Tag: Summer in Finland

10 Fun Facts about Fishing in Finland

Fun facts about fishing in a land of a thousand lakes

Fishing is a very popular sport in a land of a thousand lakes.
But did you know these fun facts about fishing in Finland?

10 Fun Facts about Fishing in Finland

1. Fishing Is Very Popular in Finland

Recreational fishing is very popular in Finland. There are about 1.5 million fishermen and fisherwomen in Finland, which means that about 27 percent of Finns enjoy fishing regularly.

2. In Finland it’s called “Kalastus”

In Finnish, fish is “kala” and fishing is “kalastus”. And when Finns go fishing, they say “mennä kalastamaan”. If you want to learn more Finnish words about fishing, check these articles; what is fish in Finnish and what is fishing in Finnish?

3. What Fish Species You Can Catch in Finland?

In Finnish waters, there are about 70 fish species, of which about 20 are fairly easy to fish. Some of the most common Finnish fish species are perch, bronze bream, pike-perch, salmon, pike, burbot, whitefish and vendace.

4. Perch is Finland’s National Fish

If you go fishing in Finland, there is a good chance that you’re first catch is a perch. Perch is very common in Finland. It is also the Finland’s national fish.

5. Angling is the Most Popular Method of Fishing

There are many fishing methods being used in Finland, but perhaps the most popular is angling with a hook and line. That’s because it’s very easy, you can do it almost anywhere, and it can be very relaxing…as long as you don’t take fishing too seriously.

6. What is the Biggest Fish Caught in Finland?

According to the statistics of the Kalatalouden Keskusliitto (The Federation of Finnish Fisheries Associations) the biggest fish caught in Finland waters was a cod that weighted 29 kilograms. It was caught near Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea in 2022.

7. How About Fishing in Winter?

In Finland there is a long winter season. But luckily, winter is no problem for fishing. You just need a different fishing method. When lakes and rivers get frozen, Finns go ice fishing.

8. Do I Need a Fishing License?

If you just want to go angling with a hook and line, or enjoy ice fishing, you don’t need a fishing license. By paying the fishing management fee, you are allowed to go lure fishing using one rod, reel and lure. For any other fishing method, or if you are fishing with more than one rod, you’ll also need a permission from the owner of the water area. Visit Eräluvat website for more info about the fishing licenses in Finland.

9. Instead of Good Luck, Finns Wish “Kireitä Siimoja”

Wishing luck is believed to bring bad luck for fishing. So instead of wishing good luck, Finns say “kireitä siimoja” which means tight lines.

10. Ahti Gives

If you catch a fish in Finland, you might hear someone say “Ahti suo antejaan”. It means Ahti gives. Ahti is an old Finnish name, but what he has got to do with fishing?
In the Finnish national epic, Kaleva, Ahti is the god of water and fish. So when you catch a fish, a small thanks goes to Ahti.

Don’t Worry If You Didn’t Catch Anything

Of course it would be nice to catch something after all the hard work, but unfortunately this doesn’t happen every time. But does it really matter. For most Finns, fishing isn’t just about catching a fish. It is also about enjoying outdoors, visiting new places and spending great time with friends or family. So don’t worry if you didn’t catch anything…you’ll probably have better luck next time!

Visit these sites for more info:
Metsähallitus
Fishing in Finland
Image by Jaakko Julkunen, 1993, Finnish Heritage Agency

What is BBQ Party in Finnish?

Finns would call it a “grillijuhlat”.

What is BBQ party in Finnish? Finns would call it a “grillijuhlat”. But if you want to invite your Finnish friends over, you don’t need to organize a party. The barbecue is reason enough to visit.

What is a BBQ Party in Finnish

  • BBQ party = grillijuhlat
  • party = juhla, juhlat
  • grilling = grillaus, grillaaminen
  • barbecue = grillaus, grillaaminen
  • invitation = kutsu
  • backyard = takapiha
  • terrace = terassi
  • grilled food = grilliruoka
  • hamburger = hampurilainen
  • salad = salaatti
  • dessert = jälkiruoka
  • cold drinks = kylmät juomat, kylmiä juomia
  • ice bucket = jääpalakulho
  • cooler bag = kylmälaukku, jäähdytysastia
  • chair = tuoli
  • table = pöytä
  • utensils = astiat
  • plates = lautaset
  • forks = haarukat
  • knives = veitset
  • spoons = lusikat

List of Grilled Foods in Finnish

What are grilled foods in Finnish?

