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Urho Kekkonen National Park 1505

The angling permit area in the Urho Kekkonen National Park has several rivers attracting fishers, such as the Kiermäoja, Anterijoki and Jaurujoki Rivers. The watercourses of the Repojoki, Luirojoki and Kopsusjoki Rivers in the southern parts of the National Park are also part of the permit area. There are many campfire sites, open wilderness huts and reservable huts in the National Park. The area also has much to see for those interested in its history.

There are several routes leading to Urho Kekkonen National Park. The fishing waters can be reached from Raja-Jooseppi along the Anteri cycling route, by following the marked hiking trails from Saariselkä, or by travelling along the Sompiojärventie road from the village of Vuotso located on the southern edge of the Park.

More information on the permit area, its protections and restrictions can be found on the permit area map. The Muorravaarakanjoki and Kulasjoki Rivers are protected all year round.

The number of this permit area will change in 2024. The new number is 1505.

Urho Kekkonen National Park

Recreational fishing (angling)
The calendar year as a general rule. Check the permit terms for exceptions to the fishing period.
Fly fishing, Casting
Grayling, Trout, Whitefish, Perch, Pike
Natural fish stock, Fry stocking of natural fish stocks
Campfire site, Lean-to shelter, Cottage, Open wilderness hut, Reservable wilderness hut

Purchasing a permit

Permits for 2024 become available on 4 January 2024.

The number of angling permits in the Lemmenjoki National Park permit area is limited. Please check the availability of permits prior to your trip.

The need for an angling permit depends on the type of waters and the number of rods and lures being used. Read more in the When do you need a permit section of the permit terms.

Number of permits

A total of 2,800 fishing days are available for sale in the Urho Kekkonen National Park angling permit area. There is no daily quota.

A total of 50 season permits are sold.

Permit price and validity

In the Urho Kekkonen National Park angling permit area, the customer can choose between a validity period of 24 hours or the entire season. The angling permit prices are as follows:

Permit validity Permit price
24 hours 10 €
The entire season (calendar year) 60 €

Anglers under 18 years of age pay half price.

Anglers under 15 years of age who are fishing with an adult can fish under the adult's angling permit with the same catch quota. In other words, they do not require a separate 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)
Sodankylä: Urheilu Harjus Sportia (sporting goods store)

Permit terms

Permit terms for the area

The calendar year as a general rule. Check the permit terms for exceptions to the fishing period.

Exceptions to the fishing period

Fishing in the Kiertämäjoki, Torkojoki, Anterijoki and Jaurujoki Rivers is only permitted from 16 June to 31 August.

The river and stream waters are protected between 1 September and 30 November, so fishing is prohibited during that time.

When do you need a permit

The need for an angling permit depends on the type of waters and the number of rods and lures being used.

Urho Kekkonen National Park angling permit 1563 is needed when you fish

  • with more than one rod
  • in running waters.

This means that fishing with a lure is permitted in running waters when you purchase an angling permit: simply paying the fisheries management fee does not grant the right to fish with a lure. However, hook and line fishing and ice fishing are prohibited in running waters regardless of whether the person has an angling permit or not.

General fishing rights apply to other still waters included in the permit area. This means that you do not need to purchase an angling permit or pay the fisheries management fee for hook and line fishing or ice fishing. Lure fishing with one (1) rod is also permitted in these still water areas for persons who have paid the fisheries management fee or who are under 18 years of age, over 70 years of age or have reached the age of 65 or more by 31 December 2023.

Water areas not included in the angling permit and regional restrictions

Fishing is prohibited in the Kulasjoki, Muorravaarakanjoki and Anterijoki Rivers downstream of the Anterinmukka Cabin since they are protected throughout the year.

In the Kopsusjoki River there are private water areas. This angling permit does not grant the right to fish in those waters. Check the borders of the permit area in the Excursionmap.fi service.

Fishing in the border zone is prohibited.

The Urho Kekkonen National Park angling permit 1563 does not allow fishing in the Luttojoki and Suomujoki Rivers. These rivers belong to the angling permit area 1568.

Fishing gear, bait and waste

In the municipalities of Upper Lapland (incl. the Urho Kekkonen National Park 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.

In order to prevent the spread of the Gyrodactylus salaris parasite and Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), fishing gear brought from outside to the Urho Kekkonen National Park angling permit area must be completely dry. It is also recommended to disinfect fishing gear at disinfection points before starting fishing. Fishing gear can be disinfected

  • at SEO service station in Ivalo and
  • Inari fish harbour.

These actions to stop the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite are based on the decree by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. More information about the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite and how to prevent spreading it: Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Lapland, Finnish Food Authority (ruokavirasto.fi) and Nationalparks.fi.

Watercraft

Use of motor boats is prohibited in the Urho Kekkonen National Park.

Trash and navigating in the national park

For navigating the national park you will need the Urho Kekkonen National Park outdoor map (1:100 000) or the Saariselkä-Sokosti outdoor map (1:50 000).

Anglers and hikers are responsible for bringing their own trash and waste back from the wilderness to the eco stations. Metsähallitus has been concentrating the waste management of wilderness destinations to waste management stations, or eco stations, situated along the roads leading to the destinations. Rest stops now have fewer garbage bins and Metsähallitus has increased its waste awareness work.

The park's regulations must be adhered to at all times. More information on the rules and regulations of the Urho Kekkonen National Park may be found at Nationalparks.fi.

Catch quotas

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

Species MAXIMUM CATCH DURING A 24-HOUR PERIOD
Trout 1 fish
Grayling 3 fish

There is no fishing quota limit for other fish species in this permit area.

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 At least 50 cm In rivers and streams 1.9.–30.11. (All fishing in river and stream waters is prohibited 1.9.–30.11.)
Grayling At least 30 cm; in the Kiertämäjoki, Anterijoki and Jaurujoki Rivers at least 35 cm Grayling do not have a protection period in this permit area, but all fishing in river and stream waters is prohibited 1.9.–30.11.

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

Further information

More information about Urho Kekkonen National Park and fishing there is available in the following Metsähallitus service points:

You can search for hiking destinations in this area at Nationalparks.fi.