This bay has often been called "the most beautiful bay in Denmark". Thus it came as a shock for most people when this particular bay suffered severely from oxygen depletion in the late summer of '97.

The oxygen depletion was caused by an unfortunate combination of a deep inner bay with little water exchange, excess nutrients from the surrounding fields, heat wave and a flat calm for days. A deadly cocktail that made the bottom "turn" and killed most of the fish, invertebrates and plants in the inner part of the bay.

Luckily it now seems that the aquatic environment and its inhabitants are recovering from the shock. At least it is a fact that sea trout are again caught on a regular basis in the long and narrow bay whose inner part is very deep. The outer part is very shallow and has but a narrow ship channel leading into the bay itself.

The Bay of Mariager has a number of smaller tributaries that all harbour stationary brown trout and migratory sea trout. It is from these rivers that new sea trout have been recruited after the oxygen depletion in '97. Saltwater fish living permanently in the bay have showed a very slow recovery as they have to recruit new fish all the way from salty Kattegat.

Among the larger tributaries are River Villestrup on the north side and River Kastbjerg on the south side. Both harbour sea trout but fish ascend very late in the year - primarily well into the closed season. They also hold good numbers of rainbow trout escaped from fish farms.

These rainbows often migrate into the bay where they grow rapidly and become true "steelheads". Thus the Bay of Mariager is well known as Denmark's best angling hotspot when it comes to specialised angling for steelheads.

In the Bay of Mariager there are two kinds of sea trout: The stationary "bay trout" that never leave the secluded innner bay. And then the true sea trout that migrate in and out of the bay. The bay trout remain brass coloured and densely spotted while the true sea trout adapt the silvery dress usually associated with this fish.

Migration from the inner bay to the outer bay usually takes place in April where fish may be caught in both inner and outer bay. During summer fishing is concentrated in the outer bay while winter usually sees good numbers of sea trout caught in the inner bay. At least until a possible ice cover prevents fishing in this part of the bay that is almost 100% freshwater.

While this beautiful bay is slowly recovering from the shock of the oxygen depletion, local fishermen call upon visiting anglers to show consideration for the fish stocks. Enjoy your fishing and the beatiful suroundings but do not bring home more than one fish.

1. Sandskredet
Under the steep slopes that border the north side of the inner bay lies Sandskredet - a most descriptive name for this locality. During the cold months overwintering sea trout may be caught here - during summer fat and silvery steelheads.
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2. Hills of Bramslev
A beautiful and preserved area where one of the most important spawning brooks for sea trout enters the bay. Good fishing on both sides of the outlet - outside the closed 500 m zone that is.
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3. Krogen
Along this locality with the most interesting name Krogen (The Hook), the bottom varies a lot. Good fishing under the forest-clad slopes towards the west.
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4. Kielstrup Odde
A beautiful locality where the fishing is good on both sides of Langsodde - towards Lake Kielstrup or out into the open bay. Soft bottom makes wading difficult so care should be taken.
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5. Stinesminde
Under the steep and forest-clad slopes at Stinesminde you may experience great fishing for sea trout and steelhead. The good fishing continues south towards Løvdal where greater depths are found.
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6. Ovebro Hage
A few hundred metres east of Ovebro Hage the River Villestrup - probably the most productive tributary - runs into the Bay of Mariager. That in itself makes for good fishing but you must bear in mind the closed 500 m zone at the outlet. Good spot for steelhead.
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7. "Bilfragmenteringen"
A locality that has it all: To the east - on your left hand - you are met by shallow water and breathtaking scenery. To the west - on your right hand - you will be fishing deep water where large ships dock to load automotive scrap. You will also be met by the noises from the car fragmentation. Everywhere fish may be caught. And everywhere you have a great view of "Dania" - the salt factory on the opposite side of the bay.
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8. Ørndalsbugten
An incredibly beautiful locality that attracts both fish and fishermen during the winter months. Here you may catch silvery trout that have come to stay for the winter. Or coloured fish in their spawning dresses. Almost freshwater, this place is open for fishing until ice closes it down. Also a good chance of steelhead.
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9. Strandholt
The land point at Strandholt is yet another of the classics in the Bay of Mariager. Here large power lines cross the bay and traditionally good fishing for sea trout is to be had during autumn, winter and spring - from the shore as well as from a boat.
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10. Katbjerg Odde
Katbjerg Odde pokes its nose out into the narrow bay and thus puts you in contact with a lot of inward or outward bound sea trout. Soft bottom makes for difficult wading so please be careful.
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11. Silleborg Hage
Bad access limits the number of fishermen at this hotspot. Note that fish may be caught along the coastline wherever mussel banks are found - not only at the point itself.
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12. Kongsdal
West of the new marina you'll find an interesting and productive piece of coastline that spans all the way to the mouth of River Kastbjerg. Bottom very varied. Good fishing can be had from the marina on towards the west where a closed 500 m zone at the river mouth begins. Excellent fishing for sea trout as well as steelhead - with fly or lure. Place may be crowded.
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13. Flintegrunden
The Bay of Mariager Fjord is not known for large sea trout. But if you want to hook up with one, your best chances are from a boat over Flintegrunden way out in the bay. Here a decent number of sea trout in excess of 5 kg have been caught - mostly while trolling.
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14. "Dania"
Near the salt factory "Dania" you will see a lot of birds during the cold of winter. They come to enjoy the hot water discharge from the factory and so do a number of sea trout - and sea trout fishermen. Here the water never freezes - no matter how cold the winter.
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15. Lovnkærgård
At Lovnkærgård on the north side of the bay the ship channel cuts close to the shoreline and the dikes providing fishermen with easy access to the sea trout feeding here.
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16. Pletten
If you have access to a boat then you should try fishing around the tiny island Pletten. Here you have a small ship channel that often holds fish. But bear in mind the tide so that you don't get stuck here!
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17. Als Odde
At Als Odde the Bay of Mariager meets Kattegat. The ship channel is narrow and the current thus strong. Fish may be caught everywhere near the channel - be it pelagic sea trout or bottom-dwelling flounders. Easily fished from a boat but if you are in good shape, you may wade several kilometres to the east and north while covering the edge of the ship channel. Further out there is a small rocky reef that often holds fish.
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18. Ajstrup Bugt
In the preserve at Ajstrup Bugt the ship channel almost reaches land. Here you may get in touch with fish even using short casts and fly tackle. Drifting weed may be a problem here when it comes to sea trout fishing during tidal changes. Be aware of the special regulations deriving from the preserve status of this area. And be aware too that access is difficult with ordinary cars. 4WD is no luxury here.
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19. Overgård
Along the dikes at Overgaard you may experience good fishing for migrating sea trout. It is a fishery that peaks in May-June and again in September-October. Access to the water by the estate is limited for non-locals.
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