Helsinki Angling Marathon, ‘Stadionki'. Jari Tuiskunen

Exciting fishing competitions

Finns are a competitive race and fishing competitions have long traditions. Competitions are organised around the themes of ice-fishing, angling, trolling, spinning and crayfishing. Ice-fishing competitions attract the highest number of people; numbers of participants in the largest competitions run into thousands.

Ice-fishing enthusiasts spread out on the ice like ants during the Lake Kallavesi Finnish Championships. Lentokuva Vallas

Especially popular summer events are the hundreds of trolling competitions, the largest and most well-known of which is the 24-hour rowing marathon, the Puruvesi Salmon Championships, organised in Kesälahti. The River Teno Salmon Championship is resolved by trolling a big salmon from this majestic stream of Upper Lapland.

A trolling competition on Lake Rahajärvi, Inari. Petteri Kontila

The European Championships in salmon trolling, held on the Gulf of Finland, bring plenty of participants and spectators to Helsinki. Every year, Lake Oulujärvi hosts the European Championships in pike trolling, while the World Championships in zander trolling, known as Rönnin Veto, take place on Lake Längelmävesi. The solemn names of events, such as ‘World Championships', demonstrate Finnish anglers' ardent zeal – and sometimes quite considerable fanaticism – about their pastime. Many competitions are open to all interested participants.

Fish fairs offer fried vendace and many other fish delicacies. Tampere Fish Fair. Veli-Pekka Räty

Delicacies at fish fairs

About 50 fish fair events are organised every year, offering a diverse range of delicious fish dishes to be enjoyed on the spot, fresh fish and various preserved fish products, accompanied by plenty of additional entertainment. The largest events are the Helsinki and Turku Baltic Herring Fairs organised every autumn and the Tampere Fish Fair, held every spring and autumn.

Kuopio hosts the Savo Wilderness Fair every other year. Petteri Kontila

Brand new tackle at hunting and fishing fairs

Fishing and nature enthusiasts gather at hunting and fishing fairs, a few of which are organised every year. The most well-known events are the Riihimäki International Sportsmen's Fair, the Northern Finland Outdoor Life Fair in Oulu and the Savo Wilderness Fair in Kuopio. The fairs present a diverse range of tackle, clothing and travel offering and, naturally, the latest product innovations.