Pike Fishing in Finland: Crispy Pike in Beer Batter with Homemade Mayonnaise
Finland is one of the best countries for pike fishing – with its clear, pristine lakes and vast waters, it offers ideal conditions for anglers who want to experience this powerful predator fish. If you want to enjoy your catch especially deliciously, you should cut the pike fillets into small pieces and dip them in a crispy beer batter. A Finnish beer like “Lapin Kulta” pairs particularly well with this. In this post, I’ll show you how to easily prepare this classic dish at home.
By Lars Hahne
July 2, 2025
Why Pike Fishing in Finland Is So Popular
The Finnish lake district, with its thousands of bodies of water, is a paradise for anglers. Pike fishing in Finland is especially attractive because the pike here are often large and strong fighters. The untouched nature, the tranquility, and the rich biodiversity make every fishing trip a unique experience. For many anglers, it’s a dream to go pike hunting in Finland and then prepare the catch fresh afterwards.
Recipe: Pike in Beer Batter with Homemade Mayonnaise
Ingredients (for 2–3 people)
For the beer batter and pike:
- 500 g pike fillet, cut into small pieces
- Salt and pepper
- 150 g flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 200 ml cold Finnish beer (e.g., “Lappinkulttuuri”)
- Oil for frying (e.g., sunflower or rapeseed oil)
For the mayonnaise:
- 1 fresh egg yolk (room temperature)
- 1 tsp mild mustard
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 150 ml neutral oil (e.g., sunflower oil)
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: a pinch of sugar or honey
Preparation
- Season the pike fillet pieces with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Gradually stir in the cold beer until a smooth, thick batter forms.
- Heat oil in a pot or deep fryer to 170–180 °C (340–355 °F).
- Lightly coat the pike pieces in flour so the beer batter sticks better.
- Dip the pieces into the beer batter and fry in batches in the hot oil until golden brown (about 3–4 minutes). Then let them drain on kitchen paper.
Making the Mayonnaise
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, mustard, and vinegar.
- Slowly add the oil drop by drop while continuously whisking until a creamy mayonnaise forms.
- Season with salt, pepper, and optionally a little sugar or honey.
- Keep chilled until serving.
Serving Suggestion
Serve the crispy pike with the creamy mayonnaise. Crispy potato wedges or a fresh green salad go perfectly with it. A squeeze of lemon rounds off the dish and highlights the flavors beautifully.