Angling permit area

6550 Kotala Rapids

Kotala Rapids contain two separate areas, Kituskoski and Vehmas-Koskelankoski. Kituskoski Rapids are reserved for fly fishing only and will give you a taste of the wilderness in the shade of an old-growth forest. Here you can enjoy nature and visit the native forests of Martti Kitunen, a famous bear hunter, on the banks of magnificent, free-flowing rapids.

A skilled fisher can catch a trout or a grayling in the eddies of the rapids. If you feel like taking a break from fishing, you can brew coffee over an open fire in the hut or walk the nature trail in the nearby old-growth forest.

You can check the real-time temperature of the water in Kituskoski during the snow-free season in the SensorMonitor service (map.sensormonitor.fi).

Map files and brochures

Basic details of the area

Municipality: Virrat
Region: Pirkanmaa
Fishing period: 1 December–31 August. Wading is prohibited between 1 December and 15 May.
Permitted fishing methods: Casting (fishing with spinning rod), fly fishing, hook and line fishing, ice fishing, trolling
Required permits and fees: Angling permit, fisheries management fee. Always check "Permits needed for fishing".
Hook and line fishing and ice fishing: Prohibited in running waters
Angling permits for the area: 12 hours, 24 hours, 6 hours, reservation for the entire rapids, youth permit
Targeted catch: Trout
Fisheries management: Fry stocking of natural fish stocks
Area characteristics: Fly fishers favourite
Special features of the area: Kotala rapids contain two separate areas, one of which is reserved for fly fishing only.
Restrictions: Only traditional fly fishing is allowed at Kituskoski. Check the restrictions carefully in the permit terms.

What's new

Keep in mind in this area

The number of anglers is restricted. No more than ten persons may fish simultaneously at Kituskoski Rapids and ten at Vehmas-Koskelankoski Rapids.

Permits for these two rapids are sold separately. Please check in advance whether permits are available for the desired time period.

Permits needed for fishing

In this permit area, you will need an angling permit when lure fishing in sections with rapids and running water. You will also be required to pay the fisheries management fee, unless you are under 18 years of age, over 70 years of age, or are 65 years of age or older as of 31 December 2023.

If you are lure fishing with only one rod and lure in still waters, such as river pools, payment of the fisheries management fee is sufficient.

Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are fully prohibited in running and rapids sections of waters with migratory fish stocks (i.e. also this permit area). In still waters, hook and line fishing and ice fishing are permitted free of charge with one rod.

Please note that the Kotala Rapids angling permit area practically comprises of flowing water only.

Waters and area-specific restrictions in the permit area

Always make sure to check the location of the permit area. Please see either the map window or the PDF map on this page. Enlarge the map window to view the location of the permit area more clearly.

Kotala Rapids permit area contains two separate areas: Kituskoski and Vehmas-Koskelankoski. Permits for these two areas are sold separately. Only fly fishing is allowed at Kituskoski Rapids.

Services in the area

Kotala Rapids has campfire sites and lean-to shelters available for anglers and hikers.

Kotala General Store is located at Vironkoskentie 72, 42870 Kotala.

Further information

Fisheries management

The rapids are mainly stocked with spawn or fry of trout. Development of the fish stock is monitored using electric pulse fishing.

Discharge information

Up-to-date information on the water level and flow situation in Lake Kitusjärvi is available at www.ymparisto.fi (in Finnish).

Impact of water temperature on fishing

You can monitor the real-time temperature of the water in Kituskoski during the snow-free season in the SensorMonitor service (map.sensormonitor.fi). Read the Guidelines for responsible fishing to know more about how you can take high temperatures into account when fishing. On this site you can also find information on possible suspensions of permit sales as temperatures rise.