There were 1.6 million recreational fishers in Finland in 2024, according to the statistics of Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) published on Thursday.
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.
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.
- Recreational fishers
- Drops
- Finland
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
