Fishing regulations

National fishing legislation

The national catch sizes, catch quotas and closed seasons can be checked out here. 

Check which prohibitions and restrictions apply before going fishing. The fisheries management fee does not entitle you to fish in rapids and currents in waters with migratory fish, at sites requiring a site-specific permit, or at sites where fishing is entirely prohibited. You can check these at the web site Kalastusrajoitus.fi. 

Local fishing regulations 

In addition to national restrictions and regulations the Fisheries Area has its own local fishing regulations. 

The following fishing regulations are in force within the fisheries area: 

Högbenssjön 
Fishing is prohibited from May 15 to June 15 throughout the entire lake, with the exception of angling, rod fishing from the shore, or any authorized stock management measures. 
Minimum catch size for zander: 45 cm. 
Catch quota: 1 zander per angler per day (does not apply to net fishing). 
Minimum allowed mesh size: 50 mm (does not apply to net fishing for baitfish). 
To protect the spawning of zander. 
In force from 2025 to 2027. 

15 May–15 June – Gammelboda, Jomalvik Canal, Edesviken, Totalfladan, and Kopparöfladan 
Fishing with hand-held gear, traps (fyke nets) and gillnets is prohibited. 
To protect the spawning of zander. 
In force from 2024 to 2028. 

1 August–30 November – Svartån River, up to and including Åkerfors power plant, including Kyrksjön and Päsarträsket, as well as the tributaries Krabbäcken, Storängsbäcken, Bråtabäcken, and Mossabäcken, and Fiskars River up to Borgbyträsket and Brunkombäcken, as well as the river estuary areas 
Fishing with hand-held gear and passive fishing gear (stationary gear) is prohibited. 
To support the objectives of the national salmon and sea trout strategy. 
In force from 2024 to 2028. 

1 August–30 November – under the Pojoviken bridges and in Vitsandströmmen 
Fishing with gillnets and fyke nets is prohibited. 
To support the objectives of the national salmon and sea trout strategy. 
In force from 2024 to 2028. 

1 August–30 November – Pojoviken up to the high-voltage power line in Vitsandströmmen 
Fishing with surface gillnets is prohibited. 
To support the objectives of the national salmon and sea trout strategy. 
In force from 2024 to 2028. 

1 August–30 November – from the high-voltage power line in Vitsandströmmen up to the mouths of Fiskars River and Svartån River 
It is prohibited to retain salmon longer than 75 cm and sea trout longer than 65 cm. However, all adipose fin-clipped sea trout must always be released. 
The minimum legal catch size for retained salmon is 60 cm and for sea trout (fin-clipped) 50 cm, in accordance with the national Fishing Decree. 

More detailed information, including maps, can be found on the national Kalastusrajoitus.fi website.

!! Please note that if you are fishing with permission from the owner of the water area (local permit), the regulations might be even stricter than the national and fisheries region ones. The local permit seller will inform you about their own regulations.!!

Handling Fish Properly 

When keeping fish for food, regulations require they be killed quickly and humanely. A recommended method is to first stun the fish with a firm blow above the eyes, then bleed it by cutting the gill artery. Small fish can often be killed by bending the neck. 

Fish that are undersized, protected, or otherwise released must be handled gently to prevent injury and give them the best chance of survival. Avoid touching the fish and minimize the time it spends out of water. Unhook it quickly and carefully and release it back as soon as possible. Barbless hooks and smooth, knotless nets help reduce harm. 

Even if an undersized or protected fish is injured, it must not be kept. If the fish is badly hurt and unlikely to survive, it must be killed before being released to prevent unnecessary suffering.