According to fishing permit application data, as the coronavirus epidemic tightened its grip on Finland in March, an increasing number of people decided to go angling, the state-owned environmental services firm Metsähallitus announced on Wednesday.
As many as 50 percent more fisheries management fees were paid in March, compared to the same month in 2019. Meanwhile, the firm said fishing permit applications were also up by more than 30 percent during April and May, compared to a year ago.
Metsähallitus said that starting over the upcoming Midsummer weekend, the monitoring of fishing permits will be intensified in many areas this season. The firm said anglers are required to carry their permits when they are out fishing.
There are a variety of permits available, depending on the region and type of fishing. Angling permits, for example, allow people to take part in lure fishing, fly fishing as well as ice angling.
There are also trap permits available which allow people to fish with nets or traps. A separate permit is required for collecting crayfish, which are small freshwater crustaceans.
The firm noted that fishing permits need to be acquired by all anglers between the ages of 18-64. They can be purchased online at Metsähallitus' website (siirryt toiseen palveluun).
