Guide for travelling anglers in the Land of a Thousand Lakes 
  English
 
Home Destinations Waters Species Fishing methods Services Fishing facts  
FishinginFinland.fi > Waters > Rivers > River Iijoki 
Lakes
Lake Ähtärinjärvi
Lake Höytiäinen
Lake Inarijärvi
Lake Kallavesi
Lake Keitele
Lake Kiantajärvi
Lake Kitkajärvi
Lake Kivijärvi
Lake Konnevesi
Lake Kyyvesi
Lake Lappajärvi
Lake Lohjanjärvi
Lake Näsijärvi
Lake Oulujärvi
Lake Päijänne
Lake Pielinen
Lake Puula
Lake Pyhäjärvi in Pyhäjärvi
Lake Pyhäjärvi in Säkylä
Lake Saimaa
Lake Suvasvesi
Lakes Kulovesi & Rautavesi
Lakes Kuusamojärvi & Muojärvi
Lakes Pielavesi & Nilakka
Lakes R-M-P
Lakes Ruovesi & Tarjanne
Rivers
Central Finland rapids
River Iijoki
River Kemijoki
River Kiiminkijoki
River Kokemäenjoki
River Kymijoki
River Merikarvianjoki
River Simojoki
River Teno
River Tornionjoki
River Vantaanjoki
Rivers Juutua and Ivalojoki
Rivers Kitka, Kuusinki & Oulanka
Ruunaa Rapids
Coast and Archipelago
Archipelago Sea
Gulf of Bothnia
Gulf of Finland
Small waters
Hossa
Lake Matildanjärvi
Lake Peurajärvi
Lakes Niemisjärvi, Evo
Pond Kaunislampi
Pond Teerilampi

Lapland Finnish Lake District West Coast South Finland, Archipelago

River Iijoki - well-stocked waters and riverside culture

 

Photo: M. Niskasaari
The gliding peace of River Iijoki.

River Iijoki streams through the Finnish landscape with its magnificent rapids and meandering spawning areas, originating from the limpid lakes of the north-eastern Koillismaa region and discharging its waters into the Bothnian Bay at the Ii municipal centre. Over the 370-kilometre journey of the main river channel, the level difference of 250 metres shapes a diverse flowing-water environment for a wide variety of species.

River Iijoki’s native stocks of migratory fish have been preserved successfully, despite the five power plant dams located along the route. Trout (Salmo trutta), grayling (Thymallus thymallus), whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) and salmon (Salmo salar) are the most sought-after catches in River Iijoki.

Photo: T. Mahosenaho 
The Kynkäänkoski Rapids in River Livojoki, a tributary of River Iijoki.
The Kynkäänkoski Rapids in River Livojoki, a tributary of River Iijoki.
 

River Iijoki and fishing areas

The upper sections of the handsome River Iijoki mostly run through sparsely populated, majestic hill sceneries, adorning the ‘waist of the Maiden of Finland’, as the narrow mid-section of the country is referred to. This is the starting point for a 20-kilometre rapids fishing site, covering 22 rapids or torrents with grayling and trout habitats. Moving downstream, the banks of the water body are graced with low-lying meadows and riverside villages, offering genuine cultural sights for those moving around on the water.

With its numerous races, rapids and pools, the middle section fishing area of River Iijoki is 53 kilometres long. The most common game species are grayling and trout in fast-flowing stretches and pike in slow-flowing pools. The Kipinänkosket Rapids form the longest continuous stretch of rapids in River Iijoki, running for a distance of 10 kilometres. In addition to fishing, the site is excellent for canoeing and hiking. About 60 kilometres from the City of Oulu lies the Kipinänkosket Rapids Fishing Resort.

The Korvuanjoki–Näljänkäjoki combined licence area covers 110 km of fishing waters in River Iijoki and its tributaries, Rivers Korvuanjoki and Näljänkäjoki. Fishing in the area is based on natural stocks, such as grayling as well as trout in some places. There are more than 60 rapids sites. Several sites are within easy reach by car.

Photo: Metsähallitus 
A habitat for young fish in the Kurjenkoski Rapids.
A habitat for young fish in the Kurjenkoski Rapids.
 

If you are looking for a beautiful wilderness, why not head to the limpid River Livojoki, a tributary of River Iijoki. The river offers fishing spots over a distance of about 40 kilometres. Just like on River Iijoki, there are also cultural landscapes along the Livojoki riverside, such as the Lake Aittojärvi Kyngäs Village, which is classified as a nationally valuable landscape area.

