Pielavesi and Nilakka are big lakes in the northwest part of North Savo. These lakes are on the same water level and they form together almost 50 km long water area, where there are multiple choice of spots for a sport angler.
Lake Nilakka
Part of the Rautalammi route, Lake Nilakka is a large basin located within the municipalities of Pielavesi, Keitele and Tervo in North Savo. Fragmented in the north and sparse in islands in the south, this northwest-southeast aligned lake is over 40 kilometres in length, with a maximum breadth of about ten kilometres.
Lake Nilakka is a bit monotonous in terms of bottom contours and its average depth is only about five metres, but the largest deep still measures 21 metres. The quality of the water is mostly good and its colour is dark. Fine sandy beaches lend their own special character to the area.
Lake Nilakka is ranked among the region’s best zander waters, where fish grow fairly quickly thanks to the ample stocks of smelt, among other things. Furthermore, its shallow shores with abundant reedy areas are also favourable for pike reproduction and angling, where catching a big predator is not beyond reach. In contrast, it’s fairly rare to catch a brown trout on the end of the line, regardless of the fact that Lake Nilakka discharges its waters into the Huuhtajankoski and Äyskoski Rapids, which are renowned for their trout.
Lake Pielavesi
The scenic Lake Pielavesi is located immediately north of Lake Nilakka; the two lakes lying at the same level are connected by the short Strait Säviänvirta. Compared with Lake Nilakka, Lake Pielavesi is one third smaller and considerably more labyrinthine due to the larger number of islands. The water is dark and its quality is good, with a maximum depth of 29 metres.
In terms of fish stocks, Lake Pielavesi resembles Lake Nilakka. There are nice stocks of zander, pike and perch, but trolling for brown trout may also bear fruit when the waters are cold.
Every summer Vendace Festival – Muikkuvestivaalit – is arranged in the centre of Pielavesi. During the event number of people will double in the district. Muikkuvestivaalit was first arranged already in 1971. In 2010 event re-started and it gathers many friends of fish dishes and other wanderers near the shore of Lake Pielavesi.
Basic Information about Pielavesi and Nilakka
| Type: | Lake |
| Water Area: | 279 km² |
| Length: | 47 km |
| Shoreline: | 778 km |
| Maximum depth: | 29 m |
Game Fish Species: Bream, Brown trout, Burbot, Ide, Perch, Pike, Roach, Whitefish, Zander
