Vuoksi's catch

Vuoksi's original fish species included both migratory and local fish species. The most important fish species suitable for recreational fishing in Vuoksi are grayling, whitefish, vendace, salmon, perch, zander, pike perch and rainbow trout.

The main catch fish for fly fishermen are trout and grayling, which have a strong position in Vuoksi. Grayling here quickly grows to catchable size, the biggest fish weigh more than a kilo.

A common prey fish is also the whitefish, of which there are apparently several different breeds in the river (plankton, migratory, bottom and peled whitefish). Among the prey fish, there might even be one of them weighing more than a kilo.

Most of the plantings are lake trout and the plantings are carried out between the Tainionkoski and Imatrankoski power plants. Part of the plantings are rainbow trout, which are planted in catch size in Mellonlahti. Trout are also abundant in the river area between the Imatra power plant and Svetogorsk. The trout come from the plantings carried out in the area above the Imatrankoski power plant, and the trout also reproduce naturally.  

Saimaa salmon are also attracted to the stream by abundant flocks of vendaces. Most of these come from plantings made in the waters of Kyläniemi, but some come from far away from Pielisjoki, where marked seedlings have been received from Vuoksi less than two weeks after the plantings.

To make shore fishing easier, fishing piers have been built in several places on the shores of Vuoksi, of which Ritikanranta, Varpasaari and Neitsytniemi are also suitable for people with reduced mobility, for example those in wheelchairs.

Mellonlahti

Mellonlahti, isolated by an embankment from Vuoksi, today forms its own biological community. The stream no longer flows through the bay, but all the water entering the bay comes from small streams and springs on the shores. This amount of water is quite small and it causes problems. Especially in warm summers, there is a lot of green and blue-green algae in Lahti, which make the water quite cloudy at times. Mellonlahti is an interesting water area that differs from the rest of the Vuoksi area in many ways. The beaches are mostly undeveloped and protected by lush trees. Some of the most beautiful spruces and birches in the Imatra area grow in the ground of Lahti. The vegetation of the coastal zone is also interesting in some places.

As a fishing area, the bay is versatile and clearly differs from Vuoksi. Of the salmon fish in Lahti, only rainbow salmon are found, which are continuously planted in the bay. Rainbow trout are an important attraction for anglers, especially in winter.

Naturally, pikeperch, pike, perch and bream are found in Lahti. The bream stock is especially strong. During the spawning season, you may see a very special spectacle in the bay, when a flock of hundreds of large bream spawn right in the shore water, accompanied by a huge splash.

Mellonlahti has a city-maintained fishing pier and a shed with campfire places.

Bottom dimensions of prey fish

Harjus 35 cm (calmed 1.4.–31.5.)
Lake trout 50 cm, when the adipose fin is cut, the adipose fin is completely sedated
Lake salmon 60 cm, when the adipose fin is cut, the adipose fin is completely sedated
Walleye 42 cm (fishing area recommendation 45 cm)

Trout

Trout thrive in clean waters. This year, the trout plantings have had a positive effect on the trout catch. Every year, thousands of specimens are raised from Vuoksi. The best spots for trout are from the Tainionkoski power plant to the VT 6 bridge over Vuoksi. Mellonlahti shallows are also a good place for trout fishing.

Grayling

Harjus is one of the main prey fish of fly fishermen, the fishing of which has a long tradition in Vuoksi. They have relatively good growing conditions, as grayling weighing more than a kilo are not rare catches. The best grayling fishing spots are the shallows between Sienimäki and the Industrial Workers Housing Museum, the areas around the bridges and the Mellonlahti shallows.

Whitefish

Whitefish is a common catch fish in Vuoksi. There are probably several different whitefish populations in the river. The best whitefish spots are below the Tainionkoski power plant, near the town hall and McDonald's. Whitefish is also a common drift fish.

Vendace

Vendace is a specialty of Vuoksi, which is caught in abundance by fishing below the Tainionkoski power plant. The best fishing time is from May to September, and daily catches can be up to several hundred kilos. The vendaces travel upstream in large flocks. The flocks drift in the so-called Mutterinranta, close to the shore, from where they can be caught with a suitable lure.

Lake salmon

Lake salmon is a much rarer fish catch in Vuoki. Every year, some lake salmon are caught, which have mainly migrated to Vuoki through the Tainionkoski power plant.

Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout are planted in Mellonlahti all year round. Rainbow trout has gained popularity especially among rainbow trout anglers in Mellonlahti. 

Other fish species

Other common game fish that thrive in Vuoksi are pike, bream and perch. Perches and pike thrive in Vuoksi and grow large. Perches weighing more than a kilo are not rare, and pike also break the limit of ten kilos every year. The best perch spots are Neitsytniemi, Linnankoski and Varpasaari bays. Pike are best caught in Vuoksi's shallows and backwaters. Pike is also a popular drift fish

Crabbing

The value of the river is increased by the strong crab population. Catching crabs is allowed during the crabbing season from 21.7 to 31.10. A fishing permit is required for fishing.