Angling permit area

2502 Tornionjoki-Muonionjoki-Könkämäeno

The Tornionjoki-Muonionjoki-Könkämäeno river runs from the fells of the north to the Gulf of Bothnia and serves as the border river between Finland and Sweden. It is the longest freely flowing salmon river in all of Europe. The river is approximately 450 kilometres long with variation from rapids only a hundred metres wide to calmer sections a kilometre wide. In addition to salmon, the river is rich in sea trout and grayling.

The joint permit area of Tornionjoki-Muonionjoki-Könkämäeno is popular among both lure and fly fishers. The traditional form of fishing in is salmon trolling without a motor, but there are also great fishing spots on the shore along the river.

See the info map of the joint permit area (infogis.fi/tornionjoki).

Map files and brochures

Basic details of the area

Municipality: Enontekiö, Kolari, Muonio, Pello, Tornio, Ylitornio
Region: Lappi
Fishing period: 16 December–14 September. Salmon fishing is allowed only 9 June–25 August. In addition, there is a weekly 24-hour protection period for salmon. Check the permit terms for any fishing period exceptions.
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: Grayling, perch, pike, sea salmon, whitefish
Fisheries management: Natural fish stock (no stockings)
Area characteristics: Fishing and culture destination, suitable for families, suitable for trolling
Special features of the area: The longest freely flowing salmon river in all of Europe. The traditional form of fishing is salmon trolling, but there are also great fishing spots on the shore along the river.
Restrictions: There are many fishing restrictions in the area, some of which are new for the 2025 season. Check the restrictions carefully in the permit terms.

What's new

Keep in mind in this area

A joint permit may be purchased for fishing in all the water areas in the joint permit area or for fishing in one of the areas.

If you purchase a permit for fishing in all joint permit water areas, you can choose the validity period of the permit to be 24 hours, seven days, or the entire season. A permit for fishing in a single area is always valid for the entire season.

You can obtain a permit for fishing in a single area for the following areas:

area 1 Tornio
area 2 Ylitornio
area 3 Pello
area 4 Kolari
area 5 Muonio
area 6 Enontekiö.

Restrictions and protection periods

The fishing regulations for the permit area are decided annually in intergovernmental discussions. Therefore, the start time for permit sales is announced separately each year.

In 2025, salmon fishing begins on June 9 at 7 PM (Finnish time) and continues until August 15. After this, salmon fishing is allowed with restrictions until August 25. Note also the weekly 24-hour protection period for salmon from Sunday 7 PM to Monday 7 PM (Finnish time).

Note also the new restriction for the 2025 fishing season: a maximum of two salmon can be caught during the season. After this, salmon fishing must be completely stopped.

The restrictions and protection periods are detailed in the permit terms which should be carefully reviewed.

Permit sales may be stopped during the fishing season if fish stocks or conditions require it.

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 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 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. 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.

The rower must also have a valid permit. Rower must also pay the fisheries management fee if they are liable to pay it and they want to fish with a rod or trap on the Finnish side of the border.

A person in the boat who does not participate in fishing does not need a fishing permit.

Persons under 15 years of age do not need a joint permit to fish in the waters of the permit area.

Waters and area-specific restrictions in the permit area

The Lapland ELY Centre, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and the Tornionjoki-Muonionjoki-Könkämäeno joint permit area have come to an agreement concerning lure fishing in Tornionjoki-Muonionjoki-Könkämäeno. The lure fishing joint permit area includes fishery collectives, joint ownership associations and private water area owners.

Always make sure to check the location of the permit area. You can see the info map of the joint permit area in infokartta.fi.

There are many fishing restrictions in the area. Check the permit terms carefully.

Advisory services

Further information on fishing in Tornionjoki-Muonionjoki-Könkämäeno joint permit area is available

online at yhteislupa.com or
by contacting Ilkka Paaso: +358 (0)400 187 954, yhteislupa@gmail.com.

Further information

Fishing in Tornionjoki River

More information about the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite and how to prevent spreading it is provided by the Lapland ELY Centre and Finnish Food Authority (ruokavirasto.fi).

Salmon fishing guidelines

Anglers must always adhere to permit terms, these fishing guidelines as well as the fishing regulations issued by the Finnish and Swedish governments.

If you do not know a river area particularly well, ask local anglers how you can move about safely and fish without disturbing others. Stay safe – the use of life jackets is mandatory.
When coming ashore on a motorboat, navigate via the designated channels. During high water season this channel is usually situated in the middle of the river, but during low water season it can also be elsewhere.
Always avoid steering through good fishing spots with the motor running. Go around other anglers with as much clearance as possible at reduced speed.
Begin fishing from the starting point when it is your turn. Do not cut in line – it only causes unnecessary friction between anglers.
If there are anglers waiting for their turn to row out, beach your boat and wait for your turn. Do not begin fishing below the boats in the waiting zone.
Do not spend too much time fishing at any one spot: it only causes disturbance to other anglers.
Always make way for an angler fighting a hooked fish and remember that a hooked salmon can be up to a few hundred metres away from the angler at the other end. Retrieve your own fishing lines to avoid tangling if necessary.
Only make fire at the designated lean-to shelters and campfire sites on the shores. Do not harm living trees. The lean-to shelters are not intended for camping; they are there for short breathers and breaks.
Do not litter! Take your trash away with you or place them in the designated garbage bags. Waste that may be burned can be disposed of at the campfire sites. Always protect your surroundings; the environment is fragile.
Remember to make a catch report! Read more about the report in permit terms.
Do not get greedy! The supply of salmon is not unlimited and you, together with all the other anglers, are responsible for maintaining a viable salmon stock. Keep in mind that salmon does not stay edible for more than a few months anyway, even in the freezer. The fishing quota on both sides of the border is one salmon/day.

Fisheries management

The TRIWA LIFE project aims to restore biological diversity and natural conditions in several tributaries of the Tornionjoki River. Read more about the TRIWA LIFE project (metsa.fi, in Finnish).