Atlantic herring

Getting started

Your first try for Atlantic herring

One recommended starting point: hekle or sabiki from a boat or from shore. More methods are listed under “How to fish”.

1. 1. Place and time

   • In winter the herring often move closer to land and into the fjords.2,3,4Sources×Fishing tip from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonsild3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for vintersild4OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundPrøv deg på sildefiske i vinterAll sources on this page
   • Best in Dec–Mar.

2. 2. Tackle

   Rod and weight

   A rod with medium to stiff action, a reel with enough line to fish down to 50–60 metres, and a weight of 40–100 g adapted to the current.4Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions4OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundPrøv deg på sildefiske i vinterAll sources on this page

   Hekle (multi-hook rig)

   Hekles with a few flash threads or plastic wings are especially effective. Bring three or four different ready-made hekles.3Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for vintersildAll sources on this page

3. 3. Rig up: multi-hook rig (hekle) with a lure

   1. 1Main line. Line from the reel or the hand line.5Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions5ExperienceJakt & FiskeFiskertipset: Hvordan fiske makrell effektivt?All sources on this page
   2. 2Hekle (multi-hook rig). Several small hooks on short droppers along the same line.5,6Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions5ExperienceJakt & FiskeFiskertipset: Hvordan fiske makrell effektivt?6ExperienceHooked.noSlik fisker du makrellAll sources on this page
   3. 3Lure or sinker. At the bottom, as casting weight and to get the hekle down.5,6Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions5ExperienceJakt & FiskeFiskertipset: Hvordan fiske makrell effektivt?6ExperienceHooked.noSlik fisker du makrellAll sources on this page

   How to assemble it

   • →Tie the hekle to the main line.5Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions5ExperienceJakt & FiskeFiskertipset: Hvordan fiske makrell effektivt?All sources on this page
   • →Attach a herring lure or a sinker at the bottom of the hekle.5,6,7Sources×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions5ExperienceJakt & FiskeFiskertipset: Hvordan fiske makrell effektivt?6ExperienceHooked.noSlik fisker du makrell7ExperienceVillmarksbutikken.netMakrellfiske fra land – utstyr, sesong og tipsAll sources on this page
   • →From shore, two or three hooks are enough, so the rig is easy to cast.5Source×Tackle advice from a source of experience · Applies to all regions5ExperienceJakt & FiskeFiskertipset: Hvordan fiske makrell effektivt?All sources on this page

4. 4. How to do it

   • →Herring are usually fished with a herring hekle or sabiki: a series of small hooks on the line.3,8,9,10Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 4 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for vintersild8OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundSild9ExperienceSportsfiskeren (Danmark)Fang sunde sild10ExperienceHooked.noFerdatorsk, sild og tullefiskerAll sources on this page
   • →Lower the hekle to the depth where the herring are, and watch the rod tip. Bites feel like small twitches or shaking.3,4,9Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for vintersild4OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundPrøv deg på sildefiske i vinter9ExperienceSportsfiskeren (Danmark)Fang sunde sildAll sources on this page
   • →Reel or lift the fish up calmly and steadily.3,4,9Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for vintersild4OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundPrøv deg på sildefiske i vinter9ExperienceSportsfiskeren (Danmark)Fang sunde sildAll sources on this page

Where

Where to find Atlantic herring

Technique and tackle

How to fish for Atlantic herring

When

Season and time of day

• →Herring are easy to catch once you have found the school.3,4,9Sources×Fishing tip confirmed by 3 independent sources of experience · Applies to all regions3Experienceasgeiralvestad.noTid for vintersild4OrganisationNorges Jeger- og FiskerforbundPrøv deg på sildefiske i vinter9ExperienceSportsfiskeren (Danmark)Fang sunde sildAll sources on this page

Rules

Minimum sizes and closed seasons

About the fish

Identification and life history

Identification

• →Elongated body, compressed from the sides. Silvery, often with a slightly darker back. Large eyes and an underbite.2Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonsildAll sources on this page
• →The lateral line is indistinct, and the tail fin is large and forked.2Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonsildAll sources on this page

Size

• →Can reach up to 45 cm, but herring larger than 40 cm are rare.2Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonsildAll sources on this page
• →North Sea herring are rarely larger than 25 cm and 0.4 kg.1Source×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetNordsjøsildAll sources on this page

Diet

• →Zooplankton, mainly small crustaceans.1,2Sources×Fact from a specialist source · Applies to all regions1ResearchHavforskningsinstituttetNordsjøsild2EncyclopediaStore norske leksikonsildAll sources on this page

Experiences

Tips from people who have fished for Atlantic herring

Sources

What this page is based on

The numbers in the text refer to the sources below. Fishing tips must be confirmed by at least three independent sources. Read about our source requirements.