Levi's best fish tales

In Levi and its surrounding areas, there are many lakes, ponds, rivers and small streams. All of them are suitable for fishing, but below is a list of the well-stocked, best fishing waters to go. So, without more ado: the best fish tales start here!

To go fishing, you need a valid local fishing licence and a receipt of a paid fishing management fee.

The fishing management fee

In addition to the local fishing license, you need a receipt (with your name on it) of having paid the fishing management fee to the state. The fishing management payment is made to the bank account Nordea 166030-101496. The recipient is the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Finland. The fishing management fee is 22 € for a calendar year or 7 € for 7 days.

The fishing management fee is a tax-like fee payable to the state. The collected funds are used to benefit fishers and fishing waters in different ways. According to law, every person between the ages of 18 and 64 who practices fishing other than angling or jigging shall pay the fishing management fee. The fee is individual and it must be paid before fishing.

Further information about fishing licenses is available on the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry website at www.mmm.fi . See also www.ounasjoki.fi .

The Sirkka-Köngäs fishing license:

The Sirkka-Köngäs fishing licence is the most extensive in the region, most common fish species in parenthesis:
- Lake Levijärvi and Sirkkajärvi (perch, pike, whitefish)
- River Levijoki (brown trout, grayling, trout, whitefish)
- Lake Munajärvi in Köngäs (pike, perch, whitefish)
- Lake Rautusjärvi in Rautuskylä (pike, perch, whitefish)
- River Kulkujoki downwards from Veitservasa (brown trout, grayling)
- River Loukinen downwards from the branch of River Kapsajoki (trout, grayling, whitefish)
- River Ounasjoki downwards from Kuortanokoski until Torpaniva (grayling, trout, whitefish, pike)
- River Kapsajoki downwards from Alalaki (trout, grayling, brown trout)
- River Lismajoki

The fishing season is year-round, the licence costs 7€/day (24 h), 15€/week, 25€/month, and 40€/calendar year.

Licences can be purchased at Sirkan Kauppa shop and the Levi Tourist Information Centre where also maps are available.

River Ounasjoki

Map

Location: The river is born at Lake Ounasjärvi in Enontekiö, joining River Kemijoki in Rovaniemi.
Fishing season: all year round, except trout 11.9-15.11.
License price: 10 €/day, 20 €/week, and 40 €/season. Family license x 1.5. Family license includes 2 adults and children of the same household. Community license for 10 persons or larger groups (20% discount). (Joint license, see below.)
Available at: e.g. Levi Tourist Information, Sirkan Kauppa, Hotel Levitunturi
Restrictions: No catch quota. Minimum size for grayling is 30cm and for trout 40cm.

River Ounasjoki originating from Lake Ounasjärvi in Enontekiö joins River Kemijoki in Rovaniemi. The Ounasjoki is the longest river in Finland which is in its natural state. The unspoilt river is nearly 300 km long. Large rapids in the upper course include Raattamakoski, Mertakoski, Puksukoski, Tuomikoski, Pierkukoski, Tepasto and Köngäs. Rapid Riikonkoski, located above Kittilä village, is one the most famous and well-stocked rapids in Ounasjoki.

Joint license: The fishing area in River Ounasjoki starts in Sinettä by the southern border of the fishing area of the Tapionkylä Fishing Association. This marks the end of the region potentially affected by power plants. The river is in its natural state with rapids and still waters. The northern border of the fishing area lies at the border between the municipalities Kittilä and Enontekiö. Most local fishing associations are included in the joint licence, but please double-check when buying your license. The joint license allows you to fish in the main riverbed, but not in the tributaries. With the licence, the following types of fishing are allowed from the shore or a boat: trolling, casting and fly-fishing. According to the fishing law, ice-fishing is free of charge for everybody.

Catches are mainly grayling, trout, whitefish and pike. The biggest trout caught have been 9 kg. Every summer trout weighing 4-6 kg are caught.

Lake Immeljärvi

Location: Sirkka in Kittilä, west of the Levi fell.
Fishing season: all year round.
License price: 12 €/day, 40 €/week, and 120 €/calendar year (end of the calendar year).
Available at: e.g. Levi Tourist Information, Sirkan Kauppa, Hotel Levitunturi and Immelmökit.
Restrictions: Max. 3 fish of the salmonidae family/day. Two fishing rods per license, rods have to be at hand.
Boat rental: e.g. Hotel Levitunturi, Immelmökit, Immelkartano and Reijo Tiensuu (Kirstin Hieronta massages)

Lake Immeljärvi is located at the foot of the Levi fell, between fells Kätkätunturi and Levitunturi. This 1.6km long oval-shaped lake has recently been voted the most beautiful fishing ground in Lapland. What attracts fishermen is the regular planting of trout and grayling in the lake. Both trout and grayling thrive in this cold-water lake which at its deepest is 10 metres. The fine specimens which have avoided being caught may weigh more than 5kg. The biggest officially weighed lake trout has been 5.620kg.

