Norwegian record Saithe: 22.7 kg

Previous records

Records that have since been beaten or left the official list.

About Saithe

Saithe (Pollachius virens) is one of the most sought-after fish on the Norwegian coast. It is streamlined and powerful, with a very dark green back and silvery grey flanks and belly. The pale, almost straight lateral line is the easiest way to separate it from pollack, which has a dark lateral line that curves over the pectoral fin and a more jutting lower jaw. The species ranges across the North Atlantic between Biscay and the Barents Sea and is common along the entire Norwegian coast. Saithe move in shoals, hunting herring, sprat, blue whiting and krill. They spawn early in the year. Saithe can reach about 1.3 m and more than 20 kg, and the rod-caught world record comes from Saltstraumen. Jigs, spinners, trolling and fly all work, with spring and autumn usually best, especially on a rising tide. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: Juli
• Red list status: LC (2021)

See the species guide

Biggest Saithe in FishComp

7.3 kg (32 % of the record) by Mathias Hjelvik Rolland. See the catch

How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.