Fishing Regulations

Specific provisions apply to fishing in the waters of the City of Helsinki in 2023: 

1. Fishing with a rod and line, ice fishing and herring catching are covered by general fishing rights, and they do not require a permit under the Fishing Act (with the exception of Vanhankaupunginkoski rapids. Ely centre for Southwest Finland/Fisheries Services, decision no. 288/5710/2020). 

2. When trolling with a City of Helsinki lure fishing permit, a Helsinki-Espoo lure fishing permit or a tourist fishing permit, the number of rods is not limited. When fishing from the shore, the maximum number of rods is three. 

Exception: In Vanhankaupunginlahti, Vartiokylänlahti and Laajalahti, lure fishing is allowed from 15 May to 30 June with one (1) rod, also when fishing from the shore. 

There are separate fishing regulations for the Vanhankaupunkinkoski rapids and backwater. 

3. Jacklighting is permitted between 1 July and 31 December with a jacklight permit in sea areas owned by the city. 

4. Snagging, i.e. trying to catch fish by externally piercing it with a hook, is always prohibited in all waters. 

5. Static gear 

A maximum of four (4) net permits, one (1) longline permit for a hundred hooks, ten (10) hook permits and two (2) trap permits can be granted to one person. The permits are personal and must not be handed over to others. The fishing gear must be marked with tags, in accordance with the currently effective legislation (Section 48 of the Fishing Act, Sections 7 and 9 f the Fishing Decree). The tag must include contact information and be attached to the flag of the fishing gear. 

6. Net fishing 

The minimum mesh size is 100 mm (knot distance 50 mm). The regulation does not apply to herring, sprat and smelt nets. The minimum mesh size for salmon nets laid at the surface and at midwater is 157 mm (knot distance 80 mm). One permit covers one net of up to 30 metres. A maximum of four (4) nets may be laid in a row. 

7. Vantaanjoki river 

The lure fishing permits for Helsinki and for Helsinki and Espoo and tourist fishing permits entitle the holder to fish in the fishing permit areas of both Helsinki and Espoo, and also on the Vantaa side of the river Vantaanjoki, insofar as the river is the border between Vantaa and Helsinki. Fishing and ice fishing are prohibited in rapids and currents. 

In the river, the limit is two (2) salmonidae per day. Trout, salmon and whitefish are protected in the stream and in the river that drains into the sea between 1 September and 30 November. Trout and salmon with an adipose fin must always be released between 1 December and 30 April. Fishing in rapids and currents is permitted only with barbless hooks and any trimmed salmon and trout must be released. Wading is prohibited from 1 September to 15 June. 

Please note! On 18 June, Pitkäkoski is reserved for Finnish fly fishing championship qualifiers! 

Vanhankaupunginkoski is a special permit area. Fishing in the Vanhankaupunginkoski rapids requires a separate permit, either a backwater permit for Helsinki residents or a tourist permit. 

8. Lower limits: pike-perch 42 cm, grayling 35 cm and salmon 60 cm. The minimum size for trimmed trout is 50 cm. Trout with an adipose fin is protected in both rivers and seas. The minimum size for trimmed trout from the backwater and rapids of Vanhankaupunginkoski is 60 cm. 

9. Fishing in shipping lanes, boat lanes and anchorages that disturbs shipping and boat traffic is prohibited. 

10. The fishing restriction areas are marked on the map of the city’s fishing waters. 

Vantaanjoki fishing route, the area between Sörnäisten rantatie, Hanasaari, Merihaka, Sompasaari and Tervasaari, as well as the Siltasaari strait, Töölönlahti, the northern side of the Vuosaari bridge, Pikku-Huopalahti and Iso-Huopalahti: Fishing with static gear (trap, gillnet, net, longline and hooks) is prohibited all year round. 

Vanhankaupunginlahti, Hopeasalmi, Kaisaniemenlahti, Eläintarhanlahti, Sompasaarensalmi and North Harbour: Fishing with static gear is prohibited from 1 April to 1 January before 12 noon. 

Kruunuvuorenselkä (including Kaitalahti and Haakoninlahti. The area bordering Uunisaarensalmi and Uuninsuu in the west, Särkänsalmi and Kustaanmiekka in the south and Koirasaari (Vasikkasaari) and Tullisaarenselkä in the east: Fishing with static gear is prohibited from 1 April to 1 January at before 12 noon. 

Vartiokylänlahti: Fishing with static gear is prohibited from 1 April to 1 January before 12 noon. Fishing with static gear is prohibited all year round on the northern side of the Vuosaari bridge. 

Laajalahti: Fishing with static gear is prohibited from 1 April to 1 January before 12 noon. 

