Fishing license areas and regulations
It is useful to get acquainted with valid regulations for reel fishing and angling before your fishing trip to Åland.
The fishing grounds in Åland are partly privately owned by
individuals and companies and partly community owned by villages or
groups of fishing ground owners. Additionally there are public,
province owned waters that stretch 12 nautical miles outside the
village's borders and the province of Åland's private waters.
The water owner's permission or a fishing license is required for
sport fishing on privately or community owned waters and in the
province of Åland's public and private waters.
Fishing license areas
There is no common fishing
license that covers all of Åland, but there are 57 fishing license
areas and 16 areas owned by the province. The fishing license is valid
for spin fishing, ice fishing or angling in its respective areas. From
April 15- June 15, sport fishing from the shore is forbidden to protect
breeding sea birds.
The revenues from the fishing licenses finance the replenishment of
fish stock - each year almost two million fish fry from pike, sea
trout, whitefish and salmon are released.
Thanks to the short distances in Åland, you don't have to buy a
license only for the area that is nearest your accommodation. Instead,
all of Åland is open and you may choose to fish where you think the
fishing is best for the day.
General rules for sport fishing in Åland
- Avoid damaging nature or the environment.
- Get acquainted with valid regulations about restricted dates,
protected areas, minimum landing sizes and the delicate nature. Respect
the rules.
- Never fish without permission or a fishing licence for sport fishing.
- Use methods and equipment that improve the fish's chances for survival if/when it is released.
- Immediately kill caught fish that you intend to keep.
- Never catch more fish than you can use.
- Show respect for professional fishermen and traditional fishing's needs and equipment.
Minimum landing sizes:
Salmon 60 cm, Sea Trout 50 cm, Pike 50 cm, Pikeperch 37 cm, Bream 42 cm, Whitefish 35 cm