Fishing Permit Terms and Conditions by Area
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In the permit terms and conditions each water area is given a number that can be found on the map. Below that is a list of the permitted fishing methods and any restrictions related to them. If a fishing method is not mentioned in the area, it is prohibited.
The city of Oulu reserves the right to make changes to the fishing permit terms and conditions in the middle of the fishing season if necessary.
Instructions for permit terms and conditions in numbered areas (1a-6b)
- 1a Sea, 1b Fish passage in sea area, 1c Sea area in river delta, 1d Fish passage in river delta, 2a Hartaanselkä, 2b Hupisaari water area, 2c Hartaanselkä special fishing area (fishing salmon from a boat and the shore) , 3a Oulujoki, 4a Sanginjoki
- 5a Sanginjoki special fishing area for "ootto" fishing, 5b Sanginjoki special fishing area
- 6a (Valkiaisjärvi, Kinnulanjärvi, Ahmasjärvi and Lämsänjärvi lakes), 6b (Kuivasjärvi, Pyykösjärvi, Niilesjärvi, Kaitajärvi and Syväjärvi lakes)
An electronic permit can be bought on www.kalapassi.fi
You can also buy a printed permit at Oulu10, Torikatu 10. Fishing permits are also sold at Haukipudas service point (Jokelantie 1) and Oulunsalo service point (Karhuojantie 2).
You can check the opening hours of Oulu10 service point on our website.
Urban and Enviromental Services decides yearly on scoop net permits. Scoop net permits are bought directly from the service point.
Using lead casting weights is prohibited in all water areas of the city of Oulu.
Winter bait fishing, "ismete" fishing, is allowed with the city's angling permit.
Fishing is prohibited from public road bridges and light traffic bridges.
Important to note
In Finland, you are required to pay the fisheries management fee if you are between the ages of 18 and 69 and will be fishing with lures or traps or crayfishing. By paying the fisheries management fee, you are permitted to fish in almost anywhere in the country using one rod and lure, however, sometimes the permission of the owner of the water area is also required. Therefore, in some cases you need to pay both the fisheries management fee and the city's fishing permit.
Fisheries management fee can be bought on www.eraluvat.fi.
Fishing permit terms and conditions by area
1a Sea
Fyke nets/pound nets: Only for commercial fishermen by application. Up to of 4 in the entire sea area.
Nets: Up to 8 nets per fishing party. The total length of the nets may not exceed 240 meters per fishing party. The smallest permitted mesh size is 50 mm. The smallest mesh size of salmon nets is 80 mm. Exception to this is in autumn from September 20 until water freezes, during this time the smallest permitted mesh size is 45 mm. Commercial fishermen are sold only winter net permits with a limit of up to 240 nets. The maximum number per professional fisher is 40 nets.
Traps ("katiska"): Fishing with traps is permitted with a limit of up to 10 traps per fisher.
Hook fishing: permitted with a limit of up to 20 hooks per fisher. Hook fishing is only permitted during ice cover. The use of spring-loaded fish hooks is prohibited.
Long lines: A long line that is not used for surface fishing with a maximum length of 240 meters is permitted.
Winter bait fishing, i.e. ismete fishing is permitted with the city of Oulu's lure fishing permit, no limitation on the number of rods.
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is permitted with the fisheries management fee or when the fisher is under 18 or over 65 years old, but only with one rod and one lure. The use of planars is permitted. Using more than one rod requires a separate lure fishing permit from the city.
Gigging is permitted from the 1st of July until the water freezes.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing using one rod is free as per the Fishing Act.
Prohibitions and restrictions
The protection period for salmon is from the April 1 until June 26. The use of a trap net ("pesäverkko", a long net bent on one end in an arrow-like shape forming a trap) or similar gear is prohibited. It is forbidden to catch trout with surface nets. Trout with adipose fin and grayling are protected. In recreational fishing, the catch quota is a maximum of two (2) salmon and two (2) trout per fisher per day. You may not use passive fishing gear such as nets or traps in the fish passage.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 50 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
Fish passage base map (pdf)
1b Fish passage in sea area
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is permitted with the fisheries management fee or when the fisher is under 18 or over 65 years old, but only with one rod and one lure. The use of planars is permitted. Using more than one rod requires a separate lure fishing permit from the city.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing using one rod is free as per the Fishing Act.
Winter bait fishing, i.e. ismete fishing is permitted with the city of Oulu's lure fishing permit, the number of rods is not limited.
