pescaday
DEMy area

Fishing licence worldwide

Fishing licence in Finland: what anglers need

With one rod without lures, ice fishing and a simple herring rig you can fish almost anywhere for free. For lure fishing you pay the state fisheries management fee (kalastonhoitomaksu) from 18 to 69.

Checked on 13.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.

Go to the official licence page
Sea
partly
Freshwater
partly

Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Finland?

At sea too, fishing with one rod without lures, ice fishing and a simple herring rig are free. For lures you need the fee from 18 to 69, it covers one rod almost everywhere and in state-owned public sea areas. There the fee also covers several rods and traps.

Source: Eräluvat (Metsähallitus), Fisheries Management Fee, ohne Seitendatum, abgerufen 13.10.2026

Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in Finland?

Fishing with one rod without lures, ice fishing and herring rigs are free, except in rapids and currents of migratory fish waters and in closed areas. Lure fishing with one rod is allowed almost everywhere with the fee. For several rods or traps you also need the water owner's permission.

Source: Eräluvat, Fisheries Management Fee und Hook and line fishing and ice fishing, abgerufen 13

How much is a fishing licence in Finland?

Fisheries management fee: year 47 € (1 January to 31 December), week (7 days) 16 €, day 6 €. Sales points add a 3 € service fee, not at visitor centres (except Koli Nature Centre Ukko).

Source: Eräluvat (Metsähallitus), Fisheries Management Fee, abgerufen 13.10.2026

Where do you buy a fishing licence for Finland?

You pay online at Eräluvat (Metsähallitus) or by phone at +358 20 69 2424. The receipt is your proof, on paper, plastic or electronic.

Source: Eräluvat, Fisheries Management Fee, abgerufen 13.10.2026

What about children, teens and seniors?

People aged 18 to 69 pay the fee. Exempt are under 18s, over 70s and anyone who turned 65 by 31 December 2023 (born 1958 or earlier). Permits from water owners for several rods or traps apply to all ages.

Source: Eräluvat, Fisheries Management Fee, abgerufen 13.10.2026

What applies to visitors from abroad?

The obligation depends only on age and method, not nationality. The receipt shows name, contact details and date of birth, you do not need a Finnish personal ID number. If you do not carry the receipt, you must show it at a police station within seven days. Not paying can cost a fixed fine of 100 €.

Source: Eräluvat, Fisheries Management Fee, abgerufen 13.10.2026

Which catch and take-home rules apply?

Salmon: at most 2 per person per day, at least 60 cm (Bay of Bothnia north of 63°30' N: 50 cm). Wild sea trout with adipose fin are fully protected at sea. Zander at least 42 cm. In rivers and streams salmon and trout are protected from 1 September to 30 November. Rights holders may set stricter sizes.

Source: Eräluvat, Minimum catch sizes and protection periods (nach Fischereiverordnung), abgerufen

What else should you know?

The fee does not allow fishing in Åland. Closed and restricted areas are shown on the map at kalastusrajoitus.fi. In Upper Lapland boats and fishing gear from other river systems must be completely dry or disinfected before use, and bait fish (live or dead) are banned there.

Source: Eräluvat, Fisheries Management Fee

Not confirmed yet

The law text (Fishing Act 379/2015) on finlex.fi could not be loaded, the facts rely on Eräluvat (Metsähallitus). Rules and costs in Åland not checked.

Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.

Next steps

Other countries

Sources (3)

Not legal advice. Rules and prices change; the linked authority and the local water permit are what count. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

Know more?

Additions, photos of your catches or a mistake in the text: write to us and we will gladly credit you as a helper.

Send a tip