The catches

The original fish population of the Vuoksi has included both migratory and local fish species. The most important recreational fishing catches are trout, grayling, whitefish, vendace, salmon, perch, zander, pike, and rainbow trout.

Fly fishers’ main catch are trout and grayling that both have strong populations in the Vuoksi. Grayfish grows fast here to its general size limits, and the biggest fishes weigh over one kilogram.

A common catch is also whitefish, which apparently appears in several different species in the river (plankton-, migratory-, bottom-, and peled whitefish). There may be some whitefishes that weigh over a kilogram.

Most of the stocked fishes are lake trout, and the stocking is done between the Tainionkoski power plant and Imatrankoski power plant. Some of the stocked fishes are rainbow trout that are planted fully grown into Mellonlahti bay. Trout is also common in the river area between Imatra power plant and Svetogorsk, Russia. These trout are from the stocking above Imatrankoski power plant, but the trout breeds also naturally.

Lured by the large vendace flocks, Saimaa salmon also appears in the Vuoksi. Most of the Saimaa salmon comes from Kyläniemi where the fishes have been stocked, but some of them are from the far away river Pielisjoki.

Several fishing piers have been built to the shores of the Vuoksi, in order to make fishing from the shore easier. Piers in Ritikanranta, Varpasaari, and Neitsytniemi are accessible for wheelchairs.

Mellonlahti

Mellonlahti bay has its own biocoenosis as it is isolated from the Vuoksi with an embankment. The Vuoksi does not flow through the bay anymore, instead, all the water in the bay gathers from minor streams and springs of the shore. The amount of water is small, and it causes problems. Especially in warm summers, there appears plenty of green and blue algae, that can make the waters rather cloudy from time to time. Mellonlahti is interesting and different in many ways from the rest of the Vuoksi area. The shores are mainly unbuilt and covered by flourishing trees and bushes. In the shore of the bay grows some of the most handsome spruces and birches of Imatra.

As a fishing area, the bay is versatile and differs from the Vuoksi distinctively. Rainbow trout is the only salmon fish in the bay and rainbow trout are constantly stocked. Rainbow trout is especially important attraction for ice fishers.

Zander, pike, perch and bream appear naturally in the bay. Bream population is especially big. During the spawning season, there is a rather special spectacle to be seen as a large flock of bream spawn right in the shore water with huge paddling.

There is a fishing pier and a lean-to with a campfire site maintained by the city.

The minimum measurements for fishes

Grayling: 35 cm (protected 1.4.-31.5.)
Lake trout: 50 cm, after adipose fin has been cut
Landlocked salmon: 60 cm
Zander: 42 cm (recommendation by the fishing area: 45cm)

Trout

Trout thrives in clean waters. In the Vuoksi, stocking of trout has by itself contributed positively to the amounts of trout. Annually, thousands of trout is caught from the Vuoksi. The best spots for catching trout from the Vuoksi are from the Tainionkoski power plant to highway 6 bridge crossing the Vuoksi. The shallows of Mellonlahti are also a good place for fishing trout.

Grayling

Grayling is one of the main catches of fly fishers, that has long traditions in the Vuoksi. They have relatively good conditions for growing, as grayling weighing over a kilogram are no rarity. The best places for catching grayling are the shallows between Sienimäki and Teollisuustyöväen asuntomuseo (industrial workers' housing museum), surroundings of bridges, and the shallows of Mellonlahti.

Whitefish

Whitefish is a common catch in the Vuoksi. It is most likely that there are several different whitefish populations in the Vuoksi. The best places for catching whitefish are the downstream of Tainionkoski power plant, by the city hall, and the shore next to McDonald’s. Whitefish is also a common fish for torch fishing.

Vendace

Vendace is a speciality of the Vuoksi, that is lip fished from the downstream of Tainionkoski power plant. The best lip fishing season is from May to September, and the daily catched can be over hundreds of kilograms. Vendace moves upstream in huge flocks. The flock drift to so-called Mutteri bank where they can be caught with a suitable dip net.

Salmon

Salmon is significantly more uncommon catch in the Vuoksi. Annually, some Saimaa salmons, that have drifted to the Vuoksi through Tainionkoski power plant, are caught.

Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout are stocked to Mellonlahti during the winter and to the Vuoksi during summer. Rainbow trout has gained popularity among rainbow trout ice fishers in Mellonlahti. In the Vuoksi, rainbow trout grow fast with vendace to pray and consequently have established a steady place as a catch.

Other fishes

Other common catches in the Vuoksi are pike, bream and perch. Perch and pike thrive in the Vuoksi and grow large. Perch weighing over a kilogram is no rarity, and ten-kilogram pike are caught annually. The best places for catching perch are Neitsytniemi bay, Linnakoski bay, and Varpasaari bay. Pike is best caught in the shallows of the Vuoksi and in stream pools. Pike is also a popular torch fishing catch.

Crayfishing

The strong crayfish population further increases the value of Mellonlahti bay. Signal crayfish is stocked in the bay. Catching crayfishes is allowed during crayfishing season 21.7.-31.10. Fishing crayfish requires a crayfishing permit.