Fishing regulations

National fishing legislation 

Check the national catch sizes, catch quotas and closed seasons  here. 

It is the fisher’s responsibility to 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. 

Waters with migratory fish

In Porvoo-Sipoon fisheries region there are four rivers defined as waters with migratory fish; Ilolanjoki, Porvoonjoki, Mustijoki and Sipoonjoki. In the rapids and currents of these rivers angling, ice fishing, and fishing with only the fisheries management fee are always prohibited. However, the water owner has the right to sell permits for lure or fly fishing.

To help anglers and fishing supervisors identify these restricted areas, the boundaries of the rapids and currents in the two largest rivers have been defined by the ELY Centre. The boundaries have also been marked in kalastusrajoitus.fi.

• Map of river Porvoonjoki
• Map of river Sipoonjoki

Local fishing regulations

In addition to national restrictions and regulations the fisheries region has its own local fishing regulations. The following fishing regulations are in force within the fisheries region: 

Year-round
Gillnet restrictions
Throughout the entire fisheries region, the minimum mesh size (knot-to-knot) for gillnets over 1.8 meters in height is 50 mm. This restriction does not apply to commercial fishers (class 1) or to the fishing of Baltic herring, sprat, and baitfish.
In force 2023–2027.

April 1 – June 15
Långviken
All fishing is prohibited.
In force 2023–2027.

May 15 – June 15
Haikkoonselkä and Stensbölenselkä
All fishing is prohibited, except for hook-and-line angling and rod fishing for Baltic herring — both allowed only from the shore.
In force 2023–2027.

May 15 – June 15
Pieni Pernajanlahti
All fishing is prohibited, except for hook-and-line angling and rod fishing for Baltic herring — both allowed only from the shore.
In force 2024–2027.

May 15 – June 15
Siverfjärden (more precisely Insjön and Löparö sund)
All fishing is prohibited, except for hook-and-line angling.
In force 2023–2028.

August 15 – November 30
The rivers Mustijoki, Porvoonjoki and Ilolanjoki, including tributaries
All fishing is prohibited, except for hook-and-line angling, ice fishing (angling through the ice), and fishing with a fish trap (katiska).
In force 2023–2027.

August 15 – November 30
Sipoonjoki, including tributaries
All fishing is prohibited, except for hook-and-line angling and rod fishing for Baltic herring — both allowed only from the shore.
In force 2023–2027.

August 15 – November 30
Sipoonlahti
All fishing is prohibited, except for hook-and-line angling and rod fishing for Baltic herring — both allowed only from the shore.
In force 2023–2027.

More detailed information can be found at kalastusrajoitus.fi or check below for specific area details:

Pieni-Pernajanlahti – Lillpernåviken
Siverfjärden 
Decision regarding rest of the areas  
Map regarding rest of the areas

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.