Prohibitions and restrictions
Trout with adipose fin and grayling are protected. In recreational fishing, the catch quota is a maximum of two (2) salmon and two (2) trout per fisher per day.
You may not use passive fishing gear such as nets or traps in the fish passage.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 50 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
1c Sea area in river delta
Traps ("katiska"): Fishing with traps is permitted with a limit of up to 10 traps.
Hook fishing: Permitted with a limit of up to 20 hooks per fisher. Hook fishing is only permitted during ice cover. The use of spring-loaded fish hooks is prohibited.
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is permitted with the fisheries management fee or when the fisher is under 18 or over 65 years old, but only with one rod and one lure. With the city's lure fishing permit, fishing rods are limited to up to four (4) rods when fishing from a boat and two (2) rods when fishing from the shore. The use of planars is prohibited.
Winter bait fishing, i.e. ismete fishing is permitted with the city of Oulu's lure fishing permit.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing using one rod is free as per the Fishing Act.
Prohibitions and restrictions
Trout with adipose fin and grayling are protected. In recreational fishing, the catch quota is a maximum of two (2) salmon and two (2) trout per fisher per day.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 50 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
1d Fish passage in river delta
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is permitted with the fisheries management fee or when the fisher is under 18 or over 65 years old, but only with one rod and one lure. With the city's lure fishing permit, fishing rods are limited to a maximum of four (4) rods from a boat and two (2) rods when fishing from the shore. The use of planars is prohibited.
Winter bait fishing, i.e. ismete fishing is permitted with the city of Oulu's lure fishing permit, the number of rods is not limited.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing using one rod is free as per the Fishing Act.
Scoop netting smelt ("lippoaminen") from the shore is permitted from May 1 to 15 on the sea side of the north shore of Hietasaari's old bridge .
Prohibitions and restrictions
Trout with adipose fin and grayling are protected. In recreational fishing, the catch quota is a maximum of two (2) salmon and two (2) trout per fisher per day.
You may not use passive fishing gear such as nets or traps in the fish passage.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 50 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
2a Hartaanselkä
Traps ("katiska"): fishing with traps is allowed with a limit of up to 10 traps per fisher. Fishing with traps is only allowed when the water is not frozen.
Hook fishing: allowed with a limit of up to 20 hooks per fisher. Hook fishing is only allowed during ice cover. The use of spring-loaded fish hooks is prohibited.
Winter bait fishing, i.e. ismete fishing is allowed with the city of Oulu's lure fishing permit using up to 2 rods.
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is allowed for fishers who are 15 years old or older with the city's permit. Fishers under 15 years old do not need the city's permit. The city's lure fishing permit allows the use of up to 4 rods when fishing from a boat and 2 rods when fishing from the shore.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing using one rod is free as per the Fishing Act. The city's lure fishing permit allows the use of 2 rods, however, the rods must be within arm's reach of the fisher.
Prohibitions and restrictions
Below the submerged weir under the Merikoski bridges, all fishing is prohibited within a distance of 100 meters. The ban is based on the Fisheries Act and the Section 4 (1) of the Dam Safety Act. The prohibition applies to the Ämänväylä and Tuiranväylä bridges.
Using lead casting weights is prohibited. The use of planars is prohibited.
All fishing is prohibited in the area from October 1 to November 1, 12:00 p.m., with the exception of scoop netting maraena whitefish ("lippoaminen") for roe harvesting for compulsory stockings.
Trout with adipose fin and grayling are protected. The catch quota for whitefish is a maximum of 10 whitefish per fisher per day. Using groundbaits is prohibited. In recreational fishing, the catch quota is a maximum of 1 salmon or trout per fisher per day.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 60 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
2b Hupisaari water area
All fishing is prohibited in the Hupisaari water area 2b.
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
2c Hartaanselkä special fishing area (fishing salmon from a boat and the shore)
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is allowed for fishers who are 15 years old or older with the city's permit. Fishers under 15 years old do not need the city's permit. The city's lure fishing permit allows the use of up to 4 rods when fishing from a boat and 1 rod when fishing from the shore.
Alternating fishing periods
Alternating fishing periods are in force yearly from June 15 to September 9.
Shore fishing periods begin every month always on odd-numbered days at 21:00 and ends the following day at 21:00. During this time, you may only fly wish with a casting weight in the spinfluga fishing area. The owners of the boat berths may take off and come back normally, but cannot fish in the 2c area.
