Fly-fishing enthusiast returns empty-handed amid concerns over salmon decline in Kotka

A recent incident at Siikakoski in Kotka involved a fly-fishing enthusiast who had to return empty-handed after an unsuccessful outing. Siikakoski is recognized as one of the prime fishing spots for sea salmon on the Kymijoki River, the most significant salmon river in Southern Finland. However, local anglers have expressed concern over declining salmon populations in recent years. Jarmo Arvila, who has fished the Kymijoki for 40 years, noted that the past two years have been the worst ever for salmon catches.

This summer, Arvila mentioned that one salmon had been caught multiple times, identifiable by its unique spots, with one fish being caught three times over the previous season. There are large schools of salmon at the mouth of the river’s largest western branch, near the Ahvenkoski power plant, which are unable to ascend to spawning grounds due to the absence of fish ladders.

The Fisheries Biologist Joona Ikävalko highlighted that if functional fish ladders were installed, the number of ascending salmon could potentially double or even increase further. Currently, thousands of salmon ascend the eastern branches of the Kymijoki, while new data suggests that there are significantly more spawning areas in the western branch than previously believed.

Authorities, including the ELY Centre, are advocating for natural reproduction of salmon stocks in the Kymijoki and have submitted a request for changes to fishery conditions at the Ahvenkoski and Klåsarö power plants. They aim to establish fish ladders to enhance salmon migration. In a related effort, power companies like Helen are exploring innovative fish passage solutions and are expected to reveal the results of their trials soon.