As pearls on a string lie the classic fishing hotspots of Djursland. From the flat and sandy shore of the north and down to the steep and rocky slopes of the south.

Djursland was one of the first places where early Danish shoreline fishermen tried their luck. Here they found deep water close to shore, and here they were able to reach the fish with the simple equipment and short casts of the past.

Today the equipment has been refined tremendously. Today we are able to cast 50-100 metres with no problems at all, and that alone has made the number of productive angling hotspots way higher than earlier.

Thus we find productive spots from the northernmost Djursland to the southernmost Helgenæs. Everywhere you stand a good chance of doing battle with silvery sea trout, potbellied cod and - during peak season - longbilled garfish. Not to mention the many flatfishes that are caught here throughout the season.

Sea trout found along the shoreline of Djursland originate from different places. Fish along the north coast mostly originate from the mighty River Guden. They have migrated through the Bay of Randers to reap the benefits of the abundant food in Kattegat.

The remaining sea trout originate from the Channels of Kolindsund that empty into the harbour of Grenå - in the shape of the River Grenå. Thus they do not have to swim as far as the sea trout of the River Guden.

Djursland is situated right on the open and salty Kattegat. This means that sea trout fishing here mostly takes place during spring and autumn. During winter the shoreline is completely void of sea trout. They have migrated into the rivers to spawn - or into the Bay of Randers to overwinter. The combination of low water temperatures and a high salinity does not appeal to sea trout.

At the same time you may experience great cod fishing where deep water is found close to the shoreline. Djursland is known as the place in Denmark where you stand the greatest chance of hooking into large cod - fish in excess of 5 kg.

If you have access to a boat - a small trailer boat or a large charter boat - you may enjoy great cod fishing throughout the year. If you bring your own boat there are plenty of boat ramps from which to launch it. Only rarely do you have to travel more than a few hundred metres from the shoreline to be into good cod fishing!

1. Skovgårde
This is the first locality that sea trout migrating from the River Guden through the Bay of Randers reach in early spring. Typically the fishing is for small schooling "greelanders" close to the 40 cm size limit.
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2. Fjellerup Strand
A classic locality where the reef itself is very popular. As is the case at Skovgårde this is sand bank fishing for migrating "greenlanders" but later in the season several sea trout take up a more permanent residence here. Good fishing for garfish too in early summer.
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3. Nederskov
A special and often overlooked spot with very shallow water and many rocks. If you hit this place right, you may experience some very exciting fly fishing for sea trout hunting in shallow water among the rocks!
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4. Bønnerup Havn
Here a large percentage of the net-caught salmon boound for the River Guden are landed and sold. For some reason these salmon very seldom take a hook. But rod and line fishermen may experience very good fishing for various flatfish - especially dab - that are abundant on the sandy bottom found here.
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5. Knudshoved
Here the coastline starts changing character - from flat and sandy into deep and rocky. Knudshoved isn't nearly as famous as Gjerrild Klint further south but is definitely worth the hike if too many fishermen are present at Gjerrild.
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6. Gjerrild Klint
One of the true classics and one of the most popular of all hotspots on Djursland. Well known locality for sea trout as well as for cod and garfish. Fishing for sea trout and cod is best to the north while flatfish are abundant to the south.
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7. Karlby Klint
Fishing here is primarily for sea trout over a varied bottom under very steep slopes. Fishing is only possible during westerly winds as easterly winds wash chalk from the slopes and make the water very turbid - no good for fishing. Great overview from top of slopes.
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8. Sangstrup Klint
Fishing like at Karlby Kint - with similar possibilities and limitations. It goes for both Karlby og Sangstrup Klint that they may produce sea trout during midwinter - possibly due to upwelling freshwater from the chalky bottom.
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9. Fornæs Fyr
Yet another of the true Djursland classics. Most people go north to fish close to the lighthouse but fish may be caught all the way down south to Kragenæsset. Steep shoreline with rolling rocks and deep water close to shore. Well known locality for sea trout as well as for cod and garfish. Fishing is only possible during westerly winds as easterly winds wash chalk from the slopes and make the water very turbid - no good for fishing.
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10. Kragenæsset
A very exciting and truly different locality where large plates of chalk shoot out from under the surface - way out into the ocean. This makes for difficult wading but also for short casts into deep water. Don't try this place after sunset as it could be dangerous. During early spring the shallow water in Ålebugten on the way towards Grenå may be worth a try.
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11. Polderrevet
A small and relatively unknown locality close to and just south of Grenå city. Being small it has space for only a few fishermen. But they may be lucky enough to meet the first sea trout migrating from the River Grenå into salty Kattegat during early spring.
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12. Naveren
If you have access to a boat the small shallow Naveren is a productive spot for cod fishing - barely a nautical mile from Polderevet.
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13. Katholm
The beach below Katholm estate is not well known but still offers good chances of hooking up with both sea trout, cod, garfish and flatfish.
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14. Havknuden
Fishing like at Katholm, only now you have a beautiful forest all the way down to the coastline. This provides anglers with lee against the prevailing west winds. Havknude Flak that stretches several nautical miles from the shoreline and out usually is a good bet for cod fishermen.
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15. Glatved Strand
An exciting and productive hotspot that suffers from the activities of the local chalk quarry. The road leading to the beach is white with spilled chalk as is often the case with the coastal waters too. Still good numbers of sea trout, cod, garfish and flatfish are caught on a regular basis.
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16. Rothes Grund
If you have access to a belly boat or a larger boat, the tiny Rothes Grund is definitely worth a boat ride. This place is located half a nautic mile from the chalk quarry and offers great cod fishing during sping and autumn. If the water isn't turbid from chalk spills that is.
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17. Rugård
Yet another classic among the hotspots of Djursland. Well known angling locality for sea trout as well as cod and - during peak season - garfish. Also great chances of catching flatfish of various kinds. A beautiful camp ground right next to the water adds to the attraction.
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18. Jernhatten
Exciting angling hotspot below the 49 metres high Jernhatten where a rocky reef stretches out a long way from the shoreline. This locality is also famous for the huge Blaksten - a large rock that can be seen partly exposed at low tide. Well known angling hotspot - for sea trout as well as for cod and garfish. Fishing allowed only on the north side as the south side has a closed zone at the mouth of a small river.
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19. Kobberhage
Well known angling hotspot - for sea trout as well as for cod and garfish.
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20. Elsegårde
Landscape starts to flatten out at Elsegårde - a locality that particularly during spring always produces good numbers of sea trout. But beware of the fact that locals often complain about visitors that immediately wade out as far as they can before they start fishing. Don't. Trout are often to be found only metres from the shoreline - easily spooked by premature wading!
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Anholt

The small island of Anholt lies way out in Kattegat - right between Sweden and Denmark. Access is somewhat difficult - a ferry boat ride with no cars allowed - but the island is well worth a visit.

Anholt offers its visitors miles and miles of friendly and white sandy beaches perfect for swimming. Less known is the fact that the very same beaches offer good fishing for silvery sea trout during spring and autumn.

But beware that competition from the local spotted seal colony may be fierce!