Kotala Rapids contain two separate areas, Kituskoski and Vehmas-Koskelankoski. Kituskoski Rapids are reserved for fly fishing only and will give you a taste of the wilderness in the shade of an old-growth forest. Here you can enjoy nature and visit the native forests of Martti Kitunen, a famous bear hunter, on the banks of magnificent, free-flowing rapids.
A skilled fisher can catch a trout or a grayling in the eddies of the rapids. If you feel like taking a break from fishing, you can brew coffee over an open fire in the hut or walk the nature trail in the nearby old-growth forest.
You can check the real-time temperature of the water in Kituskoski during the snow-free season in the SensorMonitor service (map.sensormonitor.fi).
1 December–31 August. Wading is prohibited between 1 December and 15 May.
21.7.2025
Starting Monday, July 21, Metsähallitus will suspend fishing permit sales for the following sites: Langinkoski, Latokartanonkoski, Karvionkoski, Keihärinkoski, Kolima–Keitele rapids route, Konnuskoski, Kotala Rapids and Irninjoki. Water temperatures at these locations have risen to critical levels for salmonids. Customers are advised to cancel any permits purchased in advance.
16.7.2025
The cool summer has turned into a heatwave, and water temperatures are rising rapidly. Warm waters are stressful for salmonids, and they may not recover after being released. Metsähallitus therefore recommends avoiding fishing for salmonids and instead targeting species that tolerate heat better.
28.4.2025
The Eräluvat customer service will be exceptionally open until 4 PM on April 30th. In May, the customer service will be closed on the 15th and 16th.
The number of anglers is restricted. No more than ten persons may fish simultaneously at Kituskoski Rapids and ten at Vehmas-Koskelankoski Rapids.
Permits for these two rapids are sold separately. Please check in advance whether permits are available for the desired time period.
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 Kotala Rapids angling permit area practically comprises of flowing water only.
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.
Kotala Rapids permit area contains two separate areas: Kituskoski and Vehmas-Koskelankoski. Permits for these two areas are sold separately. Only fly fishing is allowed at Kituskoski Rapids.
Kotala Rapids has campfire sites and lean-to shelters available for anglers and hikers.
Kotala General Store is located at Vironkoskentie 72, 42870 Kotala.
The rapids are mainly stocked with spawn or fry of trout. Development of the fish stock is monitored using electric pulse fishing.
Up-to-date information on the water level and flow situation in Lake Kitusjärvi is available at www.ymparisto.fi (in Finnish).
You can monitor the real-time temperature of the water in Kituskoski during the snow-free season in the SensorMonitor service (map.sensormonitor.fi). Read the Guidelines for responsible fishing to know more about how you can take high temperatures into account when fishing. On this site you can also find information on possible suspensions of permit sales as temperatures rise.
Call cost €0.00/min + mobile charge/local network rate
Veijo Honkanen
Jyväskylä
Heikki Taipale
Orivesi
Permits are sold for the period:7.1.–31.8.2025, 1.12.–31.12.2025
Permits are sold for the period:7.1.–31.8.2025, 1.12.–31.12.2025
