HOW AND WHERE TO CATCH TROPHY PIKE IN FINLAND

Best Spots and Seasons for Pike Fishing. We Reveal the Secrets!



WHEN TO FISH

May and October are the best months to catch trophy pike in Finland. In spring, right after spawning, pike actively feed in shallow, sun-warmed bays and reed-filled coves. Because fish tend to concentrate in these areas, your chances of success increase significantly. Your main tool in May is a thermometer - warmer waters usually mean more active bites.

In autumn, as the water temperature drops rapidly, pike go on the hunt again. They become more active and often gather near reed-covered shorelines and at the mouths of small bays. During this period, the chance of landing a 6+ kg pike over a meter long is especially high.

In summer, as water temperatures rise, big pike retreat to deeper areas - drop-offs, holes, and underwater plateaus. At this time, catching a trophy fish “blind” is almost impossible. The real opportunity comes with sharp boat fishing using sonar and LiveScope. This technology lets you locate specific large pike, observe their behavior, and trigger strikes. Without electronics and a targeted approach, summer pike fishing for big fish is more of an exception than the rule.

WHERE TO FISH

The Turku Archipelago and the Gulf of Finland Coastline for May and October.

Finland’s southern seashore offers dozens of kilometers of reed-filled banks with diverse underwater terrain. Slow drifting along the shoreline combined with frequent casting will almost certainly lead either to a record-breaking number of pike caught in one day (up to 20 - 30 smaller fish weighing 1 - 3 kg), or to landing a truly trophy-sized catch.

It’s also helpful to vary your lure sizes and adjust retrieve speed - in autumn, pike can become selective. Pay attention to the wind: a light offshore breeze often makes fish more cautious, while a moderate crosswind typically boosts feeding activity.

BIG PIKE HOTSPOTS

Spring & Autumn
Shallow bays with reed-covered shorelines and dense underwater vegetation (e.g., Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ceratophyllum demersum) are prime locations. These plants create shade and cover, attracting baitfish - the main prey of pike. Ideal depth: 0.5–1 meter.

Typical Features of Active Pike Locations:

Vegetation Edges
Pike prefer to stay near the transition zone between dense vegetation (or reeds) and open water. These are classic ambush spots. Lures retrieved along this edge often trigger aggressive strikes.

Depth Transitions & Drop-offs
Changes in depth - from 0.5 - 1 m down to 2 - 3 m - are key areas, especially in spring and autumn. Pike rest slightly deeper but move into shallow areas to feed. “Pockets” and crevices along drop-offs are often productive.

Warm Spots in Spring / Oxygen-Rich Zones in Summer
In spring, pike gather in bays that warm up first. In summer, they prefer zones with better oxygen levels: areas with slight current, fresh water inflow, or no stagnation.

Presence of Baitfish
Schools of roach, perch, or bleak are a direct indicator: if bait is around, the predator is nearby. Sonars with SideScan or LiveScope make it easy to detect such zones accurately.

Approximate Active Depths:

Spring & Autumn: 0.5–2 m - peak feeding zone

Summer: 3 - 6 m or deeper, especially near drop-offs, sunken trees, or thermoclines (if present).

PIKE ACTIVITY DURING THE DAY

According to long-term catch statistics in Finland, fishing for pike during dark hours is largely ineffective. Only during the summer’s white nights is there a chance to catch bigger pike, although even then, it remains rare according to the data.

During peak spring days, there are two spikes in activity when catching large pike seems especially successful: from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. While there are no clear feeding breaks, more giant pike have been caught during these times.

In autumn, as daylight shortens, the best fishing window is from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

BEST BAITS FOR BIG PIKE

For trophy pike fishing, large baits measuring 18 - 20 cm or more work best. These can be jerkbaits, soft plastic swimbaits, or shad-style lures with weighted heads. This size usually weeds out smaller fish and attracts larger predators.

Spinnerbaits are especially effective in mid-May, when the water starts warming up, and in early October, as temperatures drop. Their vibration and visual noise are highly visible in murky or slightly stirred water, particularly along vegetation edges.

In cold water, pike are less aggressive, so the retrieve should be slower. In October and later, smooth, steady animations with pauses work well - bites often occur during the pause. It’s especially important in cold water to use lures with stable action at slow speeds, such as soft-bodied plastics or slow-sinking jerkbaits.

Experienced anglers also note that in autumn, pike may ignore bright colors and respond better to natural hues (sandy, silver, dark green), especially in clear water conditions.

Examples of fishing offers

BIG PIKE FISHING SPRING / AUTUMN

Sea Coast

BIG PIKE FISHING SUMMER

Lakes, fishing with LiveScope

*Important: The prices listed are approximate

The final cost depends on:

• time of year and trip duration
• cottage level and its amenities
• number of guests
• boat category

For an accurate quote, please send us a request including:

• intended dates
• number of participants
• preferred fishing style

We will quickly prepare a personalized offer and help you choose the best option.