Question 1

Do I need a fishing license in Finland?

Accepted Answer

Simple rod and line (no reel): free for everyone. Official source: mmm.fi (https://mmm.fi).

Question 2

Where can I buy a fishing permit for Finland?

Accepted Answer

You can buy permits via: National fisheries management fee (eRäluvat (Metsähallitus)); National fisheries management fee (Kalastusluvat); Local/regional fishing permits (eRäluvat (state waters)); No permit needed (Hook and line, ice fishing); No fee needed (Under 18 or over 64).

Question 3

What fish species are common in Finland?

Accepted Answer

Popular target species in Finland include Perch, Pike, Zander, Brown trout, Atlantic salmon. See the species table on this page for sizes, closed seasons and key waters.

Question 4

What are the main fishing rules in Finland?

Accepted Answer

Catch-and-release is permitted. Closed seasons, minimum sizes and bag limits vary by species and water — see the rules tables above.

Question 5

Is catch and release allowed in Finland?

Accepted Answer

Catch and release is generally allowed but rules differ per water and species. Always verify with Maa- ja metsätalousministeriö.

English	Finska	Scientific	FAO	Min size	Closed season	Methods	Key waters
Perch	Ahven	Perca fluviatilis	FPE	—	—	Spin, jig, ice	All lakes
Pike	Hauki	Esox lucius	FPI	40–45 cm	—	Spin, fly, trolling	All lakes, coast
Zander	Kuha	Sander lucioperca	FPP	42 cm	—	Jig, trolling	Large lakes, coast
Brown trout	Taimen	Salmo trutta	TRS	Varies	Varies	Fly, spin	Lapland rivers, lakes
Atlantic salmon	Lohi	Salmo salar	SAL	60 cm (sea)	Varies by river	Fly, trolling	Teno, Tornio, coast
Arctic char	Nieriä	Salvelinus alpinus	ACH	40 cm	—	Fly, spin, trolling	Lapland lakes
Grayling	Harjus	Thymallus thymallus	—	30 cm	15 Apr–31 May (south)	Fly	Northern/central rivers
Whitefish	Siika	Coregonus lavaretus	—	Varies	—	Fly, net, ice	Large lakes, coast
Burbot	Made	Lota lota	—	—	—	Bottom, ice	All lakes
Bream	Lahna	Abramis brama	FBR	—	—	Float, bottom	Southern lakes
European eel	Ankerias	Anguilla anguilla	ELE	BANNED	Year-round	—	Protected
Vendace	Muikku	Coregonus albula	—	—	—	Net, ice	Large lakes
Signal crayfish	Täplärapu	Pacifastacus leniusculus	—	10 cm	Restricted	Traps	Southern lakes

Fishing in Finland

Licenses & permits

Where to buy

General rules

Species-specific rules

Common species in Finland

Frequently asked questions about fishing in Finland

Species	Water	Min size	Bag limit	Closed season	Notes
Salmon	—	60 cm (sea)	Varies by river	Varies	—
Trout (sea)	—	50 cm	—	Varies by area	—
Pike	—	40–45 cm (varies)	—	—	—
Zander	—	42 cm	—	—	—
Grayling	—	30 cm	—	Apr 15 – May 31 (south)	—
Arctic char	—	40 cm (varies)	—	Varies	—
Eel	—	Prohibited	—	Year-round	—