Other fishing methods

Fishing for household consumption used to play a significant role in people's nutrition. The tradition of making use of renewable fish resources is still alive and well as an aspect of modern-day recreational fishing.

Fishing nets are efficient trapping tackle, which allow diverse fishing through all seasons of the year. Nets are used to catch species that are seldom pursued with other tackle because this is difficult. Typical net catches include some of the most common species in Finland's waters, such as vendace, Baltic herring, whitefish, bream and burbot.

A good spot for casting your nets is an underwater bank where water deepens just nicely. Vendace nets are set to trap fish in mid-lake deeps at mid-depth or to the bottom.

Once in a while, there are quite heated debates about the effects of net fishing on fish stocks and many rod anglers would like to see net fishing restricted. There is room for diverse forms of fishing on Finland's extensive waters, while there are plenty of waters and species that are under-fished. However, you should always remember to adhere to the principle of moderation in all types of fishing.

Photo: Veli-Pekka Räty 

Whitefish are scooped on the Kukkolankoski Rapids in River Tornionjoki.

Effortless fish traps

A wire mesh fish trap is the basic fishing tackle for anyone holidaying at a summer cottage. Cast out at the end of a jetty or to the flank of an islet, a fish trap is an excellent way to ensnare perch and roach. In spring, people lay fish traps in shallow waters to catch pike. In winter, traps are set below the ice in shallow waters to ensnare burbot.

Burbot are also caught using fyke nets, which are either placed vertically to hang down or horizontally on the bottom. Fyke nets are used in spring to catch pike, bream and other cyprinids, as well as zander in certain places.

Torch fishing is fascinating

Torch fishing is an interesting form of fishing on darkening autumn nights. In this technique, the angler stands at the bow of the boat, shining the bottom with an efficient light source. Once the angler spots a fish, he catches it with a fishgig. The main game species for torch fishing are pike and bream.

Photo: Risto Jussila 

In winter, pike hooks are set at the edges of deeps a couple of metres below the ice. Lake Toisvesi, Virrat.

Pike hooks under the ice

In winter, people set baited hooks under the ice to entice pike and burbot. Pike hooks are set at the edges of shallows a couple of metres below the ice and they can catch quite big pike. Burbot hooks are laid in spawning shallows in January.

In summer, a traditional hook rig is a longline, which may consist of up to a hundred hooks hanging from a single main line on leaders. The hooks are baited with worms or baitfish and game species include pike, perch, zander, eel and bream. In Saimaa mid-lake areas, longlines are used to catch landlocked salmon and trout.

Fishing with various types of hook tackle is fascinating, exciting and often productive as well.

Owners of water areas sell licences for fishing with trapping tackle. At certain rental cottages, the right to fish with trapping tackle is included in the rental charges.

Photo: Risto Jussila 

Longline fishing is an exciting form of fishing.