Fishing in Enontekiö
A year-round fisherman's paradise of crystal-clear lakes and sparkling mountain rivers, with salmon, grayling, whitefish and trout to be caught.
Enontekiö's crystal-clear lakes and sparkling mountain rivers are a year-round fisherman's paradise. Salmon and grayling run the Könkämäeno and Lätäseno, while whitefish and brown trout wait in Lake Pöyrisjärvi and countless remote fell lakes.
- Salmon, grayling, whitefish, trout, pike, perch and burbot, year-round
- Angling and ice fishing fall under Everyman's Rights
- Salmon best early July to mid August, fly-fishing late June to end of August
- The Enontekiö ice fishing competition and Kilpisjärvi's 'Only Two Fish'
Permits and Everyman's Rights
Angling and ice fishing are Everyman's Rights everywhere except the flowing waters of the wilderness area. All other fishing needs the landowner's permit, the annual state fishing management fee (ages 18 to 64) and fishing permit 1551 for Enontekiö. A provincial lure fishing permit covers the wilderness area's lakes.
Buy permits at the Metsähallitus netstore, at Skierri (the Fell-Lapland Nature Centre), at other Metsähallitus service points and from local tourist enterprises. Every fisher also needs a Hetta shareholder association permit from private tourist services. Fishing is forbidden in most of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
02Where to Fish
Ice fish Lake Ounasjärvi and Lake Muotkajärvi in winter. In summer, try the Rivers Ounasjoki and Närpistöjoki near Hetta, or rent a boat and lure fish Lake Ounasjärvi.
The River Pöyrisjoki and other wilderness rivers suit fly and lure fishing, with whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), pike (Esox lucius), perch (Perca fluviatilis), burbot (Lota lota), grayling (Thymallus thymallus) and trout (Salmo trutta) among the catches. In Lake Pöyrisjärvi the dominant whitefish weigh 200 to 300 grams.
03Best Seasons and Local Events
Salmon fishing is best from the start of July to mid August, and fly-fishing from late June to the end of August.
04Where and when to fish
In short, fish the rivers near Hetta in summer, the lakes through the ice in winter, and the wilderness rivers such as the Pöyrisjoki whenever the fly rod calls.
05Ice-fishing competitions
The classic Enontekiö ice fishing competition falls at the end of April or start of May. Thousands enter Kilpisjärvi's famous 'Only Two Fish' competition each year, where prizes are big and catches so rare that some join just for the prize draw. Karesuvanto hosts a Fly Fishing Contest at the beginning of August.
06Fishing management fee
The fishing management fee is 24 euros for a calendar year (valid until 31 December) or 7 euros for seven days. The provincial lure fishing fee is 31 euros for a calendar year or 7 euros for seven days. Under 18s and over 64s fish free of charge. Angling, jigging and ice-fishing fall under everyman's rights and need no licence.
Good to know
- Season
- Year-round (best salmon: Jul-mid Aug)
- Key wilderness permit
- Permit 1551 for Enontekiö
Ready when you are
Real wilderness, 200+ huskies, eighteen winters in.