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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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