Early texts about lake Øyeren tell of a bustling wildlife and an area for thousands of migratory birds. "Wild geese", "wild ducks" and snipes visited the area for several weeks every spring and autumn, and whooper swans often overwintered in the lake. In "Fetvisa" from the year 1735, 15 different species of fish are mentioned.
Farming
The various islands in lake Øyeren belong to specific farms around the lake. Agriculture is run here now as before, but the method of use has changed. Until the 50's it was harvesting hay and grazing that dominated. New machines have now been added to simplify the work for the farmer, and the islands are mostly used for grazing to keep the cultural landscape open.
Gathering, fishing and hunting
In the past, hunting and gathering natural resources was a significant part of the livelihood for farmers around lake Øyeren.
Until the 60s, there was active fishing in Øyeren, and there were seasons and specific fishing methods for the various fish species. Burbot was fished with fyke nets or was caught by hitting a wooden club on the ice so the fish fainted. Then they cut holes in the ice and picked up the fish. The common bream was fished with fyke nets, and the live fish was stored in the well on the farm until it was ready to be eaten, while common roach was salted in barrels. The northern pike was fished when the water was cold because it was thought that it deteriorated when the water got warmer.
Common whitefish fishing was important in Øyeren. The nets were set for a week at a time, and fish was picked from the net every day. Within a week, one net could give 70-80 fish. Whitefish from Øyeren was transported and sold on the market in both Lillestrøm and Kristiania(Oslo).
Hunting in Øyeren was mainly conducted by landowners who had a permit for this. Snipe, ducks, geese, hares and roe deer were hunted on the islands. Eurasian teals were caught in nets or by sneaking up on the bird and throwing the jacket over it.
The right to roam - outdoor recreation
Outdoor life was largely an activity for rich people, those who had free time. For ordinary people, what we associate with outdoor recreation today was work for them. It was necessary to go out into the woods to cut timber and forage berries and mushrooms. Hunting and fishing were necessary to secure the food supply. Although recreation in and around Øyeren was important in the past, with many cabins and moorings, it was only the beginning of today's outdoor recreation as we know it.
Outdoor recreation gradually became an important part of people's lives, and in 1959 a separate law was passed, the Outdoor Recreation Act, for the use of the nature around us. Under this law you can find The right to roam, which among other things, states that everyone can travel and stay in the open country (or unfenced land) and reap the benefits of nature, as long as this is done considerately.