Angling permit area

1401 Käsivarsi-Tarvanto

The Käsivarsi-Tarvanto angling permit area covers the entire Käsivarsi Wilderness Area, bordering on the Hietavuoma mire conservation area in Karesuvanto. The north-west corner of the Käsivarsi area is home to the only large fell area in Finland and has some of the best waters to fish char and grayling. The majority of fish found in Northern Lapland are found in the area.

In addition to Lake Kilpisjärvi, the most important lakes for fishing char in the Kilpisjärvi area are Lakes Koddejärvi, Pihtsusjärvi, Toskaljärvi and Luohtojärvi. Lake Saanajärvi is also an excellent destination for ice fishing char. The lakes in the area are located at the altitude of 600–1,000 metres, which means that weather conditions may be demanding and can change rapidly.

The Käsivarsi fell area, which is part of the permit area, starts immediately at Kilpisjärvi. Several tourism operators organise guided fishing and transport services for the best fishing sites in the area. The vicinity of the Kilpisjärvi village also has plenty of great sites that are accessible by hiking or skiing. There is one long marked hiking trail in the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area, the Kalottireitti Trail. Following the trail leads visitors to many fishing waters.

Map files and brochures

Basic details of the area

Municipality: Enontekiö
Region: Lappi
Fishing period: 1 January–31 December. The river and stream waters are protected between 1 September and 30 November, so fishing is prohibited during that time.
Permitted fishing methods: Casting (fishing with spinning rod), fly fishing, hook and line fishing, ice fishing, trolling
Required permits and fees: Angling permit, fisheries management fee. The need depends on the number of rods and lures or the water area. Always check "Permits needed for fishing".
Hook and line fishing and ice fishing: Permitted free of charge in still waters, permitted in the special waters of the area with angling permit, prohibited in running waters
Angling permits for the area: 24 hours, seasonal permit, youth permit
Targeted catch: Arctic char, grayling, perch, pike, trout, whitefish
Fisheries management: Natural fish stock (no stockings)
Area characteristics: Wilderness destination
Special features of the area: Käsivarsi area is home to the only large fell area in Finland. Several tourism operators organise guided fishing and transport services for the best fishing sites in the area.
Restrictions: Check the restrictions carefully in the permit terms.

What's new

Keep in mind in this area

The number of angling permits is limited. Please check the availability of permits beforehand.

Familiarize yourself with the fishing regulations of the fisheries area

You can find the fishing regulations (kalastusrajoitukset) for the Enontekiö fisheries area on the Enontekiö fisheries area’s website (enontekionkalatalousalue.fi ) (in Finnish).

Permits needed for fishing

The need for an angling permit depends on the type of waterbody and how many rods and lures you will use.

In this permit area, you will need an angling permit when fishing

with more than one rod or lure,
in sections with running water or
in special still waters where general fishing rights do not apply.

You will also be required to pay the fisheries management fee, unless you are under 18 years of age, over 70 years of age, or are 65 years of age or older as of 31 December 2023. The fisheries management fee is not required if you are hook and line fishing or ice fishing with only one rod. If you are hook and line fishing or ice fishing with multiple rods, you are required to purchase an angling permit and pay the fisheries management fee.

You are permitted to lure fish in sections with running water, provided that you purchase an angling permit - paying the fisheries management fee alone is not sufficient. Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are fully prohibited in rapids and running sections of waters with migratory fish stocks (i.e. also this permit area) whether you have an angling permit or not.

You are permitted to lure fish in special waters, provided that you purchase an angling permit - paying the fisheries management fee alone is not sufficient for these waters. In addition, you will always require an angling permit when hook and line fishing and ice fishing in special waters. Special waters are marked on the PDF map of the permit area and as a restricted area in the map window on this page and on Excursionmap.fi.

General fishing rights apply to other still waters included in the permit area. This means that you will only have to pay the fisheries management fee when lure fishing with one rod and lure. When fishing with more than one rod and lure, you will also need to purchase an angling permit. You will not need to purchase an angling permit or pay the fisheries management fee when hook and line fishing and ice fishing with one rod in these still water areas. If you are hook and line fishing or ice fishing with more than one rod, you will need to purchase an angling permit and pay the fisheries management fee.

Waters and area-specific restrictions in the permit area

Always make sure to check the location of the permit area. Please see either the map window or the PDF map on this page. Enlarge the map window to view the location of the permit area more clearly.

All fishing is prohibited in following waters:

Saitsijoki River, between Lätäseno-Saitsijärvi
Vuoskujoki River, between Könkämäeno-Vuoskunjärvi

The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY) has issued the decision on restricting general fishing rights.

Special water areas within this angling permit area

Fishing in following special water areas is allowed with the angling permit 1401 Käsivarsi-Tarvanto:

Lake Luohtojärvi
Lake Toskaljärvi
Two ponds located southwest of Lake Ailakkajärvi (Marjajärvi and Bearačielggejávri)
In addition, ice fishing without an angling permit is prohibited in the Siedjonjoki River and Kaitsajoki Rivers by decision of the ELY Centre for Lapland. More information is available in the Kalastusrajoitus.fi map service (in Finnish).

Fishing in Kilpisjärvi Lake

The Käsivarsi-Tarvanto angling permit grants the right to fish in Lake Kilpisjärvi only in Finland.

According to the agreement between Finland and Sweden, trolling using baitfish and planer boards are prohibited in Lake Kilpisjärvi.

In Lake Kilpisjärvi the minimum catch size for char is 40 cm.

Water areas that are not included in this angling permit

Angling permit Käsivarsi-Tarvanto 1401 does not entitle you to fish in the following water areas even though they are in Enontekiö:

Könkämäeno and Muonionjoki Rivers (permit area 2502)
Lätäseno River (permit area 1423)
Poroeno River (permit area 1432)
Toriseno Rivers up until the mouth of the Vuontisjoki River (permit area 1426)
Hietajoki River up until the mouth of the Puusasjoki River (permit area 1436)

The Käsivarsi-Tarvanto angling permit does not grant the right to fish in private waters.

Services in the area

Information about tourism services in Enontekiö is available on the website:

Enontekiö Lapland (enontekiolapland.com).

The area offers outdoor services such as campfire sites and open wilderness huts.

You can search for more information and hiking destinations in this area at Luontoon.fi.

Further information

Impact of water temperature on fishing

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.