Photo: Lohijoki Oy

Fishing Methods

In this section, we provide some details about the most common fishing methods and tackle. People say that time spent on fishing waters will not be deducted from your lifetime.

Spinning / Spin Fishing

“Finland’s thousands of lakes have been made for spinning enthusiasts.“

Spinning is one of the most popular fishing methods in Finland. In general it means fishing with a rod and reel combined with a fishing line and a tackle at the end of the line.

There are untold wealths of shallow waters, where fish are easy to catch. The odds of making a catch with spin fishing are excellent. The angler’s skills and local knowledge obviously play a major role in this respect. That’s why it might be a good idea to hire a professional fishing guide who can lead you to your personal record trophy fishes!

The most important game species for spinning in Finland are pike, perch, zander, grayling and trout.

Photo: Shutterstock

Photo: Hotelli Kainuu

Fly Fishing

“Fly Fishing is a challenging and versatile way of fishing where you are as close to the water nature as possible “

Fly Fishing was introduced to Finland in the 1800s when English Lords made fishing trips to Finland in the salmon and trout rich waters of Northern Finland.

In fly fishing fisherman uses a rod, a reel and a line with a fly at the end of the line. The most common fly models include imitations of the different stages of life of caddis flies and mayflies tied in natural colours. In addition, the range covers various streamers or imitation fish and leeches that imitate real leeches.

Salmon, trout, grayling, rainbow trout and whitefish are some of the main game species caught by this fishing method.

Ice Fishing

“Through ice fishing one can ideally experience such peace of nature and peace of mind that is difficult to find anywhere else in the world.”

Ice fishing is the Finnish way of meditation. This traditional and very easy winter fishing method consisting of a simple short rod, a small reel and a line with a hook and bait.

At some point in their life, almost every Finn has sat by an ice hole, ice-fishing for perch, the national fish of Finland.

The most common catch is perch, roach, pike and whitefish. Skilled fishermen catch also arctic char, grayling, trouts and zander.

Photo: Arctic Tours

Photo: Pielisen Retki

Trolling

“Trolling is a popular form of fishing ideally suited for Finland’s extensive open water areas. Warm and bright Northern summer nights and trolling fishing in a good company, what could be better?”

Trolling – i.e. rowing a boat drawing lures through the water behind – is an ancient fishing technique. Salmon trolling on a rowing boat is a Finnish tradition that is still alive and well. On Rivers Teno and Tornionjoki, the largest salmon are caught by trolling plugs, flies and spoons. On lakes and on the coast, people mostly use motor boats for trolling.

In spring and late autumn, trolling enthusiasts pursue salmon and trout; in summer and early autumn, plugs are set to trap zander, pike and perch.

Jigging

“Jigging has become a super popular fishing method for perch and zander. There is a simple reason for this: jigging is fun, active and eventful.”

There are plenty of waters suitable for jigging in Finland and many fish species here are eager to snatch a jig.

Jigs are generally used with regular casting tackle. Idea is simple: cast the lure into the water and let it sink to the bottom. Then jerk the rod and wind the handle a couple of turns and wait for the jig to sink back to the bottom. Repeat this until a fish strikes or until you have reeled the line in.

Target fish species for jigging are perch, zander, pike

Photo: Tapio Gustafsson

Photo: Lappean Lohi

Harling

“Traditional harling in a narrow rowing boat made of wood is an unforgettable fishing experience in Finland.”

Harling is a traditional style of trolling. It is used mainly in the largest salmonrivers of Finland such as the rivers Teno, Tornio and Kymi.

Harling is done with a narrow wooden river boat and 1 to 4 trolling rods to troll wobblers in the river. Wobblers are the main lures used in harling, but flies or light spoons may also be used to attract salmons and trouts.

With this fishing method there is a great chance to catch some of the biggest salmons of your life!

Angling with a hook and line

“Angling with a hook and line is an easy and beginner friendly fishing method suitable for everyone.”

Angling with a hook and line is the most popular form of fishing in Finland. That’s no wonder, as it is an easy way to fish and fishing grounds are everywhere. People go angling to their nearby waters by their cottage.

Angling is great way to introduce fishing for a person who has never fished before. Gazing at a float bobbing on the surface on a beautiful summer day provides real therapy. In the land of thousands of lakes, hook-and-line anglers can always find a spot where no-one has fished before.

The usual catch for hook-and-line anglers in the Finnish waters are roach, bream, silver bream, perch, bleak, dace, rudd and ide.

Photo: Tapio Gustafsson

Photo: Fishing Guide Erik Herlevi

Herring fishing with a rig

“People living in Finland gather to fish Baltic herring on sea bridges in the spring and autumn time. On a good day when herrings are biting you’ll have your bucket full of fish in no time.”

Herring anglers use rigs equipped with 5 to 10 hooks specifically designed for Baltic herring. The rig consists of small and bright, size 2–6 hooks, which are attached to a couple of centimetres long side leaders. Herring fishing with a rig is free of charge.

Baltic herring is excellent and health beneficial local food fish and can be prepared into a delicious meal by frying, smoking, boiling and baking in the oven.