A River That Works Its Way Forward

The name Orkla likely derives from the Old Norse verb orka, meaning "to work" — evoking "the river that works its way forward." The river begins at 1,058 metres elevation in the lake Orkelsjøen near the Dovrefjell mountains in Oppdal, then traces a 179-kilometre course northward through the Orkdalen valley before reaching the Trondheimsfjorden at Orkanger. Along the way, it passes through four municipalities and absorbs tributaries like the Inna, Byna, Grana, Ya and Svorka.↗

Five hydroelectric reservoirs built between 1978 and 1985 regulate the flow, preventing the severe seasonal flooding that once characterised the river. This regulation means fishing conditions are more predictable than in unregulated Norwegian rivers — water levels and salmon runs are less at the mercy of snowmelt and rainfall, which anglers consider a practical advantage.↗↗

Salmon Fishing

The Orkla holds national salmon river status — a protected designation in Norway recognising its importance for wild Atlantic salmon populations. The anadromous stretch spans from the tidal mouth at Orkanger up to Stoin near Ulsberg in Rennebu, covering 88 kilometres. The fishing season typically runs from 1 June to 31 August.↗↗

There are 39 fishing beats managed by around 420 rights holders organised under Orkla Fellesforvaltning, the joint management body. The river's record salmon weighed 25 kg, and fish around 20 kg are landed each season. All legal tackle — dry fly, wet fly, spinner and bait — is permitted depending on the specific beat rules.↗↗↗

Several operators in Rennebu offer combined fishing and accommodation packages. Grøtte Gård draws salmon anglers from across Norway and abroad each year. Nersetra Fjellgård and Grindal Salmon Lodge are other established options. For a quieter experience, Nesjan laksevald — a working farm right on the river's west bank just north of Voll — offers 900 metres of fishable water with up to five rods per day and a self-catering cottage where you can watch salmon rising from the window.

Beyond Fishing

Rennebu municipality holds over 160 mountain and lowland lakes with trout and char fishing, plus miles of waterways beyond the main river. The Orklaguiden resource lists all fishing rights holders and beats for those wanting to explore further.↗

The Trollheimen mountain range sits approximately 15 minutes' drive from the river at Rennebu, offering some of Norway's finest hiking with iconic mountain cabins like Trollheimshytta, Gjevilvasshytta and Jøldalshytta. A stay on the Orkla river easily combines still-water fishing with alpine trekking.↗

For those who simply want to experience the river without a rod, the Orkla valley through Rennebu is a quiet corridor of farmland, scattered forest and gentle rapids — a landscape that rewards walking, cycling along riverside tracks, or watching the light shift over the water at dusk.↗

Getting There and Visiting

The Orkla at Rennebu is reachable by road from Trondheim (approximately 80 km southwest) or from the Dovrefjell area to the east. Berkåk has a railway station on the Dovre Line between Trondheim and Dombås, and some fishing operators like Nesjan offer shuttle pick-ups by arrangement.↗↗

Fishing licences are available through online platforms such as Elveguiden. Each beat sets its own rules regarding catch-and-release, methods and time windows, so checking specific beat regulations before arriving is advisable. The river is monitored actively by Orkla Fellesforvaltning, which publishes real-time water levels to help anglers plan their visits.↗↗↗

Visiting outside the salmon season (June–August) reveals a different character: the river runs high and fast through autumn rain, and the valley takes on a stark, wide-open northern beauty under low winter light.