Boat fishing periods begin always on even-numbered days at 21:00 and ends the following day at 21:00. During this time, hook and line fishing is allowed throughout the area. At the furthest end of Toivoniemi, ootto fishing is prohibited. In Kuusisaari, all other methods of fishing with a rod are allowed except for spinfluga fishing during this time. Anchoring a boat is prohibited in this area during boat fishing periods.
Spinfluga fishing area is located downstream from the endpoint of the concrete river bank with a green metal fence in Merijalinranta. Upstream from the endpoint of the concrete river bank in Merijalinrata all fishing from the shore is prohibited. In the spinfluga fishing area all fishing except hook and line fishing is prohibited during boat fishing periods.
Upstream from the boat ramp in Merijalinranta, you can fly wish with a casting weight or use other types of lures up to halfway across the river. Downstream from the boat ramp, there is no limit to the length of the cast, as long as it is not directed towards Kuusisaari. Casting in the direction of another person is prohibited. The use of lead weights is prohibited. In spinfluga fishing, only one single hook with a maximum hook size of 12 mm is allowed.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing using one rod is free as per the Fishing Act. The city's lure fishing permit allows the use of 2 rods, however, the rods must be within arm's reach of the fisher.
Scoop netting smelt ("lippoaminen") from the shore is allowed from May 1 to May 15 in Merijali. The area for scoop netting smelt is the shore of Merijali, and the city's lure fishing permit is required.
Prohibitions and restrictions
The use of lead casting weights is prohibited. The use of planars is prohibited. Using a motor while the line is in the water is prohibited.
All fishing is prohibited in the area from October 1 to November 1, 12:00 p.m., with the exception of scoop netting maraena whitefish for roe harvesting for compulsory stockings.
Trout with adipose fin and grayling are protected. The catch quota for whitefish is a maximum of 10 whitefish per fisher per day. Using groundbaits is prohibited. In recreational fishing, the catch quota is a maximum of 1 salmon or trout per fisher per fishing period during the alternating fishing period time, outside of the alternating fishing period 1 salmon or trout per fisher per day. Regarding catch and release fishing, the same quotas apply for salmon and trout.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 60 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing are on the Karttatie map service
3a Oulujoki (from Rautasilta to the border of Muhos)
Nets: Up to three (3) nets from January 1 to August 14 and from December 1 to 31. The smallest permitted mesh size is 45 mm. The total length of the nets may not exceed 90 meters.
Traps ("katiska"): fishing with traps is permitted with a limit of up to ten (10) traps per fisher.
Hook fishing: permitted with a limit of up to 20 hooks per one fisher. Hook fishing is only permitted during ice cover. The use of spring-loaded fish hooks is prohibited.
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is permitted with the fisheries management fee or when the fisher is under 18 or over 65 years old, but only with one rod and one lure. Using more than one rod requires a fishing permit from the city. The city's lure fishing permit allows the use of up to four (4) rods when fishing from a boat and two (2) rods when fishing from the shore.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing is free as per the Fishing Act, but only using one rod.
Crayfishing is permitted yearly from August 1 to 28 with the city's crayfishing permit.
Winter bait fishing, i.e. ismete fishing is permitted with the city of Oulu's lure fishing permit, the number of rods is not limited.
Prohibitions and restrictions
The use of lead weights is prohibited. Trout with adipose fin is protected. In recreational fishing, the catch quota is one (1) salmon or trout per fisher per day.
Protection periods
- Salmon, sea trout and maraena whitefish are protected from September 1 to November 30.
- Grayling is protected from April 1 to May 31.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 60 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Grayling 35 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
4a Sanginjoki (excluding Sanginjoki special fishing areas 5a and 5b)
Traps ("katiska"): Fishing with traps is permitted with a limit of up to ten (10) traps.
Hook fishing: allowed with a maximum limit of 20 hooks per fisher. Hook fishing is only allowed during ice cover. The use of spring-loaded fish hooks is prohibited.
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is permitted with the fisheries management fee or when the fisher is under 18 or over 65 years old, but only with one rod and one lure. Using more than one rod requires a fishing permit from the city. The city's fishing permit allows the use of up to four (4) rods when fishing from a boat and two (2) rods when fishing from the shore.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing with one rod is free as per the Fishing Act, except in rapids and currents where it is prohibited.
