SPORT FISHING
MAP OF ÅLAND’S FISHING AREAS Find your favourite area
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT The abundance of fish is the vital requirement for great sport fishing experiences. Åland is an archipelago area where fishing has always had a great importance, both as a source of income as well as a recreational activity. The Åland Government annually conducts large fish transplantations in cooperation with the local fishing communities. Most of the income from the sport fishing licenses is used for purchasing of fish fry from Ålands fiskodling, the local fish farm. Many initiatives for promoting the natural fish reproduction are taken continuously. Among other things, a large fishing conservation project is underway to map all appropriate reproductive aquatic areas to improve their status. Åland’s Lokalkraft Leader project thrives at implementing as many fish conservation projects as possible. Ålands Fiskevårdsförening’s fishery management association stands for an interesting ongoing project for the benefit of trout streams, among other things. The interest in fish conservation is strong in Åland and all sport fishing guides are involved in various fishing conservation projects. We all want to have clean and fish-rich waters.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE OUTER ARCHIPELAGO In the spring 2018, the Åland Government Property Board planted 30,000 pike fingerlings at three different locations in the Björkör archipelago. The aim is to try to re-stock the pike in the outer archipelago, south of Mariehamn. In the photo you can see Mathias Engström together with Linda Sundström, Calle Storå and Kaj Porko laying out copepods and mysidas in the sea. Calle, being one of the most engaged and skilled fishermen, does his very best to ensure that the pike stocks have access to food. Linda and Mathias are working with the Åland Government’s fishery management project.
RESTOCKING OF FISH Restocked fish by Ålands Fiskodling fisheries management association. On www.fiskekarta.ax you can see how the restocks are divided on different fishing license areas. YEAR Sea trout Pike, hatched
2016
2017
2018
192 000
159 000
195 000
2 633 000
1 435 000
1 960 000
210 000
179 000
195 000
Whitefish, hatched Whitefish, 1-summer-old
FISHING RULES Today, hand gear fishing is mainly conducted as recreation, catch & release. In order to avoid possible overfishing and to protect vital fish populations, the following catch limits are recommended: • • • •
Pike Pike perch Sea trout Perch
55–80 cm, 1 pike per person and day 40–60 cm, 1 pike perch per person and day 50 cm – no max. limit, 1 sea trout per person and day 20 cm – no max. limit, 10 perch per person and day
The general recommendation is to use barbless hooks for C&R fishing Exceptions from the above general recommendations can occur, check the regulations of your fishing license The fishing rules are developed by the local fisheries management association Ålands Fiskevårdsföreningen r.f. in collaboration with the Åland Government’s Fishery Board
WWW.FISKEKARTA.AX
On this website you can find the digital map of all fishing license areas, boat launching ramps, information and rules for the areas. Here you can also buy fishing licenses online and see the latest updates.
Ă…LANDS HAV
Normal fishing rules Limited fishing Fishing prohibited
SALMON TROLLING The Ă…land Sea is excellent for salmon trolling in May and June.
NEWS The fishing license of the Åland Government Property Board Fastighetsverket also gives you the right to fish on the town of Mariehamn’s fishing area. Now you can also fish from the seashore in springtime at Hammarudda, Kungsö, Prästö and Bomarsund fishing areas. There will be more fishing areas to come.
ÅLAND – YOUR FISHING PARADISE With its shallow and reedy bays, thousands of islands and long shorelines, Åland offers optimal waters for many different species of fish. The combination of well-organized fisheries management, protected archipelago fishing and trolling at the open sea guarantee versatile sport fishing experiences for all tastes and ages. Welcome to enjoy your sport fishing adventure!
FISHING GUIDES Local fishing guides help you to find the best spots and the right fishing methods. For more information and booking, see www.visitaland.com/en/do/sport-fishing
FISHING PACKAGES Travel operators with focus on fishing can help you with tailor-made fishing packages to Åland: Ålandsresor Åland Travel Ab info@alandsresor.fi www.alandsresor.fi Phone +358 18 28040 Eckerölinjen www.eckerolinjen.se Phone +46 175 25800 Viking Line Sverige www.vikingline.se/fiske Phone +46 8 4524273 Viking Line Finland www.vikingline.fi/fiske www.vikingline.fi/kalastus Phone +358 18 26126
FISHING SEASONS In Åland you can fish all year round. Spring and autumn are the traditional high seasons for sport fishing, but summer and winter also offer opportunities for fantastic fishing experiences. Between autumn and winter, you can enjoy good sea trout fishing along the coastlines and fine ice fishing on the lakes and in the inner bays. The same applies early in the spring. Nowadays, fishing from the shore in springtime is allowed in several places.
PIKE FISHING is good once the ice has melted in the spring. However, autumn is the peak season for pike fishing. PERCH FISHING is getting more are more popular. There are excellent perch fishing spots all around the Åland Islands and the chances to catch big perch are good in the archipelago. You can also try fishing with a jig which makes it an exciting experience. When you find the right place for perch you can get never ending catches. A vivid summer perch and a light fishing rod make a fantastic experience. SEA TROUT FISHING is at its best in the spring and au-
Harriet’s grilled perch en papillote •
piece of fish or a fillet of perch per person
•
vegetables by choice fennel, paprika, red onion, spring onion, zucchini, radish etc
•
cold herb sauce 1 cup crème fraîche 1–2 garlic cloves 1 teaspoon herb salt, white pepper, chopped parsley, thyme, dill, chives, cress
tumn. When the water temperature rises above 8 –10 degrees, sea trout prefer deeper waters. Fishing from the shore is allowed on many coastlines also in the spring and thus the traditional sea trout fishing from a boat can now be combined with fly fishing. PIKE-PERCH FISHING is especially good in and from August onwards, but also during the summer. Please remember that pike-perch fishing is not allowed in June in Åland WHITEFISH FISHING with a fishing rod is excellent in April and May, but also in June when the whitefish seek shallow water areas. There is plenty of whitefish with good average size in Åland waters.
Take a sheet of aluminium foil per person, spread some vegetable oil and put a salted and peppered piece of fish on the foil. Add vegetables of your choice. Fold and close the foil parcel and lay it on coal or on a grill. Mix the cold herb sauce by whisking crème fraîche in a mixer to make it firm and fluffy. Add garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Choose different kinds of herbs and mix well before serving. Enjoy you fish with cold herb sauce and delicious fresh bread. www.martha.fi
PUBLISHER TEXT & LAYOUT PHOTO MAP PRINT
Visit Åland r.f. Lägerelden Ingmar Eriksson Björlin GITech Ab Mariehamns Tryckeri, 2019
visitaland.com