Fishing licences
The rapids of Kymijoki have been divided into several separate fishing locations, for which different licences are sold. Clicking the links below will take you to the fishing licence page of the desired fishing location, which will give you more detailed instructions on the licences.
In addition to the location-specific fishing licences, fishers between the ages of 18 and 65 must have paid the state fishing licence fee before they start fishing.
Help improve the natural breeding of salmon and trout in Kymijoki
The natural breeding of salmonoid fish is an essential requirement for the well-being of the fish population. Fish populations created through restocking will slowly lose an essential part of their resistance against diseases and exceptional circumstances. Fish that have passed the test of natural selection are more resistant. In addition, they are more wary of predators, resulting in a much better catch. Natural fry will also behave in a different way. They have a stronger compulsion to reach the river of their birth to spawn. On average, they arrive a couple of weeks earlier than hatchery-reared fish. Thus, the natural fish are also subject to sea fishing for a shorter period.
An encouraging amount of natural breeding of salmon and trout has been detected in all the free rapid areas of Kymijoki. The fry density has been remarkably high in places, but there are nevertheless areas where the production of fry could be better. The number of brood fish has a significant effect on the yield of fry in the rapids. If we used the catch-and-release method, we could have more spawning pairs of salmon and trout in the spawning areas. In the future, this would result in a better naturally-breeding salmon and trout population. Therefore, we recommend the use of catch-and-release in Kymijoki. It will help us contribute on our part to the breeding of natural salmon and trout in the river.
Handling of live fish and releasing:
- Use a dense, knotless mesh in the net.
- Avoid raising the fish in the air and dangling it.
- Handle the fish with wet hands. Detach the lure in the natural waters of the fish, if possible.
- Detaching the lure or fly is made easier by barbless hooks.
- Resuscitate the fish before you release it back. Hold the fish by the tail and under the stomach, underwater in the direction of the flow, head upstream, until the fish kicks itself loose.
- Unnecessary lengthening of the tiring of the fish must also be avoided.
