Inarijärvi 1504

Lake Inarijärvi is sometimes referred to as a wilderness sea, which is a very good description of Finland’s third largest lake. Its large open waters, more than 3,000 islands and many shallow areas make this lake a unique destination. Despite numerous islands and a long shoreline, there is little settlement and very few cottages on the shores of Lake Inarijärvi. Especially in the northern parts of the lake, visitors are really on their own, far from the sounds of engines or urban activity.

Lake Inarijärvi is particularly popular with trolling enthusiasts and anglers looking to catch some grayling. Whitefish is a common catch for fly fishing enthusiasts. The large open waters are the best place when trolling for trout. Lake Nitsijärvi, which is connected to Lake Inarijärvi, is also a popular trolling destination.

The best place to find trout is at the edges of banks with a steep drop. The prime grayling spots are the rocky shallows near the shores and around the lake’s numerous islands. Grayling is most often found at depths of less than 2 metres. When trying to catch char, relatively deep waters (at depths of 10–20 metres) are the best choice.

Ice fishing for grayling and perch is popular throughout the lake. Ice fishing is also a good way to catch whitefish in the winter. The best ice fishing spots are located in Jokisuunselkä, where the perch waters begin a few hundred metres out of Veskoniemi fishing harbour.

The number of this permit area will change in 2024. The new number is 1504.

Inarijärvi

Fishing licenses Recreational fishing (angling)

Fishing period Calendar year.

Recommended forms of fishing Trolling, Ice fishing, Casting, Fly fishing

Target species Trout, Arctic char, Grayling, Whitefish, Perch, Pike, Landlocked salmon

Fisheries management Natural fish stock, Fry stocking of natural fish stocks

Level of service Campfire site, Lean-to shelter, Own boat, Boat launch, Cottage, Suitable for people with reduced mobility, Rental hut

Permit area map

Location Lapland, Inari

Purchasing a permit

Permits for 2024 become available on 4 January 2024.

Number of permits

A total of 13 000 fishing days are available for sale in Lake Inarijärvi angling permit area. There is no daily quota.

A total of 500 seasonal permits are sold.

Permit price and validity

In Lake Inarijärvi angling permit area, the customer can choose between a validity period of 24 hours or the entire season. The angling permit prices are as follows:

permit validity	permit price
24 hours	15 €
The entire season (calendar year)	100 €

Persons under 18 years of age can buy the angling permit at half price.

Persons under 15 years of age may fish under the angling permit and within the fishing quota of an adult belonging to the same party, without needing to purchase an angling permit of their own.

Buy licence from web store
Catch reports
Service number 020 69 2424 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–3 PM)

Where to purchase A permit

Online store

You can pay licences using the most common payment methods in the online store (verkkokauppa.eraluvat.fi).

Service number for fishing and hunting permits: +358 20 69 2424

Metsähallitus' fishing permits may also be purchased by phone. The service is open on
weekdays from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Permit vendors

Ivalo: Ivalon Eräsoppi (hiking and camping store)
Ivalo: Ivalo Customer Service (nationalparks.fi)
Inari: Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida (nationalparks.fi)
Rovaniemi: Lapland Fishing Oy
Rovaniemi: Science Centre Pilke (nationalparks.fi)
Sodankylä: Urheilu Harjus Sportia

Permit terms

Permit terms for the area

Fishing period: Calendar year.

Please, check more detailed fishing regulations: Inari Fishing Area fishing regulations for 2024 (PDF, 156 kb, opens in a new tab, in Finnish).

Exceptions to the fishing period

By the decision of the Inari Fishing Area all fishing, except fishing with a rod and lure, is prohibited between 1.9.–15.12. in the Nuoransuuselkä area. Please, check the borders of the restricted area on the permit area map.

When do you need an angling permit

Lake Inarijärvi angling permit 1504 is needed when you fish with more than one (1) rod. General fishing rights apply in Lake Inarijärvi 1504 permit area. This means that you do not need to purchase an angling permit or pay the fisheries management fee for hook and line fishing or ice fishing. Lure fishing with one (1) rod is also permitted in these still water areas for persons who have paid the fisheries management fee or who are under 18 years of age, over 70 years of age or have reached the age of 65 or more by 31 December 2023.

Fishing gear, bait and waste

One angling permit grants the right to use at most eight (8) rods or lines at the same time, each one with no more than two (2) lures.

In the municipalities of Upper Lapland (incl. Lake Inarijärvi angling permit area) it is prohibited to use bait fish when hook and line fishing, ice fishing or lure fishing. This is to prevent the spread of the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite. To prevent the spread of other parasites, it is recommended to bury the waste after gutting the fish you have caught.

In order to prevent the spread of the Gyrodactylus salaris parasite and Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), fishing gear brought from outside to the Lake Inarijärvi angling permit area must be completely dry. It is also recommended to disinfect fishing gear at disinfection points before starting fishing. Fishing gear can be disinfected

at the SEO service station in Ivalo and
at Inari fish harbour.

These actions to stop the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite are based on the decree by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. More information about the Gyrodactylys salaris parasite and how to prevent spreading it: Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Lapland, Finnish Food Authority (ruokavirasto.fi) and Nationalparks.fi.

Catch quotas

Catching more than three (3) trouts, Arctic chars or landlocked salmons during a 24-hour period is prohibited. For example: You can catch two trouts and one Arctic char, but catching two trouts and two Arctic chars is prohibited.

There is no catch quota limit for other fish species.

Catch sizes and protection periods

The following catch sizes and protection periods for fish species are in effect for this permit area:

Fish species	Catch size	Protection period
Trout	At least 50 cm	No protection period in this permit area
Grayling	At least 30 cm	No protection period in this permit area
Landlocked salmon	At least 60 cm	No protection period in this permit area
Arctic char	At least 45 cm	No protection period in this permit area

Fishers must observe the catch sizes and protection periods mandated in the Fishing Decree for other fish species.

Further information

The lake has two rental cabins and several wilderness cabins and campfire sites. In the winter there are marked snowmobile trails.

More information about Lake Inarijärvi and fishing there is available in the following Metsähallitus service points:

Ivalo Customer Service (nationalparks.fi) in Ivalo. Their telephone number is +358 206 39 7701.
Northern Lapland Nature Centre Siida (nationalparks.fi) in Inari. Their telephone number is +358 206 39 7740.

The lake also has great sights such as Ukonsaari Island and the Korkia-Maura Ice Cave. You can search for sights and other destinations in this area at Nationalparks.fi.

More information on the fishing regulations of the Inari Fishing Area is available at www.inarinkalatalousalue.fi (in Finnish).