Koveskoski fishing road

The Koveskoski fishway has been completed in the lower part of the Kovesjoki River in the village of Kovelahti in Ikaalinen. The project is very important for the protection and strengthening of the trout population in Lake Kyrösjärvi. The fishway allows trout to bypass the dam in the lower part of the river and ascend to their breeding grounds in the Kovesjoki, Raivaluoma and Kuusijoki rivers. Trout that have ascended or were born in the rivers are also able to migrate back to their feeding area in Lake Kyrösjärvi. The Kovesjoki River flows into Lake Kyrösjärvi's Kovelahti, which is connected to the open waters of Lake Kyrösjärvi.

The planning of the fishway began in 2015 and the project received permission from the Regional State Administrative Agency in 2021. Work began in the spring of this year after the project's funding was secured. The construction of the fishway lasted throughout the summer and was completed in September. The contractor was Juhani Annala from Kihniö. Monitoring of the fishway's functionality will continue for another three years to see whether it functions as desired.

The project is implemented by the City of Ikaalinen and the Kyrösjärvi Fisheries Area. The project received funding from the City of Ikaalinen, the Kyrösjärvi Fisheries Area, the Ikaalinen Säästöpankki Foundation and the Fisheries Unit of the North Savo ELY-keskus through the Nousu migratory fish program.

The Kovesjoki watershed is known as a trout watershed with a local trout population. It differs genetically from other trout populations in the Pirkanmaa and Kokemäenjoki watersheds and also from the trout populations used for planting. We can therefore speak of a valuable trout population that has adapted to local conditions. It is worth remembering that trout is protected in Southern Finland. Wild-born and protected trout can be identified by their fatty fins, and if such a trout is caught, the fish must be immediately released back into the water.

Kyrösjärvi is known as a good and versatile fishing ground. The lake has a strong pike perch stock. Other fish caught in the lake include pike, perch, bream, whitefish and vendace. Trout are also stocked in the lake for fishing, which fishermen can identify by the fact that the fat fins of the stocked trout have been removed. Fishing for these trout is also prohibited from the beginning of September until the end of November. There are a few professional fishermen on the lake, who, in addition to the lake's pike perch stock, also fish for roach.

It is worth coming to Kyrösjärvi to fish. You can easily buy lure fishing and trap fishing permits for Kyrösjärvi through the online store or local permit sellers. The lake is easy to access because there are boat ramps on the shores suitable for launching boats. Accommodation services are available for fishermen on the shores of Kyrösjärvi.