Anyone who has ever fished in this country knows that fishing stories come true here. Visiting Finland and not going fishing is an unforgivable mistake.
What kind of fish can you find in Finland? Sea and lake salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, grayling, pike perch, whitefish, pike, perch, bream, char... It’s hard to find better fishing than on the shores of the sea, lakes, rapids and river rifts.
But the Russian permissiveness: wherever he wanted, he caught it, whatever he wanted, he caught it, taking the entire catch, does not work in Finland. In Finland they take very good care of their fisheries, and therefore there is a system of restrictions and prohibitions on fishing, without knowing which you can easily run into a fine.
How to avoid getting a fine while fishing in Finland?
If the rod without a reel, spinner, artificial bait and all the gear is within the reach of the fisherman, then you can fish absolutely freely on any lake or river. Photo: ansik/flickr.com/ccby2.0
As you know, fishing begins with gear. And she is the first to come to the attention of Finnish fish inspectors. If the rod without a reel, spinner, artificial bait and all the gear is within the reach of the fisherman, then you can fish absolutely freely on any lake or river.
But if you have a spinning rod with a spoon, fly or other bait in your hands, then you need to pay state and regional fees associated with the restoration of fish stocks. This rule applies to all fishermen aged 18 to 64 years: other age categories fish for free.
The annual state fee in 2021 is 45 euros, and the weekly one is 15 euros. In addition, you need to pay a regional fee that allows you to use one rod and reel. It is 31 euros per year or 7 euros for seven days. Both licenses can be purchased at any Finnish post office or kiosks (R-kioski) or you can transfer money to your Nordea bank account online. Moreover, each license is personal, it cannot be transferred to another person and must always be carried with you. The fish inspector can “catch” you on the water or shore at any time to check it.
The most interesting thing is that not only a fish inspector, but any Finnish fisherman can do this. Russians say that very often, while fishing, ordinary Finnish citizens swim up to them, who, having noticed a stranger on their lake, are interested in whether the stranger has a fishing permit or not. So be prepared to meet such vigilant Finns.
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Having an open Schengen visa and an offer from St. Petersburg friends to go fishing, we went to Finland. For my husband and I, this was our first trip to Europe by car. We were lucky - we crossed the border incredibly quickly. The roads in Finland are gorgeous. And so we arrived in the picturesque place of Punkaharju on the shores of Lake Saimaa.
The season had not yet started, so there were almost no people in Punkaharju. The cottage for 6 people is not particularly spacious, but quite comfortable. We paid about 100 euros for 1 night (2013), which is mere pennies for 6 people. The cottage consists of a living room, two tiny rooms, an attic, a kitchen, a corridor, a bathroom and a sauna, and a terrace. It has everything you need for a comfortable life: dishes, household appliances, various kitchen utensils, dishwasher, bed linen, towels, shower, small sauna.
The bedrooms, of course, cannot be called very comfortable - rather, they are sleeping places)). Two rooms are isolated: one of them has two single beds, the other has a bunk bed. In fact, there is no third room - another couple is located in the attic on a makeshift bed).
There are many options for accommodation on the territory: from small trailer houses (camping) to cottages and luxury apartments.
We rented a boat and bought a fishing license. There is a special room on site for cutting fish. In general, everything is for people. Fish (mainly pike) are caught here with a bang, even I, a person who held a fishing rod in my hands for the first time, managed to catch something :)). Of course, boat rides, especially at sunset, are very romantic... silence, calm and tranquility. And the air is so fresh...
The ecology here is such that you can drink water even from the lake)). Indeed, the water in the lake is like a tear. By the way, tap water is used as drinking water; no filters are needed.
It was not very hot (early June), but we still opened the swimming season, despite the cool water.
One day we went to Savonlinna, where the Swedish fortress Olavinlinna is located. It’s strange, but we never went to the restaurant in Punkaharju - we bought too much food in the supermarket and cooked it ourselves. I heard that the food there is very tasty.
On the way back, not far from the border, there is an excellent supermarket where you can buy fish, caviar, any food and household goods of European quality.
Yes, we bought very tasty pickled cucumbers there, well, I’ve never eaten anything like that anywhere. We received incredible pleasure from the trip. We spent only 4 days here, but it felt like we were on vacation for 2 weeks. And such an unusual format of vacation for my husband and I - without tours, planes, hotels and crowds of tourists. And of course, it’s always more fun in the company of friends.
Some Finnish fishing laws
Many bodies of water have local requirements for the minimum size of fish caught. Failure to comply with this rule entails immediate deprivation of the right to fish “hunt”. Photo: Diles/ flickr.com/ccby2.0
Alas, the “fish” restrictions do not end there. Fishing within 50 meters of coastal buildings, marked nets and meshes is prohibited. You can swim in bodies of water, but you can’t land on someone else’s shore. In addition, you should always release small fish back into the water: salmon and trout less than 50 cm, grayling - 40 cm, pike perch - 37 cm. Many reservoirs have local requirements for the minimum size of fish caught. Failure to comply with this rule entails immediate deprivation of the right to fish “hunt”.
In addition, there are general terms for prohibiting fishing. For example, from September 11 to November 15, it is prohibited to catch salmon, trout, and brown trout on river rapids, streams, and sea channels. And crayfish and spotted crayfish are protected from November 1 to July 21. There are also fishing bans for specific places. True, in some fishing areas in Finland you can fish all year round. For example, the fast rivers of Central and Southern Finland remain open throughout the year, so fly fishing can be done here even in winter.
