Kotala Rapids 6550
Kotala rapids contain two separate permit areas, one of which is reserved for fly fishing only. The fishing site at Kituskoski rapids, in particular, 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).
Purchasing a permit
Purchasing Information
Permits for 2024 become available on 8 January 2024 at 9 a.m.
Angling permits are sold separately for the Kituskoski and Vehmas-Koskelankoski rapids even though they both belong to Kotala Rapids angling permit area. A maximum of 10 people can fish simultaneously in Kituskoski and the same maximum of 10 persons applies to Vehmas-Koskelankoski.
In Kotala Rapids angling permit area, the customer can choose between a validity period of 6 hours, 12 hours or 24 hours.
Individual angling permit
| validity | Price | Validity begins at |
|---|---|---|
| 6 hours | 25 € | 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, or 18:00 |
| 12 hours | 30 € | 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, or 18:00 |
| 24 hours | 40 € | 18:00 |
Anglers under 18 years of age pay half price.
Reserving the entire rapids
You can reserve the entire rapids by purchasing 10 individual angling permits in the web shop.To reserve the entire rapids for groups of more than 10 anglers, you must call the Eräluvat phone service.
The names of the people who will participate in the fishing must be provided in conjunction with the permit reservation.
Kituskoski and Vehmas-Koskelankoski are reserved separately.
| validity | Price | Validity begins at |
|---|---|---|
| 6 hours | 250 € | 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, or 18:00 |
| 12 hours | 300 € | 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, or 18:00 |
| 24 hours | 400 € | 18:00 |
If the group includes more than 10 anglers, the price of a permit for each additional person is the same as the price of an individual permit, in other words, 25, 30 or 40 euros depending on the validity of the permit.
- Buy licence from web store
- Catch reports
-
Service number 020 69 2424 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–3 PM)
Licence sellers
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.
Permit terms
Permit terms for the area
1 December–31 August. Wading is prohibited between 1 December and 15 May.What does the permit entitle the holder to
Angling permit 6550 is required for all lure fishing in Kotala Rapids angling permit area. Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are prohibited in rapids and running waters where there are migratory fish routes regardless of whether the person has an angling permit or not.
Southern Finland 7413 angling permit issued by Metsähallitus does not allow fishing in the waters of Kotala Rapids angling permit area.
Fishing gear and bait
An angler may only use one (1) rod with a single line.
Use of natural baits, such as worms, shrimps, bait paste or similar, is prohibited in Kotala Rapids angling permit area.
Only traditional fly fishing is allowed at Kituskoski. Both lure and fly fishing are permitted at Vehmaskoski and Koskelankoski.
Catch quotas
The size of the catch quota depends on the validity of the permit. The maximum number of fish that an angler may catch is indicated in the table below:
| Permit validity | Maximum catch |
|---|---|
| 6 hours | 1 trout or grayling |
| 12 hours | 1 trout or grayling |
| 24 hours | 2 trout or grayling |
There is no fishing quota limit for other fish species.
Regardless of how many permits you have purchased, catching more than two trouts or graylings during a 24-hour period is prohibited. The permitted catch during a 24-hour period is
- 2 trouts
- 1 trout and 1 grayling
- 2 graylings
Catch sizes and protection periods
The following catch sizes and protection periods for fish species are in effect for this permit area:
| species | Catch Size | Protection period |
|---|---|---|
| Trout with adipose fin | Fish of all sizes must be released | Year-round |
| Trout without adipose fin | At least 50 cm | In rapids and running waters 1.9.–30.11. |
| Grayling | At least 35 cm | 1.4.–31.5. |
Anglers must observe the catch sizes and protection periods specified 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
Services in the area
Kotala Rapids has campfire sites and lean-to shelters available for anglers and hikers.
Kotala General Store is located at Vironkoskentie 72, 42870 Kotala.
Fisheries management
The rapids are mainly stocked with trout that have had their adipose fin removed.
Development of the fish stock is monitored using electric pulse fishing.
Discharge information
Up-to-date information on the water level and flow situation in Lake Kitusjärvi is available at www.ymparisto.fi (in Finnish).
Impact of water temperature on fishing
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 licence sales as temperatures rise.