Ruunaa is situated in the rugged wilderness of Eastern Finland. This 16 kilometres long rapids destination with its lakes offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities. In Ruunaa you have the opportunity to enjoy peace and experience the clean and pristine Eastern Finnish nature. Make sure to read Metsähallitus’s fishing rules from below before going fishing to Ruunaa!
Ruunaa can be said to be one of the most versatile destinations in Finland when it comes to fishing. Despite Ruunaa’s remote location right by the Russian border, moving around the area is effortless. You can get close to the fishing spots by car using well-maintained forest truck roads, and hiking along the rapids is simple thanks to well-marked trails.
Ruunaa Rapids are an extremely interesting destination for anglers. One of the rapids, Neitikoski, is designed as a fishing spot the whole family can enjoy. Moving along Neitikoski is easy and safe thanks to wooden piers. You may top off your outdoors experience at one of the campfire sites along the bank where you can enjoy your lunch by a living flame and vivid vistas over the rapids. The fish you caught may also be prepared on the campfire or even smoked in one of the smokers found in the area. All of this is only within a few hundred metres of the camping area, which makes it easy to organise a day out in the rapids with the entire family!
Anglers who appreciate their privacy can also find their own little spots either at the rapids or on the shores of the lakes in between the rapids. The Haapavitja and Siikakoski Rapids are known as exceptional grayling and trout spots. You can use both flies and lures to catch these fish.
Ruunaa Rapids is managed by Finnish Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest Administration)
Ruunaa Rapids and the lakes between them are part of Metsähallitus recreational fishing area no. 7525, where a fisheries management fee (eräluvat.fi) is required. Because it is a special fishing site fishermen also need an area-specific recreational fishing permit (no. 7525) (eräluvat.fi). Permits may also be purchased on the Metsähallitus Eräluvat web shop (verkkokauppa.eraluvat.fi).
The general fishing rights have been removed everywhere except Lake Neitijärvi and Kattilampi Pond. Fishing from a boat is permitted throughout the region. Use of a motor boat for fishing (trolling) and anchoring boats in rapids and running areas are prohibited.
Hook-and-line fishing and ice fishing are allowed in Lake Neitijärvi and Lake Kattilalampi. Lure fishing is permitted in Lake Neitijärvi and Lake Kattilalampi. For lure fishing, persons aged 18 to 69 must pay a fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi).
Fishers need to check the restrictions on fishing sites at kalastusrajoitus.fi (In Finnish).
The lakes between the rapids are very plentiful and little-fished places. At the lakes you may catch pike, perch and pikeperch either by casting or rowboat trolling. The shores of the lakes are unbuilt and completely pristine. As you move on the lake, fishing in peace, you can truly feel the presence of the wilderness. Good spots for fishermen with boats can be found upstream from the Neitikoski, Siikakoski and Murrookoski rapids. Boats can be hired from local entrepreneurs.
The services in Ruunaa are very diverse and plentiful. You can choose from a wide variety of different types of accommodation from simple, no-thrills lodgings to fully-stocked cottages. If you are intending to set up a tent or you are driving a caravan, there are comfortable places for those too with various services.
| Type: | Rivers |
| Length: | 16 km |
Fish Species: Brown trout, Grayling, Rainbow trout, Whitefish, Zander
