Fishing regulations

National fishing legislation

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

It is the fisher’s responsibility to check prohibitions and restrictions 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.  

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 Länsi Uusimaa fisheries region: 

15 April – 31 May in Nitlaxviken, Heimlax and Bölsviken
Lure and net fishing prohibited. 
To protect pike spawning. 
In force 2024–2028. 

1 May –30 September in Gennarbyviken and the Bonäsån catchment area
Eel fishing is allowed by special exemption 1.5.–30.9.
Exemption in force 2024–2026.
Remember to do the catch report in omakala!

Mesh Size Regulation in the marine waters
In the fisheries region’s marine waters, the minimum permitted mesh size will be 43 mm starting from December 17, 2027, in order to prevent undersized pikeperch from being caught as bycatch. When targeting pikeperch specifically, a clearly larger mesh size must be used. Net fishing for herring, sprat, and bait fish is allowed with smaller mesh sizes.
This decision remains in force until December 16, 2031.

For more detailed information about the restricted areas, please visit Kalastusrajoitus.fi 

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 above 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.