11. The water areas of Kaunissaari, Skogsholmen, Granö and Eestiluoto in Sipoo, Laajalahti in Espoo and Lähteelä in Kirkkonummi, Elisaari in Inkoo, Bengtsår in Hanko and the Vantaanjoki river in Espoo: Only angling, ice fishing and lure fishing are allowed. The same lure fishing permits are valid in these areas as in other waters. 

There are restrictions on moving, landing and fishing in nature reserves. 

As a rule, fishing and landing are prohibited in bird protection areas between 1 April and 15 August. Detailed information on each protected area can be found in the Nature Information System of the City of Helsinki. 

Laajalahti: All fishing and moving are prohibited in the nature reserve in the western part of the Laajalahti bay. 

Viikki–Vanhankaupunginlahti: All fishing is prohibited. Moving in the area is prohibited while the sea is not frozen, with the exception of marked routes. Saunalahti area: moving is prohibited between 1 March and 30 November. Fishing and moving by boat, motorised equipment and vehicles are prohibited all year round. 

Ruutinkoski: Fishing from the shore is allowed only in the designated places. Fishing and ice fishing are prohibited in the rapids area. Moving in the land area is only allowed along the marked routes (information boards in the area). 

Pitkäkoski: Fishing is prohibited in the Pitkäkoski nature reserve that is owned by Helsinki. Moving is only allowed along the marked paths. 

Nuottakari and Matalahara: Landing and coming within 25 metres of the islands is prohibited between 1 April and 15 August. Fishing in this area is prohibited altogether, with the exception of surface fishing, which is permitted between 16 August and 31 March. 

Tiiraluoto: Landing is prohibited all year round. 

Rajakupu, Variskari, southern islets of Seurasaari, Koirapaasi, Puolimatkansaari, Pormestarinhepo, Norppa, Kuutti, Vuorilahdenpaadet, Prinsessa, Pihlajaluodonkupu, Välikarit, Madeluoto, Morsianluoto, Pormestarinluodot and Korkeasaarenluoto: Landing and coming within 25 metres of the islands is prohibited between 1 April and 15 August. With the exception of the waters to the north-east of Kuutti (Valas side), which are protected for a distance of 10 metres, and Vuorilahdenpaadet, of which the water area on the mainland side of the two islets closest to the mainland is not protected. 

Coastal meadow and water area of Pikku Niinisaari: Fishing and landing are prohibited between 1 April and 15 August. Moving about in land areas is prohibited outside the marked routes. 

The southern end of Harakka and Vanha-Räntty: Fishing, landing and coming within seven metres of the islands on their eastern and north-eastern sides, or 25 metres on other sides is prohibited from 1 April to 15 August. 

Kivisaari islets: Landing, fishing and coming within 25 metres of the islands is prohibited between 15 April and 31 July. 

Särkkäniemi: Fishing is prohibited outside the areas separately marked for fishing. Moving about in the area outside the marked pathways is prohibited from 1 April to 1 August. 

Loppikari, Kalliosaarenluoto and Kallioluoto: Fishing and landing on the islets is prohibited from 1 April to 31 July. 

Östersundom bird wetlands: Fishing and using motorised vehicles or boats in the area is prohibited. Moving outside the routes shown in the maintenance and use plans and marked in the terrain is prohibited from 1 April to 31 July. 

Eastern part of Porvarinlahti: All fishing is prohibited. Using motorised vehicles in the area is prohibited from 1 April to 15 August in order to ensure the nesting peace of birds. 

Topeliusviken: Fishing and using motorised vehicles in the area is prohibited. 

Kallahti bank: Moving about in the area south-west of the Kallvik peninsula is prohibited from 15 March to 30 April and from 15 August to 30 September. Motorised boats are prohibited all year round. Fishing boats must not be anchored in the anchoring prohibition areas.  

Fishing permit for the rapids area 2023  

You need a rapids permit for fishing in the Vanhankaupunginkoski rapids area. For information on the permits and the purchase of permits, visit the Fishing permits and prices page. 

Fly-fishing (odd-numbered days) 

• Fishing is only permitted with fly-fishing equipment. 

• A maximum of three single hooks or one double/triple hook may be used. 

• Barbless hooks are mandatory from 1 December to 30 April. 

• The maximum permitted hook size is 8 mm as measured from the shank to the tip of the hook. 

• Wading is prohibited between 1 September 2022 and 15 June 2023. 

• Fishers must keep safe distances of at least 3 m from one another. 

•  As of 1 October, the maximum permitted fish hook size in whitefish fishing is 6 mm as measured from the shank to the tip of the hook. 

Lure fishing (even-numbered days) 

• Fishing is only permitted with lure fishing equipment. 

• A maximum of one triple hook or three single hooks may be used. 

• The maximum permitted hook size is 8 mm as measured from the shank to the tip of the hook. 

• Barbless hooks are mandatory from 1 December to 30 April. 

