Angling permit area

5505 Yli-Vuokki

Yli-Vuokki is a beautiful chain of small lakes, streams and rapids in the nearly uninhabited wilderness of Kainuu. The water system originates in the historical region of Viena in Russian Karelia.

Roaring rapids, open lakes and tranquil forest ponds await the angler in Yli-Vuokki permit area. The lakes and ponds are rich in perch, pike-perch and pike. The rapids are home to spot-sided trout and shiny, silver grayling.

Lake Kevättijärvi is a part of the permit area and the lake's fish stock has been reinforced with plantings of brown trout and landlocked salmon for a number of years. Now the lake is abundant with great, catch-sized salmonids! Lake Kevättijärvi is also a great place for catching sizable perch.

The best way to fish is to use one's own rowing boat, which can be launched from the slipway (marked on the PDF map). There are also a couple of rental boats; see more information below in Services in the area.

Most of the rapids and other waters in the area are easily accessible via comprehensive network of roads.

Map files and brochures

Basic details of the area

Municipality: Suomussalmi
Region: Kainuu
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. 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: 24 hours, 7 days, youth permit
Targeted catch: Landlocked salmon, perch, pike, pike-perch, trout, whitefish
Fisheries management: Catch size fish stocking, fry stocking of natural fish stocks, natural fish stock (no stockings)
Area characteristics: Fly fishers favourite
Special features of the area: Easily accessible and versatile fishing destination with ponds, lakes and streams.
Restrictions: Check the restrictions carefully in the permit terms.

What's new

Permits needed for fishing

The need for an angling permit depends on the type of waterbody and how many rods and lures you will use.

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. You will also require an angling permit when fishing with multiple rods or lures.

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. If you are hook and line fishing or ice fishing with more than one rod, you are required to purchase an angling permit and pay the fisheries management fee.

In Lake Kevättijärvi and Lake Louhilampi you will need an angling permit for all fishing – including hook and line fishing and ice fishing.

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.

Services in the area

Boats for fishing in Lake Kevättijärvi may be rented from the Ala-Vuokki general store (visitsuomussalmi.fi, in Finnish).

Tips

If you are interested in catching perch, Yli-Vuokki is a particularly tasty destination. Lake Kevättijärvi and the other lakes and smaller ponds in the permit area are home to very sizable specimens. Anglers have caught big perch even in the area's tiniest ponds, as well as in the larger lakes. The area's ponds are best fished using small and small-ish jigs weighing 5-7.5 grams. In the winter you should try a balance lure. Big perch can be extremely passive at times and refuse all treats offered to it. In these situations a grub jig the colour of motor oil might just be the lure that saves the trip.

Lake Kevättijärvi is a great destination for people who are interested in topwater fishing for perch and pike. By mid-June, the water has warmed up a bit and pike strike various topwater lures in the shallow bays. Topwater lures that float on the water surface produce fierce strikes. Perch become active in the heat of July and August, and schools of fish are visible in shallow waters near the shores of Lake Kevättijärvi. You can also catch these fish with a spinner or jig, but topwater lures are the most rewarding. Seeing the wake of three large perch appear behind a topwater lure is an exciting experience for even the most experienced fisher!

Lake Kevättijärvi is an amazing destination for fly fishers – unweighted flies are a great way to attract pikes or perch in shallow water! The shore is hard and shallow in many places, which makes it suitable for wading. After finding a good spot, you can tie your boat to the beach and wade out from the beach to continue fishing.

Further information

Fisheries management

Lake Kevättijärvi is stocked with 2–3-year-old brown trout and landlocked salmon, and many of the area's other lakes are stocked with fry-sized grayling and whitefish.

The rapids of Yli-Vuokki lake route are stocked with catch-sized trout if fish is available.