Fishing tourism potential grows in Finland as locals catch impressive pike and zander

Patrik Hillner and Joni Kuismanen, both 27 years old and hailing from Lohja, have been fishing their entire lives. On a July day, they set off to fish at Hiidenvesi, located on the border of Lohja and Vihti, confident in their chances of catching something significant. “This lake is known for big northern pike and zander. If luck is on our side, we could encounter pike weighing close to ten kilos. There are also plenty of 90-centimeter zanders here,” Hillner describes.

According to Hillner, the predatory fish in Hiidenvesi grow to be huge due to their plentiful source of baitfish. As Kuismanen navigates the boat toward the lake’s deeper waters, they use live sonar to track fish movements. Although they find few other boats on the lake, this may change in the future.

While commercial fishing declines, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has identified substantial growth potential in fishing tourism. This sentiment is echoed by Kari Koivisto, a fishing guide in Southern Finland, who believes Finland is not yet fully discovered as a fishing destination. “We Finns sometimes take our nature for granted, not realizing its potential for tourism.”

The ministry’s ambitious goal is to elevate Finland’s fishing services to among the best in Europe within the next decade. To support this, €230,000 has been allocated for planning smaller-scale pilot projects.

Hillner and Kuismanen’s fishing trip proves successful: within hours, they catch a 85-centimeter pike and a 60-centimeter zander. While technology aids in catching larger fish, Hillner advocates for responsible fishing practices, emphasizing the need to return the largest fish to the water to maintain ecological balance. Enjoying their time on the lake, Hillner reflects on the tranquility it offers, along with the thrill of fishing for impressive catches.