Fishing

Common fishing rights and the fisheries management fee 

Angling with a hook and line, ice-fishing and herring fishing with a rig are so called common fishing rights, and they are free of charge. For all other types of fishing, you need to pay the fisheries management fee. However, individuals under 18 and those aged 70 and over are exempt from this fee. 

The fisheries management fee entitles you to lure fishing using one rod, reel and lure in the whole of Finland, except Åland islands or areas where fishing is prohibited. You can check prohibited areas at the website Kalastusrajoitus.fi.  
 
The fisheries management fee is available for purchase as a yearly, weekly, or daily permit. Purchase the fisheries management fee on the website eraluvat.fi, in the Eräluvat app, or by calling Metsähallitus’ toll-free service number +358 20 69 2424, weekdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

Check fishing permit table here.

Local fishing permits 

For other fishing methods than lure fishing (nets and traps, as well as crayfishing) and for fishing with more than one rod fishers need to pay the fishing management fee as well as have permission by the water owner (local fishing permit). 
 
Local fishing permits are available for purchase for the City of Loviisa’s water areas, covering over 4,000 hectares, as well as for the Forsby fishing park. Information about sales points can be found on the city’s website (info only in Finnish and Swedish).  
 
Metsähallitus sells permits for angling and for fishing with other gear in its water areas within the fishing region; the area around Orrengrund is the largest. Information about the areas and regulations can be found on the Eräluvat website, where permits can also be purchased.  

The Sarvlaks joint property management association sells fishing permits for its waters, covering just under 640 hectares (see map), to shareholders, commercial fishers, and recreational anglers. Fishing is not permitted in the water area around Hamnholmen and Vastamaa, as it is largely a nature reserve. Read more (only in Finnish and Swedish) 

Keep your fishing permits with you! 

Keep the receipts for your fishing licenses with you when fishing, as well as your ID. You have to show them to the fishing supervisor upon request. 

Fishing supervision 

Fishing is supervised by fishing supervisors and various authorities, including the Police, the Finnish Border Guard, Metsähallitus, the ELY Centre, and Customs.  

The fisheries region also has its own fishing supervisors. You are welcome to contact them if you have questions regarding fishing rules. 

Eastern part of the fisheries region kaunissaarenkala(at)gmail.com 

Western part of the fisheries region timo.salmia(at)tsacon.com 

Remember to keep your permits with you, as well as your ID, when fishing and show them to the authority or fishing supervisor upon request. 

For minor offenses, the fishing supervisor can issue a warning. In the case of more significant offenses, the matter is referred to the police, who may issue fines or forward the case to the prosecutor. For an unpaid fisheries management fee, the penalty is always a fixed petty fine (100 euros). 

Report your catches! 

As of January 1, 2025, it is mandatory for recreational fishers to report their catch if it is a salmon, lake salmon, trout, eel, char (in Kuolimo, Saimaa, Vuoksen), grayling or pink salmon. The catch must be reported within 14 days, even if the fish has been released back into the water. The report can be submitted via the Omakala app, by e-mail or by phone. 

More detailed information can be found here.