Beginner's Guide to Ice Fishing in Finland: Gear, Techniques & Tips

Julkaistu: 9/2/2026 | Kirjoittaja: Kalapaikat.com

Ice fishing (known as pilkkiminen in Finnish) is one of Finland's most popular winter outdoor traditions. The crisp winter air, peaceful frozen lakes, and the thrill of feeling a strike through the ice make it an unforgettable experience for anglers of all skill levels.

In Finland, ice fishing with a single rod is part of Public Rights of Access (Everyman's Right). This means anyone can go ice fishing for free without needing a national fisheries management fee or regional permit on most lakes and sea waters.

Essential Gear for Ice Fishing

You don't need expensive equipment to get started. Here are the core essentials for your first ice fishing trip:

1. Ice Auger (Jääkaira)

The auger is your most critical tool. You can't fish without a hole in the ice:

  • Size: For beginners targeting perch, roach, or whitefish, a 4-inch (100–115 mm) auger is ideal. It cuts through thick ice quickly and with minimal effort.
  • If you are targeting larger zander (pikeperch), pike, or burbot, a 6-inch (150 mm) auger provides enough room to pull bigger fish through.
  • Manual hand augers work great, though cordless drill adapters are increasingly popular during late winter when the ice is thickest.

2. Ice Fishing Rod and Reel

  • A couple of lightweight ice fishing rods are plenty to start with.
  • Sensitive tip rod: For small mormyskas (tungsten jigs) and light spoons, a rod with a soft indicator tip is essential to detect gentle nibbles.
  • Stiffer rod: For balance jigs (jigging raps) and heavier vertical lures, a slightly stiffer rod is needed to set the hook firmly.

3. Fishing Line

  • Monofilament line (0.14–0.22 mm) is the gold standard for ice fishing. Unlike braided lines, monofilament absorbs minimal water, stays pliable in freezing temperatures, and resists icing up.
  • Use 0.12–0.16 mm for delicate perch mormyskas, and 0.20–0.28 mm for balance jigs and predator fishing.

4. Slush Skimmer and Sled / Seat Box

  • Slush Skimmer (Sohjokauha): A plastic scoop used to clear ice chips and slush from your drilled hole.
  • Seating and Storage: A backpack with an integrated padded stool or a pull-behind ice sled (ahkio) to comfortably haul your gear across the snow.

Ice Fishing Lures and Baits

Ice fishing lures in Finland generally fall into three main categories:

  1. Vertical Jigs (Pystypilkki):
    • Traditional metallic lures that flutter and slide outward when jigged with short upward rod strokes.
    • Typically rigged with a colorful treble hook (värikoukku) or a short 5–10 cm dropper mono leader connected to a tiny mormyska.
  2. Balance Jigs / Jigging Raps (Tasapainopilkki):
    • Fish-shaped horizontal lures that dart in a wide figure-eight swimming action when lifted and dropped.
    • Irresistible to aggressive predatory perch, zander, and pike.
  3. Mormyskas (Morri):
    • Miniature weighted jigheads made of lead or high-density tungsten, tipped with live bait.
    • Fished with gentle, rhythmic trembling motions right above the lakebed.

Popular Baits

  • Maggots (Fly larvae): The most accessible and versatile bait, available in white and red at local fishing stores and gas stations.
  • Bloodworms (Chironomid larvae): Tiny, bright red natural larvae that are deadly for finicky perch and whitefish.
  • Fish eyes or fish strips: Excellent natural attractors when pursuing large perch or nocturnal burbot.

How to Fish on the Ice: Step by Step

  1. Pick your spot: Focus on underwater structure—drop-offs, humps, edges of bays, and tips of islands in 2 to 6 meters of depth.
  2. Drill and clear: Drill your hole and skim off most slush. Leaving a thin layer of slush over the hole prevents daylight from spooking shallow-water fish.
  3. Set your depth: Drop your lure to the bottom, then reel up 10–30 cm. Most fish feed near the lakebed.
  4. Jigging rhythm:
    • Make a few sharp 15–30 cm lifts to attract curious fish from afar.
    • Pause for 3 to 5 seconds. Most strikes occur during the still pause!
  5. Keep moving: If you don't get a bite within 10–15 minutes, drill a new hole 10–20 meters away. Active searching is the key to finding schools of winter fish.

Crucial Rule: Ice Safety First

Never venture out onto the ice without proper safety equipment:

  • Ice Picks (Jäänaskalit): Must always be worn around your neck and easily reachable outside your clothing.
  • Check Ice Thickness: A minimum of 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) of solid, clear black ice is required for a single person on foot.
  • Avoid Danger Zones: Stay clear of river mouths, narrow straits, bridges, and reed beds where underwater currents make the ice dangerously thin.