Bay of Århus

It is almost incredible but still it is absolutely true:

With more than a quarter of a million people Århus is the second largest city in Denmark - a metropolis albeit a small one. Still the city is surrounded by beautiful nature and great fishing.

The Bay of Århus is defined by Sletterhage, Samsø and Tunø. It is an area that previously received large amounts of badly cleaned sewage. Only in 1990 things started to turn in favour of the environment. It happened with the construction of the hi-tech and very costly sewage treatment plant at Marselisborg. Price: 200 million Danish crowns.

This plant treats half the total sewage amount of Århus county - mechanically as well as biologically and chemically. Such a 3-stage treatment is absolutely necessary if the aquatic environment of Danish coastal waters are to improve and stabilize. Thus the Bay of Århus is in for a better future with this sewage treatment.

The area between Sletterhage and Samsø was for years one of this country's best spots for cod fishing - with a big international angling competition taking place each year. After some very bad years it now seems that the local cod population is on its way up again. So far mostly smaller specimens are seen - the ones that will grow into catchable sizes in the years to come.

When the heat of summer sets in, cod migrate out of the bay - towards deeper and colder water. Still fish are caught all year long in the Bay of Århus. It simply happens closer to the shore where catches primarily consist of silvery sea trout - the result of stocking paid by the income from the mandatory state angling license.

Closer to shore there is no shortage of oxygen as is the case further out in the deeper waters during late summer and autumn. Fish like sea trout that may live and feed in all layers of water do not have the same problems with oxygen depletion as the bottom-living fish species. At the same time fish like herring thrive in the nutrient rich waters of the bay - and become prime feed for hungry sea trout!

Luckily you do not have to drive far from the center of Århus before you are in the middle of some beautiful nature. You may want to go for a walk and fish for sea trout from one of the small rocky wavebreakers along Strandvejen - right next to the marina. Or you may want to be in a more secluded place and therefore go to the forest-clad shores at Marselisborg.

 

Angling hotspots

1. Kongsgårde
Dragsmur is the name of the narrow isthmus that separates Mols from Helgenæs. The stretch south towards Kongsgårde offers a very varied bottom with good chances of hooking up with sea trout and - during the season - garfish.
- [ see map ] -

2. Begtrup Vig
Begtrup Vig is probably best known for its great swimming beaches. Close to the locality named Rønnen lie a few interesting spots for those not afraid of a long walk in waders. Varied bottom with interspersed holes.
- [ see map ] -

3. Isgård
48 meter high is Mols Hoved, overlooking the Bay of Århus. Just west of it lies the beach at Isgård - a locality that over the years has produced many a good sea trout, cod and garfish. As it takes some walking to get to it, this place is rarely crowded.
- [ see map ] -

4. Skødshoved Flak
A spot for fishermen with access to boats or float tubes. If you are in a float tube great care should be taken not to get too far out and not to be taken by the currents that may run strong here. You fish the slopes where the shallows meet the deep - often 1 km from the shoreline. Many garfish during May and June.
- [ see map ] -

5. Vejlby Hage
Best known among boat fishermen that troll around this point close to the marina. Good numbers of large trout have been taken here over the years. If you fish early morning or late in the evening, you also stand a good chance wading from the shoreline. Beware of the closed zone around the outlet of the River Egå.
- [ see map ] -

6. Den Permanente
A much frequented place for anglers of the metropolis. Especially during the spring months you may have to stand in line near the swimming facility. But so do sea trout - at times!
- [ see map ] -

7. Ryes Flak
Less than one nautic mile away from Risskov lies Ryes Flak. A popular spot with trolling fishermen that have to share the place with sail boats during races. Sea trout as well as cod are caught here.
- [ see map ] -

8. Strandvejen
South of Marselisborg marina runs Strandvejen (Beach Road) where small rocky wavebreakers reach out in the bay. From these you may catch sea trout - best if you are able to reach the innermost weed line behind the sand.
- [ see map ] -

9. Ballehage
Ballehage is the first land point after Hotel Marselis - a locality that offers good fishing for spin and fly fishermen alike. Good fishing for sea trout as well as dab that are plentiful here. Long casts are a definite advantage.
- [ see map ] -

10. Ørnereden
Center of the annual Ørnerede competition in September. Sandy beach with interspersed rocks and kelp. Long casts are a definite advantage here. Good chances of sea trout and cod during spring and autumn. Also a great place for catching dab on a bottom line.
- [ see map ] -

11. Moesgård Strand
Fishing here is primarily done from the rocky land points that protrude into the Bay of Århus south of the kiosk at Moesgård. The first point is usually taken by fishermen - the next ones normally not. Great spring fishing for sea trout that originate from the River Giber. Also garfish during early summer.
- [ see map ] -

12. Fløjstrup
Fløjstrup Strand, located a few kilometres south of the mouth of Giber Å, regularly produces good sea trout. A beautiful place with more space and less fishermen than at Moesgård Strand. Bottom varies a lot.
- [ see map ] -

13. Kysing Næs
Classic location whose sea trout primarily originate from the tiny River Odder in the bottom of Norsminde Fjord. Unfortunately the reef itself has space for but a few fishermen so be prepared to stand in line. Or proceed south to Saksild Bugt.
- [ see map ] -

14. Saksild Bugt
Not so well known as Kysing Næs. Still this place is definitely worth a visit if Kysing is too crowded. Not as many rocks as on the reef itself but instead vast beds of eel grass make for productive sea trout fishing.
- [ see map ] -



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