Neuromodulation by the locus coeruleus (LC) plays a crucial role in cognitive processes related to learning, as well as memory consolidation (DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-0360-9). Less is known about its role in memory retrieval. In this study, we explored this aspect following training of adult rats over a period of multiple days in an 8-arm radial maze to achieve robust spatial working memory (WM) and reference memory (RM) of the task. We then examined the consequence of patterned electrophysiological activation of the LC on the retrieval of recent (24h after the conclusion of training) or remote (4 weeks after the conclusion of training) memory.We observed that LC stimulation during recent memory retrieval impaired RM, but not WM. However, RM was restored one day later without further interventions. The latter effects were frequency-dependent and abolished by intracerebral beta-adrenergic receptor (β-AR), but not D1/D5 receptor-antagonism. LC stimulation during remote memory retrieval improved both RM and WM, with effects also being distinctly frequency-dependent. These results suggest that the interference by LC activation on recent memory retrieval may have resulted from LC-mediated redirected attention, given that recent reference memory has returned to pretesting levels one day later. LC-mediated β-AR-dependent improvements of both WM and RM of remote memory indicate that state-dependent noradrenaline release from the LC may support the persistency of spatial memory.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 1280/A04, project number: 316803389).