early season atlantic herring use the shallows, holding in 5 to 25 ft. Summer is a 15 to 50 ft game here, winter a 20 to 60 ft one. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a herring feather rig or a small silver jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Small herring feather rig, Micro jig rig |
| Summer | 15 to 50 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | 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 | open water | Small silver jig, Sparse feather rig |
Come spring, look for atlantic halibut tight to the bank in 45 to 350 ft. Through summer count on 25 to 300 ft; the winter hold is 100 to 600 ft. Start at Kartverket measured flat. It's a feeding flat holding about 338 ft of water and rates prime come spring. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A large swimbait or a slow metal jig is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 45 to 350 ft | dawn | Kartverket measured flat (338 ft) | Large paddletail, Heavy bottom jig |
| Summer | 25 to 300 ft | dawn & dusk | Kartverket measured flat (338 ft) | Large swimbait, Slow metal jig |
| Fall | 45 to 380 ft | midday | Kartverket measured flat (338 ft) | Heavy paddletail, Bottom jig |
| Winter | 100 to 600 ft | midday | Kartverket measured current seam (644 ft) | Heavy vertical jig |
Early season ling use the shallows, holding in 80 to 450 ft. Summer is a 100 to 600 ft game here, winter a 130 to 700 ft one. The chart's best answer is Kartverket measured rock pile — rock pile, 536 ft, good for summer. Best bite is midday. Tie on a heavy vertical jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 80 to 450 ft | midday | Kartverket measured rock pile (536 ft) | Heavy metal jig, Large soft-plastic jig |
| Summer | 100 to 600 ft | midday | Kartverket measured rock pile (536 ft) | Heavy vertical jig |
| Fall | 90 to 520 ft | midday | Kartverket measured rock pile (536 ft) | Long metal jig |
| Winter | 130 to 700 ft | midday | Kartverket measured current seam (644 ft) | Heavy deep jig |
Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - South - West also holds cusk (tusk) (110 to 650 ft in summer), sea trout (15 to 50 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Structure-wise the chart holds 8 features, led in depth by Deepest basin at roughly 1345 ft.
No Miljødirektoratet state-secured outdoor-recreation area matched within 500 metres of this exact surveyed-raster shoreline. This is an access-evidence gap, not a claim that public access does not exist. Verify land ownership, local signs, parking, safety and fishing permission before entry.
Private land and private launches need the owner's permission — please ask first.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Norway waters are set by the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries (sea-angling rules) — and special regulations can apply to Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - South - West specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Norway fishing regulations →
Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - South - West is about 1347 ft (411 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Norwegian Mapping Authority (Kartverket) bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Official coastal monitoring from Institute of Marine Research Norwegian coastal ecosystem surveys informs the atlantic cod, saithe (coalfish), haddock, atlantic herring, atlantic halibut, ling, cusk (tusk), sea trout roster for Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - South - West. 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.
Kartverket measured flat is the top-rated area: a feeding flat in about 338 ft of water that rates prime for atlantic halibut in spring. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For atlantic cod, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - South - West is regulated by the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries (sea-angling rules). Check the official Norway regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - South - East 10 mi · Varangerfjord - Outer South - North 13 mi · Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - North - West 13 mi · Varangerfjord - Outer South - South 14 mi · Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - North - East 20 mi · Varangerfjord - Vadsø Reach 32 mi · Uhcavuonjávri 33 mi · Varangerfjord - Inner 42 mi · Oarddojávri 48 mi · Kirakkajärvi 49 mi, FI · Sevettijärvi 55 mi, FI · Suolisjärvi 61 mi, FI
See how Varangerfjord - Vardø Approach - South - West stacks up: best sea trout lakes in Norway · best atlantic herring lakes in Norway · best atlantic cod lakes in Norway · best saithe (coalfish) lakes in Norway
Browse all Norway fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: Norwegian Mapping Authority (Kartverket) Bathymetry terrain models, surveyed 50 metre grid (Chart datum / sea-chart zero as distributed by Kartverket; 100% measured, 0% 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.