Angling Day

On Angling Day, under 18s get to go fishing for free at a number of Metsähallitus recreational fishing destinations. Angling Day is normally held on the first Saturday of the summer holidays, and every year sees the participation of around 1000 young anglers from all over Finland.

Angling Day, 8 June 2024

On Angling Day, Metsähallitus opens up over 30 fishing locations to children and young people. At some of the locations there will be instructors from the Finnish Federation for Recreational Fishing (SVK), and at the other locations children can fish independently together with their guardian. Logo of Angling day. A laughing fish jumps out of water.

AT THE LOCATIONS WITH INSTRUCTORS, fishing is free to all under 18s between 10 am and 3 pm. There is no need to register for the event beforehand – you can simply go on the day to the SVK instructor who will give you a badge which functions as a fishing permit. The instructors can also offer advice and tips, where needed, to help the young anglers to get going.

Angling Day has its own commemorative lure made by Kuusamon Uistin. It was first introduced in 2020. The Angling Day lure is not available for sale in shops – it is only available through participation in the free Angling Day event.

On Angling Day, only under 18s are allowed to fish at the locations between the hours above. The quota for each young angler is two salmonids. Sale of permits for adults continues after the event ends, at 3pm.

AT OTHER LOCATIONS, you can fish for free on Angling Day for the whole day (24h). These locations do not provide instruction or other organised activities. For these locations, you should register beforehand by sending the name of the young person and their guardian and the location where you intend to go fishing by email to vapapaiva(a)metsa.fi. The same message can include the names of several young people and their guardians. The messages are not responded to individually.

The guardian accompanying the young person (1 per child or youth) may also fish for free in these locations because they are acting as the instructor for the young person. The fishing quota for each young angler is two salmonids, and for the guardians one salmonid. Please note that fishing is free only in the locations listed below.