Lemmenjoki National Park 1508

Permit terms for the area

Fishing period: Calendar year. In rivers and streams all fishing is prohibited between 1 September and 30 November.

When do you need an angling permit

The need for an angling permit is determined by the type of waters and the number of rods and lures you intend to use.

A Lemmenjoki National Park angling permit 1562 is needed when you fish

• with more than one rod or
• in running waters.

This means that fishing with a lure is permitted in running waters when you purchase an angling permit: simply paying the fisheries management fee does not grant the right to fish with a lure. However, hook and line fishing and ice fishing are prohibited in running waters regardless of whether the person has an angling permit or not.

General fishing rights apply to other still waters included in the permit area. This means that you do not need to purchase an angling permit or pay the fisheries management fee for hook and line fishing or ice fishing. Lure fishing with one (1) rod is also permitted in these still water areas for persons who have paid the fisheries management fee or who are under 18 years of age, over 70 years of age or have reached the age of 65 or more by 31 December 2023. 

Water areas that are not included in this angling permit

The Vaskojoki River (downstream from Lake Vaskojärvi) and the stretch of the Lemmenjoki River from Lake Ravadasjärvi to Njurkulahti do not belong to the Lemmenjoki National Park angling permit area 1562.

Parts of a different angling permit area, called Juutuanjoki 1578, are located in Lemmenjoki National Park. This permit area is divided into zones. To fish in these areas, you need to purchase

• an angling permit for zone 6, if you fish between Njurkulahti and Lake Ravadasjärvi.
• an angling permit for zone 5, if you fish in the Vaskojoki River between Lake Vaskojärvi and Kutusuvanto.

The upper reaches of the Ivalojoki, Repojoki and Lismajoki Rivers belong to the Ivalojoki 1567 angling permit area, zone 3.

Fishing in the Kietsimäjoki and Inarijoki Rivers requires the Teno (Tana) River fishing permit (tenonkalaluvat.fi).

Fishing gear, bait and waste

In the municipalities of Upper Lapland (incl. the Lemmenjoki National Park angling permit area) it is prohibited to use bait fish when hook and line fishing, ice fishing or lure fishing. This is to prevent the spread of the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite. To prevent the spread of other parasites, it is recommended to bury the waste after gutting the fish you have caught.

In order to prevent the spread of the Gyrodactylus salaris parasite and Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), fishing gear brought from outside to the Lemmenjoki National Park angling permit area must be completely dry. It is also recommended to disinfect fishing gear at disinfection points before starting fishing. Fishing gear can be disinfected

• at Inari fish harbour,
• in the facilities of many tourism companies along the Tana River and
• at Sevetin Baari in Sevettijärvi.

These actions to stop the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite are based on the decree by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. More information about the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite and how to prevent spreading it: Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Lapland, Finnish Food Authority (ruokavirasto.fi) and Nationalparks.fi.

Making fire and disposing trash

Making a fire in the main area of the national park is only allowed at designated sites. 

Anglers and hikers are responsible for bringing their own trash and waste back from the wilderness to the eco stations. Metsähallitus has been concentrating the waste management of wilderness destinations to waste management stations, or eco stations, situated along the roads leading to the destinations. Rest stops now have fewer garbage bins and Metsähallitus has increased its waste awareness work.

The park's regulations must be adhered to at all times. More information on the rules and regulations of the Lemmenjoki National Park may be found at Nationalparks.fi.

Catch quotas

An angler is allowed to catch a maximum of three (3) trout or grayling within 24 hours. There is no catch quota limit for other fish species.

Catch sizes and protection periods

The following catch sizes and protection periods for fish species are in effect for this permit area:

Species	Catch size	Protection period
Trout	At least 50 cm	In rivers and streams 1 Sept–30 Nov. (All fishing in rivers and streams is prohibited 1 Sept–30 Nov)
Grayling	At least 30 cm	Grayling does not have a protection period in this permit area, but all fishing in rivers and streams is prohibited 1 Sept–30 Nov.

Anglers must observe the catch sizes and protection periods specified in the Fishing Decree for other fish species.

Water temperature has a significant impact on the survival of salmonids after they are released. When water temperatures approach +20 °C, you should use judgement before you decide to fish for salmonids. In waters warmer than this, fishing for salmonids should be avoided. In such situations, it is advisable to focus on species that are more resistant to heat, such as zander, pike and perch. See guidelines for responsible fishing.