Lakes Glenstrup and Fussing

It is a tiny fish called "smelt" that has made Lake Glenstrup famous for its perch and lake trout. Smelts make up a very substantial part of the diet of these two fish species. Pike on the other hand tend to focus more on larger prey like roach and bream.

The best trout fishing is usually to be had very early in the year - preferebly just after ice out. With the increasing heat of spring and summer trout vanish into the depths where they like to hang around the thermocline until the next total circulation of the waters in autumn. After that you may again find trout close to the surface - often on the lookout for spawning shoals of smelt.

This lake holds some of the largest lake trout in all Denmark - if not the biggest. In 1974 a new Danish record was set with a 7 kg fish caught on spinning gear from the shoreline. This record was beaten when on June 19 1987 a beaufiful and silvery trout of 80 cms and 7,795 kg was caught trolling a Rapala lure from a boat. You should however plan on spending many days on the lake before you catch one of its elusive trout.

The large size of the trout in Lake Glenstrtup is due to the fact that this strain of trout is the same as in the sea trout of nearby River Skals. Earlier this River held some very large searun brown trout that migrated in and out of the Bay of Hjarbæk.

With depths of up to 24 metres Lake Glenstrup belongs to the deepest lakes in all Denmark. It is a long and narrow lake that stretches in an east-westerly direction. Its length is 4,5 km and its width 0,5-1 km.

A dozen kilometres or so to the west of Randers lies yet another large lake that also drains into the River Skals. We are talking about the more than 3 km long and 25 m deep Lake Fussing which is idylically located in the bottom of a narrow gorge, bordered by steep hills and forest-clad to the south and west.

As opposed to Lake Glenstrup Lake Fussing does not have a stock of trout since it has no suitable tributaries for spawning. Instead it boasts good populations of perch and pike plus an enormous amount of truly big bream. The latter due to the sad fact that Lake Fussing suffers from a large input of nitrogen and phosphor from surrounding agricultural fields.

For this reason it is advised by local anglers that visiting fishermen return all or at least the majority of predatory fish caught - fish that are important to maintain the subtle ecological balance of the lake.

1. Lake Glenstrup

Lake Glenstrup is situated in an east-westerly direction which makes it quite sensitive to wind when fishing from a boat. The lake is shallow around the west end outlet and both deeper and more rocky in the east end.

Lake trout hunting for smelts in the open waters of the lake may be caught anywhere. Best fishing is to be had during spring and autumn where fish can hunt freely all over the lake. A favoured location is the piece of water between the two points that almost divide the lake in two around the middle. This is where the deepest water is found.

Pike like to hold around the weed in shallower water close to the shoreline. After completion of spawning in May they are easily located along the sedges in the west end of the lake. As for the remainder of the year they may be found all over the lake.

Perch prefer to lie in places with rocky points and banks, where they often chase smelt. Late in summer they hang around just outside the water plants that break the surface, waiting for the pin fry of the year to stray outside the cover of the vegetation.
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2. Lake Fussing

Like Lake Glenstrup this lake lies in an east-westerly direction making it rather sensitive to the prevailing west winds. Add to this that you are not allowed to use an outboard engine on Lake Fussing and you have a rather big lake! For that same reason the east end - opposite to the boat ramp - receives very little fishing pressure.

Most people fish the bay in front of the boat ramp where good fishing for perch can often be had in vicinity of the old sunken logs. Or you may row your boat into the little bay behind the old castle ruin where pike often congregate. Or you may fish the shallow reef that separates the two bays. Small schools of perch ofte patrol this area.
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3. Kongsvad Mølleå

Kongsvad Mølleå is the outlet of Lake Glenstrup into the River Skals. It is possible to fish a 5 km long stretch where both brown trout and escaped rainbow trout may be caught.
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4. River Kastbjerg

Largest tributary from the south to the Bay of Mariager. It enters the bay east of Assens and is a major contributor of rainbow trout escaped from the fish farm located here. In addition to this River Kastbjerg also has a mixed stock of brown trout and sea trout - the latter limited by the dam at the fish farm. Best fishing spots are found near Kongsdal Forest that provides shelter from the wind.
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5. River Villestrup

Largest tributary to the Bay of Mariager, located on the north side. From time to time it provides excellent fishing for steelheads (searun rainbow trout) and sea trout on the lower stretches. Fish farms on the upper reaches of this river provide the river and bay with numerous escaped rainbow trout that later turn into steelheads.

Widely known though as a good producer of stationary brown trout and rainbows. Also known for its crystal clear water and shy, educated fish. A rich insect life makes for selective fish.
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