Minimum catch sizes and protection periods
Minimum catch sizes are set to ensure the sustainable use of fish stocks and promote the recovery of certain stocks. The minimum catch size is the shortest allowed length for a caught fish.
In Finland, minimum catch sizes are defined in the Fishing Decree. In addition to the catch sizes defined in the Fishing Decree, fishing rights holders and owners of water areas may impose higher minimum catch sizes to protect the fish stocks in their waters. Fishing waters controlled by Metsähallitus may also have minimum catch sizes that differ from those defined in the Decree. This is always mentioned in the permit terms of angling permit areas and trap permit areas.
As the Fishing Decree 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.
Trout with adipose fin
Catch size
- 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 Sept–30 Nov in rivers and streams.
Trout without adipose fin
Catch size
- At least 50 cm.
Protection period
- Protected between 1 Sept–30 Nov in rivers and streams.
Salmon
Catch size
- 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 Sept–30 Nov in rivers and streams.
Landlocked salmon with adipose fin
Catch size
- At least 60 cm.
Protection period
- Completely protected in the Rivers Vuoksi and Hiitolanjoki.
- Protected between 1 Aug–30 Nov in other rivers and streams.
Landlocked salmon without adipose fin
Catch size
- At least 60 cm.
- In recreational fishing anglers may catch 1 salmon/day/person in the Vuoksi waterway.
Protection period
- 1 June–31 Aug in the waters of the Vuoksi and Hiitolanjoki Rivers defined in the map appendix of the Fishing Decree.
- Protected between 1 Aug–30 Nov in other rivers and streams.
Char
Catch size
- 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 Sept–30 Nov elsewhere in the Vuoksi waterway.
Grayling
Catch size
- At least 30 cm on the north side and at least 35 cm on the south side of the 67°00 N circle of latitude.
Protection period
- Completely protected in the Baltic Sea.
- 1 April–31 May in inland waters south of the 67º00 N circle of latitude.
Whitefish
Catch size
- No minimum catch size.
Protection period
- Protected between 1 Sept–30 Nov in rivers and streams that run into sea.
River lamprey
Catch size
- No minimum catch size.
Protection period
- 1 April–15 August.
Pike-perch
Catch size
- 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.
Eel
Catch size
- No minimum catch size.
Protection period
- 1 Aug–30 June
Noble crayfish, signal crayfish, narrow-clawed crayfish
Catch size
- At least 10 cm.
Protection period (all crayfish)
- 1 Nov–21 July, until noon.
See the difference between a noble crayfish and signal crayfish on the page Crayfishing permit.
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 minimum catch sizes. The 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).