| Tana Tenojoki / Deatnu / Tana älv | |
|---|---|
 View of the river | |
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| Location | |
| Countries | |
| Regions | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Anarjohka-Karasjohka |
| • location | North ofKarigasniemi,Norway-Finland border |
| • coordinates | 69°26′03″N25°48′13″E / 69.43417°N 25.80361°E /69.43417; 25.80361 |
| • elevation | 125 m (410 ft) |
| Mouth | Tanafjorden |
• location | Tana Municipality,Finnmark,Norway |
• coordinates | 70°29′39″N28°23′24″E / 70.4942504°N 28.3899406°E /70.4942504; 28.3899406 |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 361 km (224 mi) |
| Basin size | 16,377 km2 (6,323 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 197 m3/s (7,000 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Karasjohka |
TheTana (Finnish:Teno[ˈteno] orTenojoki;Northern Sami:Deatnu[ˈtea̯tnuː];Norwegian:Tana/Tanaelva;Swedish:Tana älv) is a 361-kilometre (224 mi) long river in theSápmi area of northernFennoscandia. The river flows throughFinnmark county,Norway and theLapland region ofFinland. For 256 kilometers of its length, the Tana and its tributaries form a part of theborder between Finland and Norway. The Sámi name means "Great River". The main tributaries of the Tana are theAnarjohka andKarasjohka.[1]
TheTana Valley is thecore area for "the River-Sami Culture" in Finnmark; salmon fishing is central in regard to that culture.[2]
According to written sources since the last half of the16th century,[3] fishing has been a major livelihood for the Sami people in theriver valley. Another source says that has the case since[2] the17th century.
Erosion at the mouth of the river, in addition toextreme weather,[4] is making the mouth of the river wider but more shallow (as of the 2020s); there is a risk that salmon [or more salmon] duringlow tide will turn away (from the river) during approach to the river for spawning, according to a committee leader in Tana's municipal council.
The ocean has a (considerable) effect on the river, for about 10 km from the mouth.[4]
In its upper course, it runs for 256 km (159 mi) along theFinnish–Norwegian border, betweenUtsjoki Municipality (in Finland) andKarasjok Municipality andTana Municipality (in Norway). The river is the fifth longest in Norway. The last 105 kilometres (65 mi) of the river run through the municipality of Tana in Norway. The river discharges into theTanafjorden, one of the largest and most unspoiledriver deltas in Europe. The delta is protected and is an important home to wetland birds. There are large deposits of sand in the delta that are exposedsandbars at low tide.[1]
In 2025, in Utsjoki Municipality, 3 days of fishing (for that year), started on the first day of July; "One salmon ... may be caught per fisherman", according to media.[5]
Earlier (and as of the summer of 2024), salmon fishing [was] banned, as ordered by Finnish authorities and Norwegian authorities; however, fishing for species other than salmon [was] facilitated. There [were supposed to be] some opportunities for fishinghumpback salmon. The summer season (for fishing) started in May.[6][7] In July 2024, media said that on Finland's side of the river, applications were[8] made to allow for young people to learn salmon fishing; however, individuals are not allowed to apply — applications must be made by an association or a "fishing area".[9] In July 2024, there was salmon fishing for two days on the Finnish side of the river — and only in two places; only one fish 30–65 cm in length.[10]
Earlier (2022), authorities in Norway and in Finland [did] not permit salmon fishing (in the river).[11][12] In 2023, on Finland's side of the river, some[13] permits would allow fishing ofhumpback salmon - and the methods for that would bedrift netting and[14] seine fishing.
In 2020, 18,600 kilograms (41,000 lb) was the annual total of salmon captured in the river.[12] Previously, in 2002, fishermen on the river captured an annual total of 99,546 kilograms (219,461 lb) salmon, with an average size of 4.5 kilograms (9.9 lb). The annualsea trout catch for that year on the river was 4,426 kilograms (9,758 lb). Both Finland and Norway regulate the fishing on the river.[1]
During the years when the authorities permitted fishing, one can purchase afishing permit forangling. Some residents, can get a permit for fishing withbarrier net; ['salmon-letter owner' or]laksebreveier use net for fishing.[15]
New fishing rules, are being considered (as of March 2023) by the parliament of Finland.[16]
The Tana is well known for its excellentsalmon fishery and is the most productive salmon river in Finland and Norway. The world's record forAtlantic salmon is held by a salmon caught on the Tana; it was 36 kilograms (79 lb) and was taken in 1929 by the Nils Mathis Walle.
As of the August 2025, there is barrier that lets water flow thru, but which most fish are too large to pass thru; the barrier is 420 m long, across the river.[17] The barrier will supposedly be removed later that year.
Earlier (2023), Norwegian authorities constructed a barrier with a trap that has sorted out hundreds[18] of humpback salmon (on some days), while allowing other fish to pass.[19][20][21] The installation is in the vicinity of Seidaholmen - and downstream of it. In August that year, media said that disassembly of the barrier had started.[22][23]
TheTana Bridge (or Nybrua) was constructed in 2020, replacing the function of a neighboring bridge from 1948; its main span is 234 metres (768 ft).
TheSami Bridge atUtsjoki was constructed in 1993. TheEuropean route E6 highway follows the western shoreline of the river for most of the length of the river.
In winter, there are usually twoice roads that are in use from December to April. These roads are located nearRustefjelbma and nearPolmak and have a weight limit of 2tonnes (2.0long tons; 2.2short tons), but few other limitations.
Media related toTana River (Fennoscandia) at Wikimedia Commons
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