Recreational fishing 2022

Change in statistics 12.2.2025

Read more on the page Changes and corrections in the statistics.

According to the 2022 recreational fishing statistics, the number of recreational fishers increased to 1.8 million. The number of fishers aged 25–44 years grew relatively the most, showing an increase of more than 50 per cent from 2020. 

• The last time the number of recreational fishermen was at the same level was in 2008. A third of all Finnish people went fishing. A total of 43 per cent of Finnish men and 23 per cent of women went fishing.
• The total recreational fishing catch increased to slightly more than 33 million kilos from the less than 31 million kilos recorded in 2020. In addition, 2.5 million kilos of fish was released.
• The total catch increased the most for pikeperch and roach. The pike catch increased from 6.5 to 8.2 million kilos, the pikeperch catch from 2.7 to 4.3 million kilos, and the roach catch from 1.6 to 3.1 million kilos. In contrast, the perch catch decreased from 11.4 to 9.9 million kilos and the vendace catch from 2.6 to 1 million kilos.
• A total of 33 per cent of the catch was caught using gillnets, while the corresponding figure in 2020 was 36 per cent. Fish traps and trap nets accounted for 10 per cent of the total catch. In 2020, the corresponding figure was 18 per cent. In terms of angling gear, the largest catch was recorded by using a spinning rod or by trolling, accounting for 30 per cent of the total catch.
• Stocked fish with clipped adipose fin accounted for 72 per cent of the trout catch, 19 per cent of the Atlantic salmon catch and 77 per cent of the land-locked salmon catch, including catch released alive.
• The information is based on a nationwide survey with a sample of 11,000 household dwellings obtained from the Population Register. A survey was mailed to them at the beginning of 2023. In addition, some of non-respondents were interviewed by telephone.