Inari Sidewaters 1252

Permit terms for the area

Fishing period: Calendar year

Trap permits do not permit the holder to engage in commercial fishing.

Longlines and surface nets are prohibited within the permit area. However, surface nets designed for catching vendace and dwarf whitefish may be used, provided that their mesh size is no larger than 22 mm. Surface nets are nets set at the surface of the water or at a depth of no more than 1.5 metres.

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

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.

Catch sizes and protection periods

The following minimum 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	No protection period in this permit area
Landlocked salmon	At least 60 cm	No protection period in this permit area
Char	At least 40 cm; in Lake Mutusjärvi at least 45 cm	15.9.–30.11.
Grayling	At least 30 cm	No protection period in this permit area

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

All undersized fish must be released regardless of whether the fish is dead or alive.

Catch quotas

There is no fishing quota limit for this trap permit area.

Permitted traps

A trap permit entitles the holder to use one of the following traps:

• one net, whose length is no more than 31 metres
• 3 traps
• 10 baited lines. The importation of bait fish from other river basins is prohibited under section 3 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Decree 1376/2004.
• one gig (for gigging), harpoon or fishing bow.

In other words, one trap permit entitles the holder to use only one type of trap at a time. Consequently, one trap permit does not allow, for example, the holding of a net and a trap at the same time – one requires two trap permits for this purpose.

Marking traps

Standing traps must be marked in accordance with the Fishing Decree (1360/2015). The fisherman's name and telephone number must also be entered on traps.

Decree 1360/2015 can be found on the Finlex website (finlex.fi) in Finnish and Swedish.

This Finnish brochure contains photographs and information on marking traps (PDF, 1Mb).

General permit conditions

The permit will not be valid until it has been paid. One must carry the permit and proof of payment when fishing and show them to a supervisor authorised by Metsähallitus, if the supervisor so requests.

The permit holder is the person whose name appears on the permit. The holder is responsible for any fishing done under the permit. One is obligated to establish the legality of the fishing activity.

Trap permits are specific to the fishing or boating party.

Metsähallitus may revoke the permit if the permit terms are violated.

In addition to the Metsähallitus permit fee, persons aged 18–69 must also pay the state fisheries management fee. Fishers who have reached the age of 65 or more by 31 December 2023 are an exception: they do not have to pay the fee.