Fiskenes: Nature Reserve and Fishing Village History

Fiskenes is an old fishing village. For planning your trip, the Einlettvatnet Nature Reserve and the history of skrei fishing provide two specific themes: the landscape of the bogs and the former importance of seasonal fishing.

The Einlettvatnet Nature Reserve

The Einlettvatnet Nature Reserve covers about 642 dekar, of which about 277 dekar is water. It protects typical nutrient-poor shallow bogs, which are considered very important for vegetation history research. Both the body of water and the bogs are therefore characteristic of the protected area.

The area, with surrounding bogs in Andøy Municipality in Nordland county, was protected by royal decree on 16 December 1983. The unpartitioned Fiskenes common property is also included in the protected area. The area figures and the research connection help place the natural environment in context beyond the open water.

Outdoor recreation and trail conditions

A large part of the Gammelveien Fiskenes outdoor recreation area lies in the shore zone of the planning area. A municipal plan from 2021 recorded low usage and a moderate experience quality for this area. Gamle Fiskenes is also an accessible sea fishing spot.

The specific trail conditions on Gammelveien should be distinguished from this area. A municipal plan from 2021 describes the trail as little used or unused and identifies the fence at Andøya Air Station as its endpoint. If you would like to include the trail in your travel plans, check the current conditions in advance. This keeps your plans tied to the described trail, rather than applying them to the entire outdoor recreation area.

Skrei and fishing history

The winter arrival of skrei, or Atlantic cod, traditionally provided the people of Fiskenes with their most reliable income. The skrei was hung on racks to dry. It was then sold south to Trondheim or Bergen and transported from there to the continent. This sequence connects the annual fishing cycle with processing and trade, giving the history of the old fishing village a specific economic context.

When choosing your destination, this historical focus is distinct from what is offered today: it describes the traditional importance of skrei to Fiskenes. Together with the nature reserve, it provides a clear way to orient your visit around the landscape and local history.

Andøy as a broader travel context

Fiskenes is part of the broader destination of Andøy. There are other things to see and do there that you can consider when planning your trip, without confusing them with the local features of Fiskenes. In Andenes, visitors can climb the lighthouse stairs on a guided tour; the tour includes an exhibition, history, and views from the top. Check the current tour schedule before your trip.

The large Fembøring Haakon, built in Helgeland in 1880, is displayed at the open-air museum in Risøyhamn. Also within the broader Andøy area is the summer ferry route between Andenes and Gryllefjord on Senja, which runs daily. For this seasonal connection, it is worth checking current departure times before your trip.

Plan your stay around your interests

If you are mainly interested in the natural environment and fishing history, Fiskenes offers two clearly defined points of interest. For a stay that also includes other places and activities on Andøy, you can also consider the broader destination.

Discover more destinations: Nøss, Andenes, Risøyhamn, Dverberg, Andøy

Back to the broader travel overview: Andøy.