| Nausta | |
| Pushpin Map: | Vestland#Norway |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the river |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Norway |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Vestland |
| Subdivision Type3: | Municipalities |
| Subdivision Name3: | Sunnfjord Municipality |
| Length: | 36km (22miles) |
| Source1: | Inste Langevatnet |
| Source1 Location: | Sunnfjord, Norway |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 61.6217°N 6.2173°W |
| Mouth: | Førdefjorden |
| Mouth Location: | Naustdal, Norway |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 61.506°N 5.7195°W |
| Basin Size: | 227km2 |
Nausta is a river in Sunnfjord Municipality in Vestland county, Norway. It runs through the Naustdal valley to the southwest before emptying into Førde Fjord at the village of Naustdal below Kletten Hill. The 36km (22miles) long river drains a watershed area of about . The river begins at the lake Inste Langevatnet, which sits high up in the mountains at an elevation of above sea level.[1]
The Nausta is a small and medium-sized salmon river. From the old bridge across the Naustdalsfossen waterfall salmon may be observed climbing the falls. Fishing permits may be purchased at the local petrol station or from local landowners. In 2015, the river Nausta was one of the best in Vestland county with an annual catch of over 2000 fish weighing in at a total of 7t.
Salmon travel upstream from the river mouth. The stretch from the fjord to the Hovefoss waterfall is also good for sea trout fishing. The small Redal water system contains small salmon, sea trout, trout and char. Small salmon and sea trout are best caught during floods.
The salmon and sea trout season runs from 1 June until 31 August each year. The landowners have set a limit of catching one salmon under per day.[2]
| Year[3] | Salmon (kg) | Sea Trout (kg) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,902 | 240 | |
| 2005 | 4,698 | 621 | |
| 2004 | 2,859 | 277 | |
| 2003 | 3,120 | 526 | |
| 2002 | 2,910 | 189 |
The record for the largest fish caught in the river Nausta was set in 1946, when a salmon weighing was caught.