The Luulajanjoki has been known of old as Lentua’s “small trout stream”. Draining into Lake Lentua, the river rises more than 30 kilometres distant, in the many ponds and small lakes dotted around the village of Niemiskylä. The headwaters of the river system split into the Kuusijoki and Niemisjoki streams, at this point more in the nature of brooks. Stretches suitable for white-water fishing are located downstream from Lake Niemisjärvi. The four-kilometre stretch between Lake Niemisjärvi and Lake Luulajanjärvi has four rapids with a total drop of around ten metres. Hot spots for white-water fishing are located in the upper reaches of this section, along the steep Myllykoski and Ämmänkoski rapids. Myllykoski lies close to a road, but Ämmänkoski will involve a bit more of a hike. A lean-to lies by the tail of the Ämmänkoski rapid. The reaches below Lake Luulanjanjärvi also contain steep rapids where the water drops almost fifteen metres. The prime fishing spot in this area is the long Pitkäkoski rapid. Covered by a single fishing licence, Pitkäkoski provides over two kilometres of white-water fishing. A camping ground, restored by the villagers, lies at the head of Pitkäkoski, beside an old dam upstream from the bridge (Hirveläntie 1173). The dam was built for timber floating. This camping ground has a lean-to, a covered eating area and an outhouse. The area covered by the fishing licence extends to the bottom of the rapid. Anglers discover a sense of authentic Kuhmo wilderness along the peaceful rapids of the Luulajanjoki, and will normally find they have the rapids to themselves.
FISH STOCK AND STOCK MANAGEMENT
Fishery management on the Luulajanjoki focuses on retaining this forest stream in its natural state. This small river has high potential for holding migratory fish running up from Lake Lentua. A local grayling population also reproduces and grows in the river’s rapids. Restoration measures on the rapids aim at enhancing the natural reproduction of fish dwelling in the rapids. Anglers are obliged to observe the statutory minimum sizes, to give the fish the chance to grow to a sexually mature size.
INFORMATION ON FISHING IN THE LOWER REACHES OF THE LUULAJANJOKI
Pitkäkoski
- Length: 1400m
- Elevation differential: 9.7m
- Average flow: 2.9 m³/s