Crayfishing is permitted yearly from August 1 to 28 with the city's crayfishing permit.
Winter bait fishing, i.e. ismete fishing is permitted with the city of Oulu's lure fishing permit, the number of rods is not limited.
Prohibitions and restrictions
Trout with adipose fin is protected.
Protection periods
- Salmon, sea trout and maraena whitefish are protected from September 1 to November 30.
- Grayling is protected from April 1 to May 31.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 60 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Grayling 35 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
5a Sanginjoki special fishing area
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod using one rod is permitted to fishers who are 15 years old or older with the city's lure fishing permit. Fishing is free for fishers under 15 years old, but the same prohibitions and restrictions apply. Fishing is allowed only on the shore on the Lemmenpolku side. In this area, ootto fishing is also permitted. The border of areas 5a and 5b is marked on the terrain.
Crayfishing is permitted yearly from August 1 to 28 with the city's crayfishing permit.
Prohibitions and restrictions
The catch quota is up to two (2) salmon per fisher per day. Trout with adipose fin is protected.
Protection periods
- Salmon, sea trout and maraena whitefish are protected from September 1 to November 30.
- Grayling is protected from April 1 to May 31.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 60 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Grayling 35 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
5b Sanginjoki special fishing area
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod using one rod is permitted to fishers who are 15 years old or over with the city's lure fishing permit. Fishing is free for fishers under 15 years old, but same prohibitions and restrictions apply. Fishing is allowed only on the shore on the Lemmenpolku side. The border of areas 5a and 5b is marked on the terrain.
Crayfishing is permitted yearly from August 1 to 28 with the city's crayfishing permit.
Prohibitions and restrictions
The catch quota is up to two (2) salmon per fisher per day. Ootto fishing is prohibited. Trout with adipose fin is protected.
Protection periods
- Salmon, sea trout and maraena whitefish are protected from September 1 to November 30.
- Grayling is protected from April 1 to May 31.
Minimum catch sizes
- Salmon 60 cm
- Trout without adipose fin (=stocked) 50 cm
- Grayling 35 cm
- Pike-perch 42 cm
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
6a Lakes (Valkiaisjärvi, Kinnulanjärvi, Ahmasjärvi, Lämsänjärvi)
Traps (katiska): fishing with traps is permitted with a limit of up to 10 traps per fisher.
Hook fishing: permitted with a maximum limit of up to 20 hooks per fisher. Hook fishing is only permitted during ice cover. The use of spring-loaded fish hooks is prohibited.
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is permitted with the fisheries management fee or when the fisher is under 18 or over 65 years old, but only with one rod and one lure. Using more than one rod requires a fishing permit from the city. The city's fishing permit allows the use of up to four (4) rods when fishing from a boat and two (2) rods when fishing from the shore.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing with one rod is free as per the Fishing Act.
Crayfishing is permitted in Valkiaisjärvi yearly from August 1 to 28 with the city's crayfishing permit.
Gigging is permitted from the 1st of July until the water freezes.
Winter bait fishing, i.e. ismete fishing is permitted with the city of Oulu's lure fishing permit, the number of rods is not limited.
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
6b Lakes (Kuivasjärvi, Pyykösjärvi, Niilesjärvi, Syväjärvi ja Kaitajärvi)
Nets: up to three (3) nets. The smallest permitted mesh size is 45 mm. The total length of the nets may not exceed 90 meters.
Traps (katiska): fishing with traps is permitted with a limit of up to 10 traps per fisher.
Hook fishing: allowed with limit of up to 20 hooks per fisher. Hook fishing is only allowed during ice cover. The use of spring-loaded fish hooks is prohibited.
Lure fishing and hook and line fishing with a spinning rod is permitted with the fisheries management fee or when the fisher is under 18 or over 65 years old, but only with one rod and one lure. Using more than one rod requires a fishing permit from the city. The city's fishing permit allows the use of up to four (4) rods when fishing from a boat and two (2) rods when fishing from the shore.
Ice fishing and hook and line fishing with one rof is free as per the Fishing Act.
Gigging is permitted from the 1st of July until the water freezes.
Winter bait fishing, i.e. ismete fishing is permitted with the city of Oulu's lure fishing permit, the number of rods is not limited.
View the fishing area on the Karttatie map service
FAQ Frequently asked questions
The city of Oulu has several fishing areas. Do I need separate permits for all of them?
You do not need separate permits. The same permit applies to all areas where the permit is required.
