Utsjoki wilderness 1574
The angling permit area in the Utsjoki wilderness includes numerous lakes, ponds and rivers in the fell areas, including the Kaldoaivi, Paistunturi and Muotkatunturi wilderness areas in the municipality of Utsjoki. When arriving from the south, the terrain turns into a slightly rolling highland covered by mountain birch. When you reach the Tenojoki River, the terrain turns into treeless open fell. These hills hide a large number of fishing waters where the most coveted fish species are the Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), trout (Salmo trutta) and grayling (Thymallus thymallus). The waters of the area also contain whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), pike (Esox lucius) and perch (Perca fluviatilis).
Some fishing sites are close to the road and easily accessible, making them suitable day trip destinations for the whole family. Large wilderness areas also allow for longer hiking trips. Local tourism entrepreneurs also organise snowmobile transport in the area.
The fishing and permit arrangements in this angling permit area change at the beginning of 2023. The area is divided into two zones where the permits are sold separately. In addition, the weekly permit and family permit are removed from the selection of permits. Daily and seasonal permits are still available for the area.
Please note that hook and line fishing and ice fishing are allowed in some of the area's lakes and ponds without a fishing permit. In these lakes and ponds also lure fishing with one rod and one lure is allowed without a fishing permit, if the fisheries management fee has been paid. The fisheries management fee is required only if you are 18-64 years of age. You can check these water areas (= areas which have no restrictions) in Kalastusrajoitus.fi webservice by entering "utsjoki" in the search.
Permits for 2023 become available on 27 February 2023 at 9 a.m.
Utsjoki wilderness
Purchasing a permit
Purchasing Information
The number of permits in the Utsjoki Wilderness permit area is limited, so it’s a good idea to check permit availability before starting 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.
ZONES AND NUMBER OF PERMITS
Zone 1
Zone 1 comprises the areas west of road E75 in the municipality of Utsjoki: The northern parts of Paistunturi Wilderness Area and Muotkatunturi Wilderness Area. However, the permit does not apply to Kevo Nature Reserve. The permit allows fishing in some of the flowing waters in the area and in the special waters of the area: In Rohtoluoppal, Rávdojávri (Petsikko), Áhkojávri, Vuolimus and Bajimus Sieiddejávri, Hánnojávri (Karigasniemi), lakes Gáregas, Vuorggotčear, Gaskabeaičohka and Solccar, and Jalven muori pond.
100 season permits are sold for zone 1.
Zone 2
Zone 2 consists of areas east of road E75 in the municipality of Utsjoki: From easily accessible sites between Utsjoki and Nuorgam and from Kaldoaivi wilderness area to the municipal border of Utsjoki and Inari. The permit entitles the holder to fish in the special waters of the area: Lakes Skáide, Oakkostan, Irdoai, Gearddos, Vuolimus and Bajimus Geinnodat, Vuolimus, Gaskamus and Bajimus Skáideláttu, Rávdoláttu (Čarajávri), Skoarrajávri and Vađaid Rávdojávri.
100 season permits are sold for zone 2.
A total of 4,000 fishing days are available for sale in the zones. There is no daily quota. A total of 200 seasonal permits are sold. The season permit is only valid in the zone for which it has been redeemed.
Permit price and validity
In the Utsjoki Wilderness angling permit area, the customer can choose between a validity period of 24 hours or a calendar year. The angling permit prices are as follows:
| Permit validity | Permit price |
|---|---|
| 24 hours | 10 € |
| 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.
- 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.
Ivalo: Ivalon Eräsoppi (hiking and camping store)
Inari: Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida (nationalparks.fi)
Ivalo: Ivalo Customer Service (nationalparks.fi)
Saariselkä: Urho Kekkonen National Park Customer Service Kiehinen (nationalparks.fi)
Permit terms
Permit terms for the area
Calendar year. 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.
An Utsjoki Wilderness angling permit 1574 is needed when you fish
- with more than one rod
- in running waters
- in special still waters where general fishing rights do not apply.
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.
Fishing with a lure is also permitted in special waters when you purchase an angling permit: simply paying the fisheries management fee does not grant the right to fish with a lure. Angling and ice fishing are permitted in special waters when you purchase an angling permit. Special waters are marked on the PDF map for the angling permit area and as a restricted area in the map window on this page and in the Excursionmap.fi service.
General fishing rights apply in other still waters included in the permit area: 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 the age of 18 or over 65.
Water areas not included in the angling permit
The following waters located in Utsjoki have their own angling permits, so the Utsjoki Wilderness angling permit 1574 does not grant the right to fish in them:
- Kevo Strict Nature Reserve
- rivers and lakes that runs into Tenojoki.
The Utsjoki Wilderness angling permit does not grant the right to fish in private waters.
Fishing gear and bait
The use of bait fish for hook and line fishing, ice fishing and lure fishing is absolutely prohibited in Northern Lapland, which includes the Utsjoki Wilderness angling permit area. This was mandated in decree 1376/2004 issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Disinfection of fishing gear
All fishing gear brought in from outside Utsjoki must be completely dry upon arrival or they must be disinfected at a disinfection station before you start fishing.
If the same fishing gear is used to fish in waters that run into the Arctic Ocean, all of the fishing gear must be disinfected to prevent the spread of the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite.
You can disinfect your fishing gear
- at many tourism companies along Tenojoki River
- at the Inari fish harbour and
- at Sanila reindeer farm in Sevettijärvi.
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:
| Fish 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 | 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.
Further information
Services in the area
Information about tourism services in Utsjoki is available on the Explore Utsjoki website (exploreutsjoki.fi).
More information about disinfection instructions and obligations is available from the Lapland ELY Centre and on the Finnish Food Authority website (ruokavirasto.fi).