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Ivalojoki

The permit area 1567 Ivalojoki will be removed in spring 2024. As of April, it will be replaced by six new angling permit areas: 1581 Ivalojoki, Toloskoski-Appijokisuu, 1582 Ivalojoki Kuttura, 1583 Ivalojoki Lemmenjoki National Park, 1586 Repojoki, 1590 Sotajoki and 1591 Tolosjoki. The pages for the new areas will be published in March.

Permits for 2024 become available on 9 April 2024 at 9 a.m.

Ivalojoki River (Avveeljuuhâ in Inari Sami) is born at the base of the Peltotunturi Fell in the Lemmenjoki National Park in Enontekiö. Almost the entire length of the river (180 km) runs through rugged wilderness and the river finally runs into Lake Inarijärvi.

Ivalojoki is the most important spawning river of Lake Inarijärvi's native brown trout. According to a number of studies, Ivalojoki and its tributaries produce most of the brown trout that return to the lake to feed.

The permit area has been divided into four different zones (pools) with limited number of permits. The number of available permits varies depending on the season.

Ivalojoki

Recreational fishing (angling)
Primarily 1 June – 31 August. Check the permit terms for exceptions.

Permit area map

Ei karttaa tällä hetkellä Lapland, Inari

Purchasing a permit

The number of fishing permits available for the different fishing zones is limited. Please remember to check the availability of fishing permits before your fishing trip.

If you are ordering a permit for more than one person by phone, make sure that you have the addresses and birth dates of all the persons at hand when you make the call. This ensures that the purchase transaction will not be interrupted. 

Zones and number of permits

Zone 1

Zone 1 covers Ivalojoki River from Lappispola to the mouth of Appisjoki River. 

Please note that after June 19th all fishing in Ivalojoki River is prohibited on Mondays.

Number of permits per period in zone 1 are as follows:

period

permit quota

1 June – 18 June

168 fishing days. No daily quota.

20 June – 13 August

20 permits per day.

15 August – 31 August

150 fishing days. Ten (10) permits per day.

Zone 2

Zone 2 begins at the mouth of Appisjoki River and divides into two branches at the mouth of Repojoki River. In southern branch the zone ends at the road bridge and in the northern branch before the bridge.

Please note that after June 19th all fishing in Ivalojoki River is prohibited on Mondays, with the exception of Repojoki River.

Number of permits per period in zone 2 are as follows:

period permit quota
1 June – 25 June 125 fishing days. No daily quota.
26 June – 31 August 402 fishing days. Six (6) permits per day.

Zone 3

Zone 3 covers those parts of Rivers Ivalojoki, Repojoki and Lismajoki that are located in the Lemmenjoki National Park. In this zone fishing is allowed between 1 June and 31 August. Permit quota for zone 3 is 350 fishing days. There is no daily quota.

Please note that after June 19th all fishing in Ivalojoki River is prohibited on Mondays.

Zone 4

Zone 4 covers Rivers Tolosjoki and Sotajoki. In this zone fishing is allowed between 1 July and 31 August. Permit quota for zone 4 is 245 fishing days. There is no daily quota.

PERMIT PRICES AND VALIDITY

In Ivalojoki angling permit area, the customer can choose between a 12-hour or 24-hour permit. Validity begins at midnight or at noon. The prices for angling permits are as follows:

permit validity price
12 hours 12 €
24 hours 20 €

Persons under 18 years of age pay half price for the angling permit.

Persons under 15 years of age may fish in a party with an adult under the adult's angling permit, with the same fishing quota, i.e. they do not require their own angling permit.

 

Where to purchase A permit

 

You can pay licences using the most common payment methods in the online store (verkkokauppa.eraluvat.fi).

 

 

Metsähallitus' fishing permits may also be purchased by phone. The service is open on
weekdays from 9 AM to 3 PM.

 

Ivalo: Ivalon Eräsoppi (hiking and camping store)
Ivalo: Ivalo Customer Service (nationalparks.fi)
Inari: Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida (nationalparks.fi)

Permit terms

Permit terms for the area

Primarily 1 June – 31 August. Check the permit terms for exceptions.

Exceptions to the fishing period

In zone 4 fishing is allowed between 1 July and 31 August.

All fishing in Ivalojoki River is prohibited on Mondays, with the exception of Repojoki River. It is allowed to fish in Repojoki also on Mondays.

Water areas that are not included in this angling permit and regional restrictions

The zones also contain private water areas and other water areas where fishing is prohibited. The Ivalojoki angling permit does not allow fishing in these water areas. Anglers must check the borders of the permit area on the permit area map.

Fishing gear, bait and waste

Lures and flies are permitted.

In the municipalities of Upper Lapland (incl. the Ivalojoki angling permit area) it is prohibited to use bait fish when hook and line fishing, ice fishing or lure fishing. This is to prevent the spread of the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite. To prevent the spread of other parasites, it is recommended to bury the waste after gutting the fish you have caught.

To prevent the spread of the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite, all fishing gear brought in from outside Ivalojoki angling permit area must be completely dry upon arrival or they must be disinfected at a disinfection station before you start fishing. You can disinfect your fishing gear at Inari fish harbour and in the facilities of many tourism companies along the Tana River.

These actions to stop the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite are based on the decree by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Catch quotas

The maximum number of fish that an angler may catch is indicated in the table below: 

fish species maximum catch during 24 hours
Trout 1 fish
Grayling or whitefish 3 fish

There is no fishing quota limit for other fish species.

Catch surveys are sent to anglers after the permit expires. All caught fish must be reported, also those that were released.

Catch sizes and protection periods

The following catch sizes and protection periods for fish species are in effect for this permit area:

Fish species Catch size Protection period
Trout At least 50 cm 1.9.–30.11.*
Grayling At least 30 cm No protection period in this permit area

* During the protection period of trout fishing is not allowed in the permit area.

Fishers must observe the catch sizes and protection periods mandated in the Fishing Decree for other fish species.

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.

Further information

Further information about fishing in Ivalojoki River:

More information about the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite and how to prevent spreading it: Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Lapland and Finnish Food Authority (ruokavirasto.fi).