Angling permit area

5572 Oulankajoki

The Oulankajoki River flows through Oulanka National Park in the region of Kuusamo and Salla. Sought-after prey species in Oulankajoki angling permit area are the grayling and the pike. While trout also run up the Oulankajoki River, Metsähallitus has prohibited fishing for it in this angling permit area for the time being.

In the waters of the Oulankajoki River, on both sides of the Finnish-Russian border, there lives a naturally reproducing population of migratory trout that has managed to preserve its own genotype. These kinds of populations have become rare, and the trout population in the Oulankajoki River is also declining at an alarming rate. On one hand, the health of the population is affected by how well the spawning succeeds and how the fry survive in the river basins on the Finnish side, and on the other by how well the fry are able to reach sexual maturity in their feeding grounds in the lakes on the Russian side.

Map files and brochures

Basic details of the area

Municipality: Kuusamo, Salla
Region: Lappi, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa
Fishing period: 1 June–31 August.
Permitted fishing methods: Casting (fishing with spinning rod), fly fishing
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: Prohibited in running waters
Angling permits for the area: 24 hours, 7 days, youth permit
Targeted catch: Grayling, perch, pike, whitefish
Fisheries management: Natural fish stock (no stockings)
Area characteristics: Located in a national park, wilderness destination
Special features of the area: Destination with excellent hiking services.
Restrictions: Check the restrictions carefully in the permit terms.

What's new

Permits needed for fishing

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 river pools, payment of the fisheries management fee is sufficient.

Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are fully prohibited in running and rapids sections of waters with migratory fish stocks (i.e. also this permit area). In still waters, hook and line fishing and ice fishing are permitted free of charge with one rod.

Please note that the Oulankajoki angling permit area practically comprises of flowing water only.

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.

There area protected areas in the Oulankajoki River. Fishing is prohibited in protected areas.

In the Oulankajoki River the protection areas are as follows:

Kiutaköngäs rapids; Oulankajoki Bridge - Mataraniemi
Taivalköngäs
Mikonmutka; situated at the border of the park upstream of the Oulankajoki River from Savilampi.

In the Savinajoki River the protection areas are as follows:

Savinanköngäs area
Roteriuksenmutka area
Rupakivi area

Anglers must check the borders of the restricted area on the permit area map. The protected areas are marked in the terrain with signs that say Kalastus kielletty (Fishing prohibited).

Services in the area

The Oulankajoki River flows through Oulanka National Park. There are hiking structures, such as campfire sites and trails. For more information about services in the area, please see Luontoon.fi.

Further information

Fisheries management

At the Kiutaköngäs water fall, trout have been transferred over the water fall since 1965. In the summer of 2023, the number of trout transferred amounted to 12.

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.