• Wading is prohibited between 1 September 2022 and 15 June 2023. 

• Fishers must keep safe distances of at least 3 m from one another. 

• As of 1 October, the maximum permitted fish hook size in whitefish fishing is 6 mm as measured from the shank to the tip of the hook. 

General regulations applicable to both forms of fishing in the rapids area 

• Fishing from bridges and boats is prohibited. 

• A fishing permit entitles the holder to use one rod at a time. 

• Lines and rubbish must be disposed of in bins, with no exceptions. 

• Minimum fish measurements: salmon 60 cm, trout 60 cm and pike perch 42 cm (maximum measurement 70 cm). 

• Catch quotas: common whitefish, salmon, trout, rainbow trout, asp, Northern pike and pike perch: 3 fish/fishing session, of which 1 may be a salmon or trout with the adipose fin removed. 

• Fish that have lived in the river throughout the winter (salmon/trout descending to the sea from spawning) must be released between 1 December and 30 April. 

• Salmon, trout and whitefish are protected for the period 1 September–30 November, when there is a total fishing ban in the upper rapids. There are no designated fly or lure fishing days during whitefish fishing season. 

• Wading is prohibited in the rapids from 1 September to 31 May, at other times it is recommended that wading be avoided. 

• A fishing spot may be held for 15 minutes, with the direction of movement being downstream. 

• Angling and ice fishing in the rapids is prohibited! 

• Catching fish by gripping them with the hook externally is forbidden! 

• Fish hooked outside the mouth must be immediately released, regardless of the condition of the fish! 

• The boundaries of the rapids area and protected areas are indicated with signs in the terrain. 

• We recommend the use of safety glasses. 

You need a backwater fishing permit for lure fishing 

• The backwater fishing permit is a lure fishing permit for the backwater area in Vanhankaupunginkoski for the residents of Helsinki.  The permit entitles you to fish using one rod and lure/hook. 

• All adults need a permit, including the elderly. Only under 18-year-olds do not need a backwater permit.  

• In addition to the backwater permit, 18–64-year-olds must pay the state fisheries management fee when they fish in the backwater. 

See the instructions and buy the permit on the Fishing licences and prices page. 

Angling in the backwater

• Angling with a rod with no reel and a fishing rod assembly (line, bob, sinker and a single hook at the bottom) is free of charge for both adults and children. 

• You are not allowed to angle and lure fish in the backwater area at the same time.  

Where and when you are allowed to fish 

• Fishing in the backwater pool is prohibited between midnight and 6 a.m. 

• The boundaries of the backwater area are indicated by signs on the shores. 

• Fishing is prohibited in the protected area downstream of the dam. The boundary of the protected area is indicated by yellow signs on the banks. 

• Fishing from a bridge, boat or floating tyre is prohibited. 

• You must keep a safe distance of at least 3 metres from others. 

• Use of baited nets is prohibited. 

More detailed rules for lure fishing 

• The lure may be a spinner, spoon, wobbler or fly when using fly-fishing equipment, a single hook is allowed in jig fishing and a bait is allowed when reel fishing. The maximum permitted hook size is 10 mm as measured from the shank to the tip of the hook, 15 mm in jig fishing. Additional hooks and leaders are forbidden when lure fishing. 

• Fishing without a lure is forbidden. Sinkers, nuts and hooks as well as anti-weed protection triple hooks used on their own are not lures but snagging equipment. 

• Catching fish by gripping them with a hook externally is forbidden. The fish must be caught by its mouth (not its head, gills, side or tail fin but mouth only). Fish hooked outside the mouth must be released immediately, regardless of the condition of the fish. 

Fish quotas, fish dimensions and fish to be released 

You must stun and kill your catch immediately!

• The quota for whitefish caught with scoop nets is three a day, two a day for rainbow trout and three a day for pike perch. 

• The quota for smelt caught with scoop nets is five litres/fisher/day. Catching smelt with scoop nets is only allowed during spawning. The spawning lasts approximately 1–2 weeks from the start, the exact date is not known in advance. Other fish species must be released. 

• Salmon, Northern pike, trout and asp quota is one fish a day. Fish that have lived in the river throughout the winter (salmon/trout descending to the sea from spawning) must be released. 

• Trout and salmon caught whilst scoop net fishing for whitefish (between 1 September–31 December) or for smelt in the spring or whilst angling must be released immediately. 

• Trout and salmon of sufficient length with their adipose fins removed may be caught (with the exception of fish that have lived in the river throughout the winter), those whose fins have not been removed must be released. If you catch and do not release a trout whose fins have not been removed, you must pay EUR 3,260! 

• Minimum fish measurements: salmon 60 cm, trout 60 cm and pike perch 42 cm. 

• Pike perch over 70 cm and Northern pike over 80 cm in length must be released alive or dead.