Bay of Randers
The Bay of Randers is a very unusual and
very exciting place to fish. For two reasons: One, this bay is
very long and very narrow. And two, almost all Danish fish species
are represented within this bay, be they freshwater or saltwater
species.
This is due to the particular length and
outlay of this bay which spans from the inlet of the mighty River
Guden at the innermost part to the outlet into the salty Kattegat.
It is also due to the fact that the Bay of Randers does not really
become a bay until it meets the Bay of Grund. Until that it is
more of a prolonged River Guden - filled with freshwater and
freshwater fish.
The River Guden is the longest river in
Denmark and as so huge amounts of water are sluiced through the
long and narrow bay. At low tide in Kattegat fresh water rushes
out towards the salt. At high tide it is blocked by the ocean
and the freshwater flow is stopped by incoming saltwater.
With the incoming saltwater many saltwater
fish follow - fish that may migrate many kilometres into the
otherwise fresh bay. The freshwater fish of the bay follow the
opposite pattern and may be encountered very far to the east
at low tide when freshwater forces its way into the ocean. This
is particularly so with perch while pike and pikeperch prefer
the more stagnant waters of the innner bay.
Year round sea trout from the River Guden
migrate back and forth within the bay. A good number even leave
the bay to feed on the higher concentrations of baitfish found
here. This outward migration takes place in spring after which
sea trout may be found all along the open coastline of Djursland.
Throughout the winter sea trout are to
be found in the almost entirely fresh inner bay. But you should
be aware that legally this part of the bay is considered freshwater
- with freshwater regulations being enforced. You should also
be aware that this bay for many years has had a very special
status and thus very special regulations that do not apply anywhere
else. This goes for a number of rules about boating and fishing.
Despite its fishing status as a freshwater, the fishing is still
free as in saltwater.
During summer the fishing for sea trout
is taking place in the outer bay around Udbyhøj. If you
hit it right you may find yourself in the middle of small schools
of silvery sea trout on their way out of the bay. This is also
possible further into the bay - but earlier in the year.
The outermost part of the bay also has
great fishing for flounders, winter months being the exception.
Angling hotspots
1. Harbour of Randers
Good fishing throughout the harbour
area. In the South Harbour you may have good fishing for perch
while the North Harbour often holds good numbers of pikeperch.
- [ see
map ] -
2. Dronningborg Bredning
A large and very shallow area that
at times harbours many fish but always requires a boat. Fishing
for perch in open spots and fishing for pike near the vegetation.
- [ see
map ] -
3. Støvring Dæmningen
The dike at Støvringgård
estate attracts plenty of fish and fishermen during the months
of spring. Fishing is mostly ledgering with worms and the catch
consists primarily of whitefish and small sea trout.
- [ see
map ] -
4. Uggelhuse
At Uggelhuse the Bay of Randers
meets the Bay of Grund. Here lie a couple of small islands that
border on steep underwater slopes with a varied bottom. Sea trout
are caught here in spring and autumn.
- [ see
map ] -
5. Bay of Grund
A shallow bay with depths of less
than one metre. Despite this the Bay of Grund harbours good numbers
of perch and sea trout that come from River Alling at the bottom
of the bay.
Note the 1 km wide closed zone to fishing
at the outlet of the river - twice the size of the legal standard.
- [ see
map ] -
6. Mellerup
At the small and rustic ferry berth
Mellerup you can cross the Bay of Randers. You may also launch
your own boat from the trailer ramp found here and thus cover
a great deal of productive fishing water.
- [ see
map] -
7. Kanaløen
North of Mellerup - but on the
east side of the bay - lies the Channel Island. Behind this island
lies the dug-out ship channel that takes care of the heavy traffic
on the bay. In front of it you'll find a large area with a very
varied bottom whose mussel banks often hold fish - flounders
as well as perch and sea trout. Especially productive are the
sheltered edges of the Channel Island.
It is not allowed to enter the Channel
Island.
- [ see
map ] -
8. Skalmstrup Vig
At the bottom of Skalmstrup Vig
the small River Tvede empties its nutritious water into the bay
which attracts good numbers of fish. This spot may be fished
from the bank near the pump station or from a boat. Catch will
be perch and sea trout.
- [ see
map ] -
9. Stenrevet
A classic locality that is best
fished from a boat. On the south side of the bay you may
wade to this tiny island that attracts fish as well as fishermen.
Here you may catch sea trout during spring and autumn - perch
especially during the heat of summer. Very popular spot that
can be crowded at times.
- [ see
map ] -
10. Udbyhøj north and south
At the mouth in Kattegat the Bay
of Randers is but a few hundred metres wide. Here you will find
a ferry boat crossing the bay on a regular basis. You will also
find a current that can be very heavy during different phases
of the tide. Water is also very deep in the natural ship channel.
Fishing is primarily done from boats on
the edge of this channel - from Udbyhøj and eastwards
into the open ocean. If you are not frightened by milelong walks
in kneedeep water, both sides of the bay can be fished without
a boat. But do beware of areas with a soft bottom. Don't get
stuck there when the tide comes in.
- [ see
map ] -
11. Sælhundepollerne
Way out, where the fresh water
from the River Guden meets the salt water from Kattegat, lie
Sælhundepollerne.
A small row of tiny islands on the north
side of the ship channel is the only dry ground out here for
weared fishermen to rest upon. Here trout migrate very close
to the shoreline and can easily be reached by a short fly cast.
Similar situation on the south side of the bay but - alas - no
dry place to rest...
Always be aware of the strong current often
found out here. Water gets very deep very fast so be careful
when wading. Accidents have happened here.
- [ see
map ] -
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