Fishing enthusiasts gather at Merikoski canal in Oulu as salmon numbers decline

On a rainy morning at the Merikoski canal in Oulu, only a handful of fishing enthusiasts can be found. Among them is Jukka Välikangas, who traveled from Turku and arrived well before three in the morning. “Merikoski is a fantastic place to fish. This is my sixth consecutive summer here,” he shares. After an eight-hour session of spin-fly fishing without any bites, he reflects on a recent catch: “Yesterday, I landed a 6.5-kilogram sea salmon. It was 85 centimeters long and a great fish for dinner. Once you get a taste of salmon, you can’t let go.”

Spin-fly fishing is a method where weight is attached to the line, allowing the lure to be moved close to the bottom to attract fish. For fellow angler Ville Lämsä, who has only been at the site for an hour, luck has not been on his side either. He notes that reports indicate this year’s salmon season has been significantly quieter than in previous years. “But you catch more fish here than from your couch at home,” he laughs.

According to Tarja Väyrynen, Oulu Energy’s quality and environmental director, salmon returns to the Oulujoki river have decreased this year compared to last. In July 2022, 65 salmon were counted in the river, while only 28 were recorded this July. Conversely, sea trout numbers are rising, with counts increasing from 61 to 194 in the same period.

Research professor Jaakko Erkinaro notes that salmon returns are down across the entire Gulf of Bothnia, with similar poor figures from the Tornio River. Changes in marine conditions affecting migratory salmon feeding areas may also contribute to this decline. However, some regions, particularly with a decrease in coastal fishing, show growth in sea trout populations.

Despite the declining salmon numbers, the fishing community remains upbeat. For Välikangas and Lämsä, the experience is less about the catch and more about relaxation and camaraderie, with a greater emphasis on sharing fishing stories than actual fish.