• Rainbow trout Ice fishing
• Whitefish Ice fishing
• Burbot Ice fishing
• Perch Ice fishing
• Pike Ice fishing
• Fishing resorts -Ice fishing

Ice fishing in Finland

The ice fishing season begins in winter when lakes freeze. Hundreds of lakes in Finland offer excellent possibilities for ice fishing.

You need a rod and a jig for ice fishing. A seat and a sludge ladle are also important, as well as warm clothes. You will also need an ice drill if you don't want to use old ice holes.

Perch, roach and powan are the most usual catches when ice fishing.The middle of winter it is excellent season to fish burbot, and late winter is good time to fish pike.

When you want to ice fish you have to drill a hole or it is also possible to use old holes. You should either move actively or fish from the same hole for a long time, depending on the type of fish you're trying to catch.

The jigging technique is different with different jigs. An upright jig with an chironomid larva or fly larva as a bite is lowered about 30 cm above the bottom, after which you have to lift the jig about 0,5 metres up a couple of times. This makes the jig move attractively. Next you have to hold the jig in the same place for a moment and follow the point of the rod or line to see if fish bite on the jig. If a fish bites on it, you have to strike upwards and pull the fish out through the hole on to the ice. After you have released the fish back you have to check your bite and lower the jig back into water as soon as possible. If fish do not bite, you have to lift the jig up again a couple of times and wait again for a while. An upright jig imitates a small fish.

A jig swims attractively and in balance and it is usually used without a bait. It is useful to familiarize yourself with the way how the jig swims by jigging near the hole and following the motion of the jig. Jigging is started near the bottom. You should hold the jigger in the same place for a moment and wait for a bite after a couple of lifts. If a fish bites you have to strike and pull the fish on the ice from the line. If the fish escapes, you should raise the lure about 30 cm and make new attractive motions and wait for another bite. Especially perch can follow the jigger directly under the ice and then bite. if you loose contact with fish you should begin the jigging again near the bottom.

The third general jigging method is to fish with a so called "Mormuska" (little weighed hook) with an chironomid larva or fly larva as a bite is lowered near the bottom. Then you should tremble and lift the "Mormuska" near the bottom. It is important to keep the "mormuska" in motion. The "mormuska" is light and therefore it is important to use also light fishing tackles. The "mormuska" can also be used below an upright jig with a 5- 10 cm long line. If you do this, you need to fish with the same method as with an upright jig.

Basic equipment: Ice fishing rod, ice drill
Accessories: Sludge ladle, warm clothes