Utsjoki region is a fishing paradise, far from the crowds.
The mighty Teno river, right by good road connection, connects the whole region and most water areas to the Barents Sea.
The highland areas – Kaldoaivi and Paistunturi wilderness areas – have several wilderness lakes and ponds with cold water, some within reach of a day trip, and by some you can spend the night at a wilderness hut or traditional lávvu-tent.
These waters are in excellent condition: water is so clear, you can see the rocks in the bottom and the fish swimming around.
We offer a wide range of guided and self-guided fishing holidays to different types of water areas and catch, from day trips to multi-day programs.
Depending on your preferences, we can tailor anything from luxury to budget travel, to pure wilderness fishing excursions. Read more about fishing in Utsjoki region from this article, and
send us email to inquire your tailored fishing holiday!
Our pristine, arctic nature is indescribably beautiful, and so are our fish.
For wilderness fishermen, the most beautiful catch is the red-bellied Arctic char. Arctic char is what many people seek during winter ice fishing here in Northernmost Lapland, but can also be caught throughout summer and autumn from our cool waters with flies or spinners.
River Teno is one of the best sites to catch grayling, a true beauty of the pure, Northern waters. River Teno is also a spawning river of the pink salmon and brown trout. Pink Salmon spawn in Teno from late June to end of summer, in a two year cycle, on uneven years (2023, 2025, 2027…).
In most rivers and also in some wilderness lakes, you can also catch Northern pike, which we call with the nickname ”Arctic crocodile”, especially when you catch the big ones. Throughout summer and also in late Autumn, a nice catch is also the whitefish, which is a delicacy caught especially from the bigger lakes. Another very common fish in many lakes is perch.
Fish as the means of surviving in the Arctic
Utsjoki is in the Sámi Homeland area, nowadays better known as Northernmost Finnish Lapland.
Fishing has been an important livelihood for the Sámi for centuries, the fish providing nutrition for families. Even today, there is not much fish products sold in local grocery stores, as many people still catch fish to eat.
What this means for fishing tourism, is that the catch and release -type of fishing or fishing as just a leisure activity is very rare in our region. When we go to catch fish, it is to provide a meal to someone (if not to the one who catches the fish, then to for example older members of the community, who are not able to go fishing them-selves anymore).
The only types of fish that are released are the species that are restricted, such as Atlantic salmon or other individuals that do not meet the regulatory criteria. With some fish species in wilderness lakes, we encourage our guests to release the bigger catch (if not injured), to support the reproduction of the stronger individuals in the small ecosystem.
Catching fish to eat is a long tradition in our remote community, but this culture might change at some point, with the increasing popularity of fishing as a sport. But as long as the fish stock seems to be in steady condition, we are happy to cook your catch for you on open fire, smoked in traditional way or as traditional raw salted fish (”gravlax”). If you don´t enjoy eating the fish you catch, you can always choose to donate it to elderly people in our village!
It is difficult to find any other place with such good fishing opportunities in the most peaceful surrounding, good services and spectacular wilderness setting.
With population density of 0,2/square kilometer, and about 150 km of Teno shoreline for fishing, few thousand square kilometers of wilderness areas, you are sure to have peace and quiet during your fishing trips in Utsjoki. Tourism is an important livelihood in the region, but as most companies and guides serve only private guests or very small groups, you can spend an entire day fishing, without even meeting anyone else.
So if you are looking for a very unique, Arctic fishing holiday, we are happy to help with arrangements! Send us email at arctic@travelutsjoki.com, and we can start from there.
Interested in our tours or private guiding? We’re here to help!
You can always send us email to inquire tours and if you have any questions. We reply within 1-2 business days!