Fishing is allowed with lure, fly, angle and jig from a boat. Motorboats are, however, not allowed. Keeping your own boat in the area or fishing from the shore is only allowed with the landowner's permission.

River Kapsajoki

Location: Northern side of the Köngäs-Pokka road in Kittilä. The fishing area is 30 km long.
Fishing season: all year round (except trout 11.9-15.11).
License price: 8 €/3hours, 10 €/day, and 30 €/week, 50 €/season
Available at: Levi Tourist Information

Kapsajoki is a river famous for its trout catches which was restored in 1994 after timber floating was ended. It belongs to the recreational fishing waters of Metsähallitus. Grayling and trout fry and some grown-up trout are planted in the river regularly. Kapsajoki is ideal for casting and fly-fishing, not to forget paddling and hiking. Please Note! Kapsajoki fishing license is valid until Alalaki. Downwards from Alalaki The Sirkka-Köngäs fishing license is required. Price of Sirkka-Köngäs license is 7 eur/ day, 10 eur/week, 17 eur/month and 25 eur/ calendar year (end of the calendar year).

Canoeing down Kapsajoki is an excellent way to explore the shore. The river is easy to paddle and a pleasant route for a few days' fishing trip. Along the river, you'll find several Lappish "kota" teepees and "laavu" lean-tos which are ideal places for short and longer breaks. Canoes can be rented and transport services booked from e.g. Perhesafarit, tel. +358 (0)16 643 861.

River Aakenusjoki

Location: West of Kittilä village. Joins River Ounasjoki near the centre of Kittilä.
Fishing season: all year round, except trout 11.9-15.11.
License price: 15 €/week and 30 €/year (calendar year)
Available at: Levi Tourist Information
Restrictions: 3 fish of the salmonidae family/day/licence.

River Aakenusjoki runs by the foot of the fell Aakenustunturi between Kittilä and Ylläs. The main catch is trout, but also grayling and whitefish have been caught. The best fishing spots can be easily reached by car.

Lake Pyhäjärvi

Location: Lake Pyhäjärvi lies 25km from Kittilä to direction Äkäslompolo.
Fishing season: all year round.
License price: summer season: 8 €/3 hours, 10 €/day, and 30 €/week.
Available at: Levi Tourist Information
Good to know: rental boats available.

Located between fells Pyhätunturi and Aakenustunturi, Lake Pyhäjärvi with its crystal clear water provides a beautiful setting for fishing large trout and grayling lurking in the depths. The area of the lake is 90 hectares and at the deepest it's over 30 meters.

A path runs around the lake and there are Lappish "kota" teepees and "laavu" lean-tos on the shore. If you have your own boat, you can launch it at the boat ramp at the north side of the lake. Ice-fishing is very popular here during early winter and late spring. For trolling and casting, the ideal fishing periods are early summer and late autumn just before the lake freezes.

Lake Kivijärvi

Location: Kivijärvi is located 32 km from Levi, by the fell Pallastunturi.
Good to know: private lake, enquiries Mr Raimo Köngäs, tel. +358 (0)400 419 847

Lake Kivijärvi is located 32 km from downtown Levi, close to the fell Pallastunturi. The lake is surrounded by Lapland's wilderness and fells. There are two Lappish "kota" teepees by the lake where you can cook your fresh catch.

You can also book a prepared meal in advance. At the north end of the lake there is a wilderness cabin where you can stay overnight or longer. In summer, the lake is easy to reach by car, in winter by snowmobile or snowcat.

Kivijärvi, with its clear water and stony bottom, is a 186 hectares large lake in its natural state. Its fish stock is very versatile: vendace, whitefish, lake trout, pike, burbot and perch, to mention a few. Types of fishing at Kivijärvi also vary: fishing with a seine, hook and line angling from the shore, using fishing rod with a reel, trolling, night fishing and ice-fishing.

Levi Tourist Information
Myllyjoentie 2
99130 Sirkka, Finland
Tel. +358 (0)16 639 3300
levi.info@levi.fi