The Atlantic Salmon Centre in Lærdal

The Atlantic Salmon Centre in Lærdal, Norway opened for the public June 1, 1996. The official opening was by His Majesty King Harald V. The centre is beautifully situated on the bank of one of the most famous salmon rivers in Norway - Lærdalselva. Here the visitor gains insight in the life cycle of the atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and the traditions connected to salmon fishing. The Centre also presents the activities associated with utilization and protection of the wild salmon stocks.

• A unique observatory for wild salmon
• The salmon ladder, the rapid, and the waterfall
• Scientific and cultural/historical exhibits
• Movie about the atlantic salmon and salmon fishing
• Salmon fly-tying workshop
• Café with special salmon dishes

And last, but not least - the main attraction: The river itself with its clear waters and the migrating salmon. The visitors can watch the salmon fishing in the lower pools of the river from the roof terrace.

In 1997 the Lærdal river had to be rotenone treated after a heavy infection of the salmon parasite Gyrodactylus Salaris - one of the most dangerous threats to the Atlantic Salmon. Fishing in the salmon carrying reaches of the river is suspended for several years. This does not imply that there is no salmon in the river - hundreds of salmon and sea trout were caught and kept in sea, to be released in the river after the treatment. Come spring, new generations of salmon will return to the river to spawn after spending their adolescence years of wandering in the North Atlantic. You will not see any anglers the coming years, but the salmon will be there - both the Lærdal River and the Salmon Centre. The incident is however another warning on the vulnerability of the North Atlantic Salmon.

Links to other pages on the Salmon Centre:

• Norwegian Salmon Centre, official home page
• The Norwegian Flyshop
• Travel Guide - Valdres and Sogn