Angling permit area

4504 Suomussalmi, state-owned waters

The Metsähallitus' Suomussalmi angling permit area covers more than 19,000 hectares of state-owned waters located within the Suomussalmi fisheries region. The largest water areas are located in Lake Kiantajärvi (over 7,400 hectares), which is known for its diverse fish stocks. Other major fishing waters in the area include Lake Vuokkijärvi and Lake Pesiöjärvi. In addition, the permit area includes over two hundred smaller wilderness lakes and ponds, as well as many kilometers of flowing waters.

All fish species typical to the area are present and reproduce within the permit area. The flowing waters mainly consist of brooks and small rivers, where grayling or trout may be caught. The perch and pike populations in the lakes are strong, and the largest lakes in the area have good pike-perch populations. In Lake Kiantajärvi, you can catch trout or landlocked salmon.

Basic details of the area

Municipality: Kuhmo, Suomussalmi, Taivalkoski
Region: Kainuu, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa
Fishing period: 1 January–31 December
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 with angling permit, prohibited in running waters
Angling permits for the area: 24 hours, 7 days, seasonal permit, youth permit
Targeted catch: Burbot, cyprinids, grayling, landlocked salmon, perch, pike, pike-perch, trout, whitefish
Fisheries management: Fry stocking of natural fish stocks, natural fish stock (no stockings)
Area characteristics: Fly fishers favourite, suitable for families, suitable for trolling, wilderness destination
Restrictions: Carefully check the permit terms for restrictions.

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 lure fishing in sections with rapids and running water. 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.

If you are lure fishing with only one rod and lure in still waters, such as on lakes and in river pools, payment of the fisheries management fee is sufficient. You will also require an angling permit when fishing with multiple rods or lures.

Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are fully prohibited in rapids and running sections of waters with migratory fish stocks. You can refer to Kalastusrajoitus.fi (Fishing Restriction Service) to check waters with migratory fish stocks. In still waters, hook and line fishing and ice fishing are permitted free of charge with one rod. If you are hook and line fishing or ice fishing with more than one rod, you are required 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 in the map window on this page. Enlarge the map window to view the location of the permit area more clearly.

The Suomussalmi angling permit does not grant the right to fish in:

border zone,
private waters,
other Metsähallitus' angling destinations,
joint permit areas,
rental waters with full fishing rights,
specialty waters.

The following waters have their own angling permits, so the 4504 Suomussalmi angling permit does not grant the right to fish in them:

Hossa (permit area 5502)
Yli-Vuokki (permit area 5505)
Korvua-Näljänkäjoki (permit area 5574).

Services in the area

You can find more information about accommodation and tourism services in Suomussalmi at visitsuomussalmi.fi (visitsuomussalmi.fi ).

You can check the location of boat ramps on the Suomussalmi tourism map (infokartta.fi , PDF, 5.15 MB, in Finnish).

Further information

Lakes Kiantajärvi and Vuokkijärvi are regulated to meet the needs of hydropower production. The water level in the lakes therefore varies according to the season, which is important to keep in mind when moving on the lakes.