In addition to the above-mentioned fishing sites, River Iijoki tributaries also provide other fishing opportunities, such as River Pärjänjoki recreational fishing site and Kovalampi Pond. Further information on all of the above fishing sites, including campfire sites and resting places, fishing licences and maps, is available in Finnish and English at https://iijoenvesilla.fi.

Towards the lower reaches of River Iijoki, at the Yli-Ii district of Oulu, lies a stone-age village called Kierikki. The district’s snowfall is among the highest in Finland, with considerable floods in the springtime, and the lower reaches of River Iijoki have therefore been harnessed for energy production.

Photo: K. Vääräniemi 
A female salmon being released to spawning waters.
A female salmon being released to spawning waters.
 

Fishways and relocations of female salmon in River Iijoki

River Iijoki plays a unique role in the region and in the entire country. There are plans to build fishways across every power plant dam in the river to allow its native migratory stocks to move freely between the river and the sea, as they did at the dawn of time.

Relocations of mature female salmon across the barriers to the best spawning spots in the middle section of the river started even before fishway construction got underway. Salmon have been relocated every summer since 2009 and there is no end in sight until the fishways are finished. After decades of hiatus, the river is once more a spawning site for salmon and a starting point for smolt, or young migratory fish heading out to sea. When these young specimens are ready to head back to the river to spawn, they will be transported upriver on wheels (by lorry), as in previous years, until they can swim there on their own.

Photo: M. Niskasaari 
River Iijoki is home to grayling.
River Iijoki is home to grayling.
 

With its tributaries, the River Iijoki water system offers well-stocked fishing grounds and splendid nature experiences with diverse opportunities for recreational fishing – spinning, fly-fishing or trolling on a boat. River Iijoki is easily accessible and its stocks of fish are strong and diverse. Its well-managed fishing grounds offer chances of making quite generous catches. The beautiful sceneries with fast-flowing waters and riverbanks make for versatile canoeing or rowing routes.

The River Iijoki water system invites you to enjoy fishing and hiking in the midst of splendid natural sceneries and riverside culture!

 
 
© FishinginFinland.fi 2013–2024
 
Type:Rivers
Length:370 km
  
Game species
Brown trout
Grayling
Perch
Pike
Rainbow trout
Roach
Salmon
Sea trout
Whitefish

Fishing guides & trips

Lapland Fishing Ltd

Rivers Korvuanjoki and Näljänkäjoki

Photo: Metsähallitus 
River Näljänkäjoki, Vääräkoski Rapids.
River Näljänkäjoki, Vääräkoski Rapids.

The joint licence area of Korvuanjoki and Näljänkäjoki is a 110 kilometres long river destination for lure fishing in the narrowest part of Finland in the wilderness of North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu. The licence area covers dozens of running waters and rapids of various lengths. The size and versatility of the area make it likely that everyone will be able to find a fishing spot to their liking!

The banks of the rivers within the licence area consist of mainly commercial forests used in forestry, but there are also protected old woods in the area. The rivers were once cleared for log driving but they have later been restored to be more hospitable to salmonids.

The sparsely populated area offers only very modest services. Most of the rapids are accessible by car via forest truck roads. Reaching the more remote rapids might require some hiking.

Photo: Metsähallitus 
Särkisenkoski Rapids.
Särkisenkoski Rapids.

The most probable and sought-after target species in the area is grayling, but there are also places where you can catch trout. The rivers also have some perch and pike which can occasionally be caught even in the rapids.

The upkeep of the licence area's fishing waters is organised primarily with fishing arrangements. As needed, the fish stock is supplemented with fry plantings of species natural to the location, including grayling and trout. Catch-size fish is not planted into these rivers.

Photo: Metsähallitus 
Korpikoski Rapids in River Korpijoki.
Korpikoski Rapids in River Korpijoki.

The size of the river destinations within this licence area vary between the 20–45 metres wide rapids of Korpijoki to the stream-like 4–6 metre wide currents of the Välijoki and Karsikkojoki. Most rivers are 10–15 metres wide on average and their water is coloured by humus.

The rivers within the licence area are home to the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera). The freshwater pearl mussel requires the presence of trout or salmon in order to be able to reproduce. This mussel used to inhabit over 200 rivers in Finland as late as the early 20th century, but now this number has dwindled down to 70 because of pearl hunting, declining environmental conditions and the regression of salmonid stocks. The freshwater pearl mussel is a protected species and it may not be touched or plucked out of the water.

Photo: Metsähallitus 
Pitkäkoski Rapids in River Näljänkäjoki.
Pitkäkoski Rapids in River Näljänkäjoki.

Fishing Licences; Eräluvat.fi