Grilled food is “grilliruoka” or “grillattu ruoka” in Finnish. But what are grilled foods in Finnish? Here is a list of grilled foods which are popular in Finland.

Grilled Foods in Finnish

  • grilled food = grilliruoka, grillattu ruoka
  • steak = pihvi
  • sausage = makkara
  • burger = hampurilainen
  • ribs = ribsit, grilliluut
  • meat skewers = lihavartaat
  • vegetable skewers = kasvisvartaat
  • chicken wings = kanan siipipalat
  • chicken breast = kananrinta
  • beef tenderloin = naudan sisäfile
  • pork tenderloin = possun/porsaan sisäfile
  • pulled pork = nyhtöpossu
  • lamb chops = lampaankyljykset
  • salmon = lohi
  • shrimp = katkarapu
  • cheese = juusto
  • onion = sipuli
  • tomato = tomaatti
  • sweet pepper = paprika
  • zucchini = kesäkurpitsa
  • asparagus = parsa
  • pineapple = ananas
  • mushroom = sieni
  • stuffed peppers = täytetyt paprikat
  • corn on the cob = maissintähkä
  • cheese sandwich = juustoleipä
  • garlic bread = valkosipulileipä

What is BBQ in Finnish?

Finns love to cook outdoors in summer, but what is BBQ in Finnish?

Finns love to cook outdoors in summer, but what is BBQ in Finnish?
When Finns barbecue or grill food, they call it “grillaaminen” or “grillaus”. Here are some words related to barbecuing and grilling in Finnish.

What is BBQ in Finnish?

  • grilling = grillaus, grillaaminen
  • barbecuing = grillaaminen, grillaus, barbecue-grillaus
  • smoking = savustus
  • barbecue (verb) = grillata
  • charcoal grill = hiiligrilli
  • gas grill = kaasugrilli
  • electric grill = sähkögrilli
  • wood = puu
  • charcoal = puuhiili
  • gas = kaasu
  • fire = tuli
  • open fire = avotuli
  • heat = lämpö
  • hot = kuuma
  • smoke = savu
  • food = ruoka
  • meat = liha
  • pork = possu, porsaanliha, sianliha
  • beef = nauta, naudanliha
  • chicken = kana
  • fish = kala
  • seafood = merenelävät
  • vegetables = kasvikset
  • grill skewers = grillivartaat
  • spice = mauste
  • marinade = marinadi
  • sauce = kastike
  • grilled = grillattu
  • grilled food = grilliruoka

What is the Hottest City in Finland?

If you want to find the hottest places, where should you go?

Summer weather in Finland isn’t usually very hot, but pleasently warm. By the statistics, the coastal towns are the sunniest in Finland, but not always the warmest. If you want to find the hottest places, where should you go?
What is the hottest city in Finland?

The Highest Temperature – City of Joensuu

Temperature in Finland is rarely above 30 °C (86 °F), and very rarely above 30 °C (95 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded in Finland was 37,2 °C (99 °F). This record was made in the city of Kouvola on July 29th, in 2010.

The Hottest Heat Wave – Village of Nellim

Summers in northern Finland are usually not as warm as in southern Finland. But sometimes the temperatures turn upside down, and it might be warmer in Lapland than in southern Finland. Especially the summer of 1972 was very warm in Lapland. Temperatures were over 30 °C (86 °F) in many places, including in Utsjoki, which is the northernmost place in Finland. But the hottest heat wave was experienced in a Village of Nellim, where the daily maximum temperature was over 30 °C for ten (10) consecutive days between June 30th and July 9th.

The Highest Number of Hot Days – City of Kouvola

Summers aren’t usually very hot in Finland. Usually there are just 10-15 days when the temperature is above 25 °C (77 °F). These hot days are called “hellepäivät” in Finnish. But there have also been summers, when the number of hot days have been much higher. In 2010, in the city of Kouvola, there were 48 hot days. This is the highest number of hot days ever recorded in Finland. So Kouvola has recorded the highest number of hot days, but also some other cities in Finnish Lakeland region have come quite close. City of Lahti had 47 hot days in 2010, city of Heinola 46 in 2018, city of Mikkeli 44 in 2018 and city of Lappeeranta 42 in 2014.

What is the Hottest City in Finland?

So what is the answer to our question. By the statistics, it looks quite simple. If you want to experience the highest number of sunny days, visit Finnish Coast and Archipelago. If you want to have the most number of hot days, visit Finnish Lakeland. Or if you are dreaming that the hot heat wave returns, visit Finnish Lapland. But no matter which you choose, you have made a great choice!