The information about the occurrence of each species is meant to serve as a guideline. Of course, there are always regional exceptions and unique local conditions – nature cannot be forced into a fixed pattern.
Important to know: There are many more fish species in Finland that you can catch – however, the species presented here are among the most popular and frequently caught by recreational anglers.

Tip: On our homepage, you can filter specifically for certain fish species – this way, you can quickly find suitable accommodations and fishing spots for your personal dream destination.

And don’t forget: An overview of the applicable closed seasons and minimum sizes in Finland can be found here:

www.fishermans-lodge.com/en/guide/fishing-guidelines

Coarse Fish

Roach (Rudd)

• Maximum weight: approx. 1.5 kg
• Maximum size: up to 45 cm
• Preferred waters: calm lakes, slow-flowing rivers
• Occurrence in Finland: nationwide, very common
• Fishing technique: float fishing with maggots, dough bait, or worms

Bream

• Maximum weight: approx. 6 kg
• Maximum size: up to 70 cm
• Preferred waters: nutrient-rich lakes, river mouths
• Occurrence in Finland: mainly in the south and southeast
• Fishing technique: bottom fishing with feeder basket, corn, worm

Tench

• Maximum weight: approx. 3–4 kg
• Maximum size: up to 60 cm
• Preferred waters: warm, plant-rich ponds and lakes
• Occurrence in Finland: rare, mainly in the south
• Fishing technique: bottom or float fishing with worm, corn, or dough bait

Rudd

• Maximum weight: approx. 2 kg
• Maximum size: up to 45 cm
• Preferred waters: shallow, weed-rich lakes
• Occurrence in Finland: widespread in southern and central Finland
• Fishing technique: float fishing with dough bait, insects, or corn

Ide

• Maximum weight: approx. 4 kg
• Maximum size: up to 60 cm
• Preferred waters: lakes, river mouths
• Occurrence in Finland: mainly in the south; large lakes in the east and the Finnish Lakeland region
• Fishing technique: float fishing, bottom fishing, spinning

Predatory Fish

Pike

• Maximum weight: over 20 kg
• Maximum size: up to 130 cm
• Preferred waters: lakes, rivers, brackish waters of the Baltic Sea
• Occurrence in Finland: nationwide
• Fishing technique: spinning, trolling, fly fishing, natural bait

Zander (Pikeperch)

• Maximum weight: approx. 10–12 kg
• Maximum size: up to 100 cm
• Preferred waters: murky lakes, rivers, brackish water
• Occurrence in Finland: mainly in the south and southwest
• Fishing technique: jigging, trolling, bottom fishing with natural bait

Perch

• Maximum weight: approx. 2.5 kg
• Maximum size: up to 50 cm
• Preferred waters: lakes, rivers, coastal waters
• Occurrence in Finland: nationwide
• Fishing technique: spinning, ice fishing, natural bait

Burbot

• Maximum weight: approx. 6 kg
• Maximum size: up to 80 cm
• Preferred waters: cold, deep lakes and rivers
• Occurrence in Finland: in many lakes and rivers, especially active in winter
• Fishing technique: bottom fishing at night, ice fishing

Salmonids

Salmon (Atlantic Salmon)

• Maximum weight: over 20 kg
• Maximum size: over 120 cm
• Preferred waters: rivers with access to the sea (e.g., Teno, Kymijoki), Baltic Sea
• Occurrence in Finland: coastal rivers in the west and north, large lakes in the east and Finnish Lakeland
• Fishing technique: fly fishing, trolling, spinning

Sea Trout

• Maximum weight: approx. 10 kg
• Maximum size: up to 90 cm
• Preferred waters: coastal areas, river mouths
• Occurrence in Finland: along the Baltic Sea coast
• Fishing technique: spinning, fly fishing

Brown Trout

• Maximum weight: approx. 5 kg
• Maximum size: up to 70 cm
• Preferred waters: clear, cool streams and small rivers
• Occurrence in Finland: southern to central Finland
• Fishing technique: fly fishing, spinning

Lake Trout

• Maximum weight: over 10 kg
• Maximum size: up to 90 cm
• Preferred waters: large, deep lakes (e.g., Saimaa, Päijänne)
• Occurrence in Finland: southern and central lake regions
• Fishing technique: trolling, spinning

Arctic Whitefish (Vendace)

• Maximum weight: approx. 1.5 kg
• Maximum size: up to 50 cm
• Preferred waters: clear, deep lakes
• Occurrence in Finland: mainly in Lapland and eastern Finland
• Fishing technique: ice fishing, fine float fishing

Grayling

• Maximum weight: approx. 2 kg
• Maximum size: up to 50 cm
• Preferred waters: clear, oxygen-rich rivers
• Occurrence in Finland: northern and eastern Finland
• Fishing technique: fly fishing (dry flies and nymphs)

Arctic Char

• Maximum weight: approx. 5 kg
• Maximum size: up to 70 cm
• Preferred waters: cold, clear lakes in Lapland
• Occurrence in Finland: mainly in the north (Lapland)
• Fishing technique: spinning, trolling, fly fishing, ice fishing

Saltwater Fish

Cod

• Maximum weight: approx. 10–15 kg
• Maximum size: up to 100 cm
• Preferred waters: deep coastal waters of the Baltic Sea
• Occurrence in Finland: southern Baltic Sea near Åland
• Fishing technique: jigging (pilking), natural bait

Herring

• Maximum weight: approx. 0.5 kg
• Maximum size: up to 35 cm
• Preferred waters: coastal areas
• Occurrence in Finland: Baltic Sea, especially in spring
• Fishing technique: herring paternoster rig, small baits

Garfish

• Maximum weight: approx. 1.5 kg
• Maximum size: up to 90 cm
• Preferred waters: shallow waters of the Baltic Sea
• Occurrence in Finland: coastal regions in May–June
• Fishing technique: spinning with slender spoons, natural bait

Flounder

• Maximum weight: approx. 1 kg
• Maximum size: up to 45 cm
• Preferred waters: sandy coastal areas
• Occurrence in Finland: south and southwest coast
• Fishing technique: bottom fishing with worm

Smelt

• Maximum weight: approx. 0.1–0.2 kg
• Maximum size: up to 25 cm
• Preferred waters: estuaries of large rivers
• Occurrence in Finland: seasonal, Baltic Sea coast
• Fishing technique: fine float or bottom fishing