Serious fishing in the northern country
There are many so-called “special fishing zones” in Finland for interesting and serious fishing. As a rule, these are equipped places where there is parking and a covered carport, a boat launching area, firewood, places for cleaning fish and a smokehouse. The rapids of the lower reaches of rivers flowing into the sea are especially popular. Here they catch, for example, sea salmon rising from the sea, the weight of which can reach more than 20 kg.
It is clear that for the pleasure of being the happy owner of such a trophy, you will also have to buy an additional license from the local fish cooperative. For example, a 12-hour daytime fishing trip at the mouth of the Kumijoki River costs 17 euros, and night fishing is even more expensive - 22 euros, since the bite is better at night. The moon, silence, a wooden pier and a flashlight on your forehead to watch the process – what’s not romantic?
There are unspoken rules in fishing zones that Russian fishermen are sometimes unaware of. For example, if a piercing cry from one of the Finnish fishermen is heard: “Kala!”, it means that it is time to literally “reel in the fishing rods.” That is, one of the fishermen hooked a fish, and in order to pull it ashore, the other fishermen needed to reel in their fishing lines, and someone would help them get the difficult catch out of the water with a net.
In recent years, a type of fishing called trolling has been gaining popularity in Finland. Its essence is fishing from a moving motor boat. From one to ten rods with a spoon are inserted into special devices, which are grabbed by salmon, pike, trout, and pike perch. Moreover, not only in the sea, but also on large lakes. Moreover, if your boat is larger than normal dimensions, then it must be registered with the Finnish magistrate.
Seasonal fishing in Finland
In the fall, large salmon that enter the rivers to spawn, as well as giant pike, are caught. This predator begins its autumn feeding season and actively hunts near reeds or in pits. Photo: Diles/ flickr.com/ccby2.0
Finland is attractive because you can fish here almost all year round. In late spring and summer, all types of fish typical for Finland are caught well with a fishing rod. For example, roach, bream and other carp. Trolling for salmon in the open sea is especially successful from late May to July, and for pike perch in June and July. In August, crayfish fishing begins with special traps, which also require a license. But autumn is the time for “trophy fishing”. At this time, large salmon entering the rivers to spawn, as well as giant pike, are caught. This predator begins its autumn feeding season and actively hunts near reeds or in pits.
As soon as the rivers are covered with the first ice, fishermen go out to “hunt” for perch, which is the “national fish of Finland.” Finns love to catch it because perch is found throughout the country and bites well all winter, especially on the first and last ice. Popular fishing competitions are held every year: the fisherman who catches the largest perch receives a prestigious Ford car as a gift. But January and February evenings are good for catching burbot, which loves cold water and spawns in winter.
Fishing spots in Finland
Fishing in Imatra
Imatra is a small town in Finland, located on the Karelian Isthmus, in its northern part. It is very close to the Russian border and only 7 km to the nearest Russian city of Svetogorsk.
The city has almost no attractions, but it is attractive for fishermen with the Vuoksa River flowing through it, which does not freeze in winter, and Lake Saimaa, the largest in Finland. The latter is a series of separate small bodies of water, separated from each other by many (more than 14 thousand) islands. The lake has the purest water, it is surrounded by wonderful nature, and many different species of fish live in it.
In Imatra, cottages and special fishing parks have been built for fishermen. There are many fishing spots here: the Vuoksa River and many lakes located near the settlement. Here you can buy a fishing tour at any time of the year and be content with hunting for perch, pike - fish that are active all year round. But for trolling lovers, it is better to visit Lake Saimaa in the spring, when there is the greatest chance of catching trout and trophy salmon.
Fishermen who love ice fishing also come to Imatra. For example, fishing in Finland in October in this region is possible from the ice on the bay, which is located next to the city pool.
Services for organizing fishing in Imatra are provided by fishing parks: “Vuoksen Kalastuspuisto” (center of Imatra, island “Varpasaari”, bank of the Vuoksa River), “Kuokkalammen Lohi” (25 km from Imatra, you can fish for salmon there without a license), “Korpikeidas” (people come here to catch salmon in a non-freezing reservoir).
Fishing in Kotka
Kotka attracts domestic fishermen with its large reservoirs, which are very rich in fish, and its relatively short (268 km) distance from St. Petersburg. The city is full of shops and shops with fishing goods, where you can buy the most popular gear, baits, and accessories at “ridiculous” (relative to our domestic) prices.
The city of Kotka (translated as “Eagle”) is located in the southern part of Finland, on a peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Finland. Fishing lovers come here to go fishing in one tour of sea and river fishing.
River paid fishing in Kotka is organized on the Kymijoki River, which is replete with rapids and trophy fish. Trout, brown trout, and salmon reign in the reservoir. The main method of catching them is fly fishing, although fishing with a spinning rod is also successful. By visiting this river, you can hope to catch salmon weighing 10 kilograms or more.
Fishing spots on the Kymijoki River:
- the Kokonkoski rapids, where you can catch salmon passing into the upper reaches from July;
- the Tattarinkoski area, where row fishing “reigns”; The section of the river here is calm, there are many depth changes, boulders, rocks; fishermen often catch brown trout here;
- Korkeakoski area near the hydroelectric power station; Here they also fish from a boat, catching whitefish and large salmon;
- the Langinkoski area, where the river passes, just beyond the threshold, into the sea; The place is considered the best in Finland for trout fishermen
Sea fishing near Kotka is organized mainly for groups of fishermen from one boat and with the presence of an instructor. The latter will help you find a suitable place among the numerous skerries, bays, bays, islands, of which there are a lot in the region. If you have money, you can go on your own with a huntsman.
In the sea there is a high probability of catching pike perch, pike, and salmon; Moreover, these fish, as a rule, come across large, trophy sizes.