Why can't I find information about fishing permits for the entire sea area or for all inland waters in the Oulu region?
This website only contains information about the fishing permit terms for the water areas managed by the city of Oulu. On this page, you can find the fishing permit terms of the city of Oulu by area.
In which areas can you fish with a youth permit?
In all areas within the conditions of other permit terms.
Where can I fish with one rod and one lure by paying just the fisheries management fee?
You do not need a fishing permit from the city of Oulu when fishing with one rod and lure in the following areas:
1a Sea, 1b Fish passage in the sea area, 1c Sea area in river delta, 3a The Oulujoki river, 4a Sanginjoki (excluding Sanginjoki special fishing area 4b), 6a Lakes (Valkiaisjärvi, Kinnulanjärvi, Ahmasjärvi, Lämsänjärvi) ja 6b Lakes (Kuivasjärvi, Pyykösjärvi, Niilesjärvi, Syväjärvi and Kaitajärvi). If you want to use more than one rod, you need a fishing permit from the city of Oulu. Please check regional restrictions.
In which areas is it prohibited to fish by paying only the fisheries management fee?
All fishing is prohibited in the Hupisaari 2b area. You need a permit from the city of Oulu to fish in areas Hartaanselkä 2a and 2c, as well as Sanginjoki 5a and 5b. In other areas, you need the city's permit if you want to fish with passive gear or use more than one rod. Please check the city of Oulu's region-specific restrictions. The Fishing Restriction Service (available also in English) provides information on which areas are outside general fishing rights.
Am I allowed to fish in the Hupisaari region?
No, you are not. All fishing is prohibited in the Hupisaari 2b area.
How many rods can I use to troll in Hartaanselkä?
In the Hartaanselkä 2a area, you can troll with four (4) rods from the boat and two (2) rods from the shore. In the special fishing area 2c, you can troll from a boat with four (4) rods and from the shore with one (1) rod.
Can I use a motor for trolling in Hartaanselkä?
Using a motor while the fishing line is in the water is prohibited in the Hartaanselkä 2c special fishing area. In the Hartaanselkä 2 area, a motor can be used also for trolling.
Can I use the motor for transit in Hartaanselkä?
Yes, you can. Please note the speed limits (website in Finnish) for waterway transport.
What methods can I use to fish in Hartaanselkä before June 15?
With all permitted fishing methods. Rotation between spinfluga fishing and boat fishing starts on June 15.
Can I use another lure connected to a casting weight in the Hartaanselkä special fishing area 2c?
No, you cannot. In spinfluga fishing, you can only use a fly connected to a casting weight with one single hook with a maximum hook size of 12 mm.
What kind of hook can I use in the Hartaanselkä special fishing area 2c?
The use of hooks is limited in spinfluga fishing. In the Hartaanselkä 2c area, you are allowed to use one single hook for spinfluga fishing with a maximum hook size of 12 mm. For other fishing methods, there is no limit to the size or number of hooks. Please note, however, that Section 46 of the Fishing Act prohibits intentional hooking of the fish from outside.
Where am I allowed to hook and line fish and ice fish with one rod?
Hook and line fishing and ice fishing with one rod is allowed in all water areas of the city of Oulu, except in the Hupisaari 2b area and in the currents and rapids of the Sanginjoki river.
What is spinfluga fishing?
Spinfluga fishing means fly fishing with a casting weight attached to the line.
What is "ootto" fishing?
Ootto rod is a fishing rod that usually has a reel. The weight sinks the line to the bottom of the water and a bobber or a floating bait raises the hook to mid-water.
What is hook and line fishing with a spinning rod?
Hook and line fishing with a spinning rod means using a casting rod with a bobber. It differs from hook and line fishing with a standard float rod (without a reel) in that the rod can be cast further from the boat or shore, and tiring a large fish is easier with the extra line provided by the reel.
What is ismete fishing?
Ismete fishing is bait fishing that is practiced in winter. In ismete fishing, short 120cm long rods are used most often with spinning reels. A bite indicator is used with this method. The advantage of ismete fishing is the possibility of using multiple rods, which requires a permission from the water owner. A larger area can be covered with more rods.
Why is the smallest permitted catch size of salmon 50 cm in the sea area and 60 cm elsewhere?
The smallest permitted catch size of salmon is 60 cm, but north of latitude 63°30 N in Perämeri the smallest permitted catch size is 50 cm.
