The labyrinthine island areas form endless water mazes. Landlocked salmon pursue vendace in wide open mid-lake areas, while pike and zander swim about at the flanks of rocks. The silence is unbroken as a ringed seal pops its head up above the water. Lake Saimaa is the most precious jewel of Finnish nature.

Lake Saimaa, the fourth largest lake in Europe, is situated in Eastern Finland between the Cities of Lappeenranta and Joensuu and is a diverse chain of waters almost 200 km long. For anglers, the extensive water body and its thousands of islands and islets represent an unlimited number of fishing grounds.

Lake Saimaa consists of several major water areas, joined up by sounds and narrow passages. These areas are also known as lakes named in their own right, even if their water level is the same. The key parts of Lake Saimaa are Lakes Suur-Saimaa, Pihlajavesi, Haukivesi, Puruvesi, Orivesi and Pyhäselkä.

Pike from edges of currents during hot spells

The most important game species on this largest lake in Finland are pike, zander and perch, which can be found throughout the area. Countless bays, points and shoals make for great fishing grounds.

On Lake Saimaa, you can catch big pike even during hot spells using spinning tackle in the fast-flowing narrow passages and their edges, characteristic of the area, where big perch also like to spend time pursuing bleak.

Current spots, such as Kyrönsalmi Sound on the flank of Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna, make for excellent zander spots, where zander are pursued by jigging from a boat.

A landlocked form of salmon, known as the Saimaa salmon, still lives in the lake as a relict from the Ice Age. The landlocked salmon stock is maintained by means of restocking. There is a specific management strategy in place for landlocked salmon, aiming to steer fishing practices.

Grayling can be found along the rugged shores of mid-lake islands in the southern part of Lake Saimaa and in the Puruvesi area. The last natural stock of Saimaa arctic char live in small numbers in nearby Lake Kuolimo.

In pursuit of big fish on Lake Suur-Saimaa

Lake Suur-Saimaa ('Saimaa Major', 1,377 km²) is the southernmost and largest part of Lake Saimaa, located off the cities of Lappeenranta and Imatra. The area's game species are perch, pike, brown trout, landlocked salmon, zander, various cyprinids and grayling. The Suur-Saimaa mid-lake area is split into two by the Second Salpausselkä ridge formation.