Recreational fishing 2024

Data corrected on 3.11.2025. ​

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

In 2024, there were 1.6 million recreational fishers in Finland. The number of recreational fishers declined from 2022, but was still higher than in 2020, when there were just under 1.5 million recreational fishers. The statistics include Finns who have fished at least once during the statistical year or steered a boat while another person was fishing.

• Twenty-nine percent of Finns fished in 2024. Forty-one percent of men and 18 percent of women fished. The number of women who fished declined, while the number of men who fished remained at almost the same level as in 2022.
• Recreational fishers accumulated a total of 19.1 million fishing days.
• The catch of recreational fishers, including fish caught and released, was nearly 35 million kilograms. Just over a quarter of the catch was released alive, and retained catch was approximately 25 million kilograms.
• Perch, pike, and zander are the most important species caught by recreational fishers. Of the retained catch, 8 million kilograms was perch, 6 million kilograms was pike, and 4 million kilograms was zander.
• Of the retained catch, 66 percent was caught angling, and 27 percent with nets.
• The most popular fishing gear was hook and line, used by 56 percent of recreational fishers. Almost as popular was spinning rod, used by 53 percent of recreational fishers.
• The statistics is based on a sample survey of 11,000 household-dwellings selected from the population register. A postal survey was sent to them in early 2025. In addition, some of those who did not respond to the postal survey were interviewed.

Starting from the statistical year 2024, the statistics will include, in addition to the reported variable, its relative standard error, which reflects the uncertainty associated with the statistical estimate. From 2024, statistics are also published by regions of Finland.