Fishing and everyone’s rights

Angling and ice fishing are free of charge for everyone. There is also no charge for herring fishing with a single rod. For other forms of rod fishing, you must pay a fisheries management fee. If you have several rods, you also need a fishing permit.

Everyone is free to go angling and ice fishing, except in rapids and streams in waters that are important for migratory fish and certain other areas where fishing is not permitted. For information on such areas, visit the Kalastusrajoitus.fi service.

Lure fishing with a single rod is permitted everywhere in Finland once you have paid the state fisheries management fee. Rapids and streams in waters important for migratory fish and certain other areas where fishing is not permitted are an exception. Proceeds from fisheries management fees are used to secure opportunities for fishing and to manage fishing waters and fish stocks. They are also used to supervise fishing and provide advice to fishers. To pay the fisheries management fee, go to eraluvat.fi.

Those aged under 18 or over 70 do not have to pay the state fisheries management fee. Fishers who turned 65 before the old Fishing Act expired on 31 December 2023 may also continue to fish without paying the fisheries management fee.

For other types of fishing, including the use of traps and nets and for catching crayfish, you must get a fishing permit in addition to paying the state fisheries management fee. You also need a fishing permit for lure fishing if you use more than one rod or reel at a time. A fishing permit gives you the right to fish in a certain water area. These permits are sold by the owner of the water area, for example its joint property management association. Permits for state-owned waters can be purchased from Metsähallitus.

Read more on external sites:
Fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi)
Kalastusrajoitus.fi

Photo: iStockphoto Natalia Sokko