Angling permit area

6576 Kolima-Keitele rapids route

Situated in Viitasaari, the traditional Kolima-Keitele rapids route offers three separate rapids and diverse fishing experiences. Permits are only available in limited quantities, which means there are enough fishing grounds for everyone. Alternatively, you can reserve the entire rapids for yourself and enjoy the surrounding nature in your own peace and quiet, together with your friends. The middle section of the route, Kellankoski, is intended only for fly fishers.

Various restoration projects have also been carried out on the rapids route to improve migratory fish habitats. Kyrönpuro, which previously was a part of the permit area, has been protected from all fishing.

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

Map files and brochures

Basic details of the area

Municipality: Viitasaari
Region: Keski-Suomi
Fishing period: 1 December–31 August. Wading is prohibited between 1 December and 31 May.
Permitted fishing methods: Casting (fishing with spinning rod), fly fishing, hook and line fishing, ice fishing
Required permits and fees: Angling permit, fisheries management fee. The need depends on the number of rods and lures or the water area. Always check "Permits needed for fishing".
Hook and line fishing and ice fishing: Permitted free of charge in still waters, prohibited in running waters
Angling permits for the area: 12 hours, 24 hours, 6 hours, reservation for the entire rapids, youth permit
Targeted catch: Grayling, perch, pike, trout, whitefish
Fisheries management: Fry stocking of natural fish stocks
Area characteristics: Fly fishers favourite
Special features of the area: The three rapids of Kolima-Keitele rapids route offer diverse fishing experiences. There are campfire sites, lean-to shelters and a rental hut at the rapids.
Restrictions: Only traditional fly fishing is allowed at Kellankoski rapids. 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 five persons may fish simultaneously at Kymönkoski, five at Kellankoski and six at Kärnänkoski.

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

Only traditional fly fishing is allowed at Kellankoski rapids.

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 Kolima-Keitele 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.

Please note that there are no-fishing zones in the permit area. These zones are marked on the permit area map.

Services in the area

There are campfire sites and lean-to shelters at the rapids for both anglers and hikers to enjoy. There is also a rental hut at Kärnänkoski rapids.

Further information

Fisheries management

Plantings are mainly done with trout that have had their adipose fin cut off.

Major restoration work was carried out along Kolima-Keitele rapids route in 2018 and 2022. Migratory fish habitats in Kärnänkoski, Kellankoski and Kymönkoski, which are part of the permit area, were improved by such measures as creating more spawning and nursery grounds. The effectiveness of the restoration projects has been monitored using electric pulse fishing and redd inventories.

Discharge information

Current information on the discharge and water levels in Kellankoski rapids may be found at www.ymparisto.fi (in Finnish).

Impact of water temperature on fishing

You can monitor the real-time temperature of the water in Kellankoski 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.