The status of the Tornionjoki sea trout stock

The sea trout populations declined during the middle of the twentieth century due to draining of the tributary catchments, excavation of tributaries for timber floating, and the more effective sea fishery through the advent of synthetic netting material. Trout populations were probably the weakest in the 1980s. Since then some restrictions in the fisheries and restoration of spawning habitats have somewhat improved the situation.

However, signs of recovery have been weak and fluttering. 2,000-3,000 kilos (about 1500 inds) of sea trout is annually caught in the river. Like in the case of salmon, the bulk of the Tornionjoki trout are caught by sea fishery. Trout, however, stay closer to their home river on the feeding migration and they are therefore caught mainly by coastal fishermen off the outlet of Tornionjoki and in the surrounding sea.

The Finnish sea trout catches in the Tornionjoki and mean weight of the caught trout.

Densities of one-summer old trout parr in the rivers Pakajoki and Äkäsjoki, which are important spawning tributaries of Tornionjoki sea trout.

A brown trout from a tributary of the River Tornionjoki. Photo: Ville Vähä.

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