Kuhmo’s extensive wilderness waters offer excellent opportunities for fishing in lakes, rivers, and even small tranquil wilderness ponds. Kuhmo boasts approximately 1500 lakes, smaller ponds, over 4000 kilometers of flowing waters, and 250 named rapids.
Fishing permits
In Kuhmo, there are extensive wilderness trolling areas that can be fished conveniently with a single fishing permit. These pristine lakes include Lentua, Lammasjärvi, Iivantiira, Kellojärvi, Änättijärvi, Lentiira, Jonkeri, and the regulated Ontojärvi.
The most famous rapids include Lentuankosket, Pajakkakoski, Änättikoski, and Nivankosket / Kaarnenkoski. Separate permits are required for rapids fishing locations. Specifically designed for fishing tourists, a three-day joint permit covering five major rapids includes: Pajakkakoski, Saarikoski, Iso-Lentuankoski, Pieni-Lentuankoski, and Änättikoski. More information is available at kuhmonkosket.fi (site available only in Finnish).
Additionally, fishing permits can be purchased online at kalakortti.com and eraluvat.fi, and some permits are available via mobile.
Arctic Waters has also conducted filming expeditions in Kuhmo, featured in Season 6, Episode 5, and Season 4, Episode 3.
Pajakkakoski also has an accessible rapids fishing site.
Sustainable fishing
A lot of good work has been done in Kuhmo to restore rapids, as trout need help both in the form of restoring spawning areas and through the planting of fry and egg boxes. Thanks to these restoration efforts, the populations of the endangered, wild trout have improved. The grayling population in Kuhmo is thriving. Pike, large dark perch, sizable ide, and many other fish species offer fishing tourists experiences similar to those enjoyed by the first fishers who arrived in the area long ago.