Oksajärvi

Oksajärvi Fish Conservation Area manages fishing on 7 km of the classic salmon river Lainio älv, between the Pajala/Kiruna municipal boundary and the island of Väkkäräsaari. The fishing permit applies on the southern side of Lainio älv. The area includes the Taanikurkkio rapid section, where the river runs through a beautiful but often inaccessible canyon area, and the more easily fished Väkkäräkoski rapid below the pool. Just below the boundary of Oksajärvi FVO in Väkkäräkoski, skilled fishing guides now operate the nationally renowned salmon fishing at Camp Onka. Altogether, within Oksajärvi's section of the river there are approximately 5 km of rapids/running-water areas offering fishing for salmon, sea trout and grayling. Grayling are plentiful but rarely of really large sizes. Fish weighing 5-8 hg are common, but fish of one kilo and larger are caught every summer, not infrequently as by-catches on deeply fished salmon flies. Salmon are more common than one might initially think. The area, especially Taanikurkkio, is difficult to fish for the inexperienced, but salmon stand along the whole rapid section and on the rapid necks if one manages to find and sink a small size 6-8 fly at the lies. On the shallower pool section below Taanikurkkio and on the rapid neck above Väkkäräkoski, fishing is usually carried out from a boat with sweeping lures across the shallows, in classic Torneälv fashion, although fearless waders have been seen struggling out during low water. In another time and fishing culture, spear fishing took place in these areas on dark autumn evenings. Sea trout have fortunately increased during the last 10 years and are caught increasingly often during salmon fishing, but few specifically target trout in the river. To protect the spawning stock, a so-called slot limit is applied to trout in the river, with mandatory release of fish smaller than 30 cm (to protect growing trout juveniles) and larger than 45 cm (spawning fish). The sea-trout stock in Lainio älv is increasing but still needs to be treated carefully. True sport fishers presumably think carefully before killing and retaining trout from the river. In the long pool between the rapids there is a fine whitefish stock which during the summer often comes in towards the shores and rapid necks in the evenings and can then be caught both on a fly and with small spinners. Cast a couple of metres above the rise and do not wait too long. Whitefish stay in shallow water and often move forwards. Individual large pike were previously caught in the pool as by-catches during net fishing for salmon, but it has been a long time since any really large pike was caught in the river. Have they disappeared, or is it rather a lack of true pike fishers? The fish conservation area also includes around 30 lakes, some with stocked char and trout, most of the others with stocks of fine perch and pike. Several lakes also have smaller stocks of rarely fished and often large burbot. Welcome to the wilderness! Lainio älv: Oksajärvi FVOF manages the fishing rights in 7 km of the classic salmon river Lainio älv, between the Pajala/Kiruna municipal boundary and the island of Väkkäräsaari, as well as in around 30 lakes, several with stocked char or trout. There are one or more put-and-take waters with stocked game fish in the area. Free fishing for children and young people up to and including the age of 16. Only accompanied by a guardian/adult/person holding a valid fishing permit (on that person's quota)