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Näätämöjoki 1565

Permits for 2023 become available on 18 April 2023 at 9 a.m.

Näätämöjoki River is situated in the eastern part of the Inari municipality, north of Lake Sevettijärvi. The river is born in Iijärvi and runs into the Arctic Ocean on the Norwegian side. Näätämöjoki is an ideal destination especially for fly fishers. 

The efforts to safeguard and grow the salmon stocks of Näätämöjoki are based on having an adequate spawning stock and limiting the number of fishing permits. The fishing regulations at Näätämöjoki have been tightened with regard to all forms of fishing in both Finland and Norway. These measures aim to maintain the viability of the river's valuable natural salmon stock and secure the possibility to fish at one of our grandest salmon rivers long into the future. 

The Näätämöjoki permit area is divided into three different fishing zones (pools) with limited number of permits. The number of available permits varies depending on the season.

Näätämöjoki

Recreational fishing (angling)
In zone 1 is allowed 12 June – 31 August. In zone 2 fishing is allowed 3 July – 30 July. In zone 3 fishing is allowed 19 June – 20 August.
Fly fishing, Casting
Sea salmon, Grayling, Whitefish, Trout
Natural fish stock
Campfire site, Lean-to shelter, Cottage

Permit area map

Lapland, Inari

Purchasing a permit

The number of permits issued for the Näätämöjoki permit area is limited. Please check the availability of permits prior to your trip.

If you have ordered your permit by phone, you must ensure that the permit is paid for in full by the due date indicated on the invoice. 

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 covers Näätämöjoki River between the state border and Lake Opukasjärvi. In this zone fishing is allowed between 12 June and 31 August.

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

period permit quota
12 June – 2 July 150 fishing days
3 July – 13 August 150 fishing days in a week (Monday - Sunday)
14 August – 31 August 250 fishing days

As there are very few cancelled and unclaimed permits for zone 1, these permits won't be moved over to the next periods.

Zone 2 covers Silisjoki River between Lake Opukasjärvi and Lower Silislompolo Lake. In this zone fishing is allowed between 3 July and 30 July. Permit quota for zone 2 is 110 fishing days. Four (4) permits a day.

Zone 3 covers Näätämöjoki River between lake Opukasjärvi and Lake Iijärvi and Vaijoki River until the mouth of Nikulasjoki River. In this zone fishing is allowed between 19 June and 20 August. Permit quota for zone 3 is 378 fishing days. There is no daily quota.

Permit prices and validity

In the Näätämöjoki River angling permit area, validity of a permit begins at 6 PM. The prices for angling permits are as follows:

zone permit price
1 30 € per day
2 30 € per day
3 25 € per day

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.

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.

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)
Saariselkä: Urho Kekkonen National Park Customer Service Kiehinen (nationalparks.fi)

Permit terms

Permit terms for the area

In zone 1 is allowed 12 June – 31 August. In zone 2 fishing is allowed 3 July – 30 July. In zone 3 fishing is allowed 19 June – 20 August.

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 Näätämöjoki 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 Näätämöjoki 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 Näätämöjoki 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 reindeer farm Toni Sanila and at Inari fish harbour.

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

Watercraft

Fishing with a boat or an outboard motor that does not belong to a person who permanently resides within the Näätämöjoki fishing area is prohibited.

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
Salmon 1 fish
Trout 1 fish
Grayling 3 fish

There is no fishing quota limit for other fish species.

Metsähallitus recommends catching humpback salmon and chum salmon.

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 September – 30 November *
Grayling At least 35 cm No protection period in this permit area
Salmon At least 30 cm 1–31 August for female salmon whose size is over 60 cm

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

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

Further information

Services in the area

There are several maintained campfire sites along the Näätämöjoki River.

There are rental cabins in Silisjokisuu (Lake Opukasjärvi), Kontinpaistama, Saunakoski and Kuosnijokisuu. In Lake Opukasjärvi there is also an open wilderness hut.Accommodation and food services are available in Sevettijärvi in Sevetin baari (bar), Peuralampi Camping and reindeer farm Toni Sainila, and In Näätämö there are also grocery stores and a hardware store.

Näätämöjoki can be reached via marked trails:

  • Trail from the village of Näätämö to Kallokoski rapids.
  • Trail from the south side of Jäniskoski bridge (parking area) to Saunakoski Rapids via Lake Nälkäjärvi.
  • Trail to Kontinpaistama that begins from a parking area located 10 km into the direction of Näätämö from Lake Sevettijärvi
  • Trail from Lake Sevettijärvi to Lake Opukasjärvi.

Further information:

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).