Finnish Fish Species – What’s Waiting for You in Finland’s Waters

This guide includes common angling fish and species found only in certain waters, as well as different forms of trout. Distribution varies with local conditions. An entry here does not mean that a species may currently be targeted or kept: check the fishing rules, protected stocks and local permits before your trip.

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 (Rutilus rutilus)

Roach and rudd are different species. Roach is Rutilus rutilus; rudd is Scardinius erythrophthalmus. Roach in the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility

• 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 (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)

The rudd is a separate species from the roach listed above. Rudd in the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility

• 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-dwelling brown trout

This profile describes the lake-dwelling form of brown trout (Salmo trutta), called Seeforelle in German. Sea trout and river-resident brown trout are forms of the same species. Luke: research on lake-run brown trout (Salmo trutta)

• 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

European whitefish (siika)

This profile describes European whitefish (siika, Coregonus lavaretus). Its forms vary in size and habitat. European whitefish in the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility

• Typical weight: 0.1–1.5 kg; size varies substantially between whitefish forms
• Typical length: 15–55 cm; these are typical sizes, not maximum records or legal catch sizes
• Preferred waters: lakes and brackish coastal waters
• Occurrence in Finland: inland and coastal waters; the local whitefish form and stock matter
• Fishing technique: ice fishing, fine float fishing

Vendace (muikku, Coregonus albula) is a separate, smaller species, usually around 10–20 cm long. Vendace in the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility

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: Baltic waters; not a recreational fishing target in 2026
• Fishing rules (2026): recreational cod fishing is prohibited in EU Baltic waters (ICES subdivisions 22–32)

Check the current restrictions before planning a sea-fishing trip. EU Regulation 2025/2454: Baltic fishing rules for 2026

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