Minimum catch sizes and protection periods

Minimum catch sizes and protection periods

As per the amended Fishing Decree, as of 1 January 2016, all fish caught in natural waters must fulfil the following minimum catch sizes. The length of a fish is measured from the tip of the jaw (with the mouth closed) to the tip of the extended and squeezed-together tail fin.

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Trout with adipose fin

• At least 50 cm in waters north of the 67°00 N circle of latitude
• At the 64th-67th parallels north at least 60 cm 
• At most 45 cm in streams or ponds with no migratory connection from the sea or a lake

Protection period: 

• Completely protected in all sea areas as of the beginning of 2019.
• Completely protected in inland waters south of the 64º00 N circle of latitude. Does not apply to trout caught in a stream or pond with no migratory connection from the sea or a lake.

• Protected between 1.9.–30.11. in rivers and streams. 

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Trout without adipose fin

• At least 50 cm

Protection period:

Protected between 1.9.–30.11. in rivers and streams.

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Salmon

• At least 60 cm 
• At least 50 cm in the Bay of Bothnia north of the 63º30 N circle of latitude
• In recreational fishing anglers may catch 2 salmon/day/person

Protection period:

• Protected between 1.9.–30.11. in rivers and streams.

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landlocked salmon with adipose fin

• At least 60 cm

Protection period:

• Completely protected in the Rivers Vuoksi and Hiitolanjoki.
• Protected between 1.8.–30.11. in other rivers and streams.

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landlocked salmon without adipose fin

• At least 60 cm
• In recreational fishing anglers may catch 1 salmon/day/person in the Vuoksi waterway. 

Protection period:

• 1.6–31.8. in the waters of the Vuoksi and Hiitolanjoki Rivers defined in the map appendix of the Fishing Decree.
• Protected between 1.8.–30.11. in other rivers and streams.

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Char

• At least 60 cm in the Vuoksi water system
• At least 45 cm in Lake Inarinjärvi

Protection period:

• Completely protected in Lake Kuolimo and in Lake Saimaa in the area between Puumalansalmi and Vuoksenniska. 1.9.–30.11. elsewhere in the Vuoksi waterway. 

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Grayling

• At least 30 cm on the north side and 35 cm on the south side of the 67°00 N circle of latitude

Protection period:

• Completely protected in the Baltic Sea.
• 1.4.–31.5. in inland waters south of the 67º00 N circle of latitude.

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Whitefish 

• No minimum catch size.

Protection period:

• Protected between 1.9.–30.11. in rivers and streams that run into sea.

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River lamprey

• No minimum catch size.

Protection period:

• 1.4.–15.8.

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Pike-perch

• At least 42 cm
• At least 40 cm in sea areas outside the Gulf of Finland (Commercial fishers belonging to group I as specified in section 88 of the Fishing Act [379/2015])

Protection period: No protection period.

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Eel

• No minimum catch size.

Protection period:

• 1.10.–31.1.

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European crayfish, signal crayfish, narrow-clawed crayfish

Protection period (all crayfish):

• 1.11.–21.7., until noon.

Exceptions to minimum catch sizes

Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) have the right to allow exceptions to minimum catch sizes defined in the Fishing Decree in certain water areas. These exception permits may be applied for by fishing rights holders and owners of water areas.

Metsähallitus' conditions for exceptions

Metsähallitus strongly supports compliance with the new minimum catch sizes. The new catch sizes are followed in all water areas controlled Metsähallitus and exception permits are sought only in well-justified cases. 

Example case 1: 
An exception permit may be applied for when the fishing area in question is a closed-off water area (pond or lake) that is already being maintained with stockings of fry or catch-sized fish and where the conditions for the natural life cycle of the fish do not exist (e.g., no spawning grounds). 

Example case 2: 
An exception permit may be applied for when current conditions in the water area hinder or completely disrupt the natural life cycle of the fish living in it (e.g., as a result of a blockage to fish migration) and the fishing pressure (fish taken out of the water) is directed only at planted fish. The water area in question must also be of significant importance to the local economy and local businesses (lodging, fishing tours, etc.). 

Other conditions:

The exception must be based on the commercial purpose of fish plantings and permit sales. The exceptional fishing must not endanger natural fish stocks. 

Maximum catch size

In some water bodies, certain fish species have a maximum catch size - if a fish exceeds this size it must be released. The maximum catch size is set to protect large individuals in an effort to ensure the large growth of fish stocks, thus preventing smaller fish sizes. If anglers constantly catch large individuals, over time their percentage of the total fish stock will decrease and the percentage of smaller individuals will increase.

The protection of large individuals is especially important in fishing waters with a small surface area. Fish stocks in these waters are small, with only a few large individuals. If large individuals are fished intensively on a small lake, they can quickly disappear from the lake. This can be prevented by releasing any individuals larger than the maximum catch size.

Large individuals are crucial to the fish stock, as large perch, pike and pike-perch females, among others, reproduce more effectively than small ones. For example, a decline in the number of large perch females leads to a situation where the females reach sexual maturity at a younger age and a smaller size than before. This reduces the robustness of the fish eggs and fry.

Maximum catch sizes can also be adjusted in the Fishing Decree or fishing permit area terms as is done for minimum catch sizes.

Read more on the University of Helsinki website (helsinki.fi).