World Cod Fishing Championship (Skrei fiske) 2025 in Norway

If you are lucky, you might be the next one to catch a record-breaking giant cod fish

Dates: March 14–15, 2025

From late March to early April, as spring settles over the Lofoten Islands, the sun and warmth attract the best cod from the Barents Sea to spawn in the surrounding waters. During this time, up to 1,000 sports anglers flock to Svolvær for the cod fishing competition, known as "Skrei fiske," eager to set a new fishing record. The largest cod ever caught near the islands weighed 57 pounds (25.88 kg), and who knows—you might break that record!

Schedule of Events

The Lofoten Cup will kick off on Friday, March 14, followed by the World Championship in Skrei Fishing on Saturday, March 15. Fishing will begin at 09:00 with a signal from the Coast Guard. The weekend will be filled with prizes, entertainment at the VM Kafeen, and various activities throughout the event.

Registration Fees

The participation fees for the fishing events are Kr 1400 for the Lofoten Cup, Kr 2699 for the combined World Championship in Skrei Fishing and Lofoten Cup, and Kr 1675 for the World Championship in Skrei Fishing. To participate in the World Championship, participants will need fishing equipment, accommodation, food and drink, travel insurance, and life jackets or flotation suits.

Getting There

The best way to reach Lofoten depends on your location, with options to travel by plane or boat. Widerøe flights arrive at Helle Airport in Svolvær, or you can take Hurtigruten or a fast boat from Bodø. Alternatively, you can fly to Harstad/Evenes, which is about a 2-hour bus ride to Svolvær, or rent a car. Rental cars are available at Evenes, Svolvær, and Leknes.