Lake Ruovesi – the fishing lake of witches, the Tampere Region, Finland

Lake Ruovesi starts at the Vilppulankoski Rapids, where waters flow from the rapids as a narrow meandering route towards the Paloselkä area to the east. On the Vilppula side of the route, the waters are lush and fairly shallow; there are extensive areas where the water is just a few metres deep. The sounds in the area yield zander catches right from the start of the season in late May. Popular fishing grounds include the areas surrounding Poukansaari Island, Soilu Strait and the area around Nokia Island.

Zander strike soft plastic jigs in Ruovesi sounds and shallows.

Pike from the legendary Paloselkä area

The Paloselkä area is one of the most famous big pike areas in Finland, which more or less yielded more over 10-kilo pike than all the other lakes combined back in the early 1990’s. The fragmented and diverse area formed by Aittoselkä, Hongonselkä, Paloselkä and Majaselkä still provides good chances of catching big pike. The area is also a good zander fishing site.

Potential pike spots include shoals, fast-flowing sounds, bays and pits lying between shallows. There are also 10–20 metre deeps in this area. There are campfire sites on Kaisansaari and Kasilansaari islands where you can land in the middle of your fishing trip.

Over a metre-long pike is an angler’s dream.

Predators thrive in torrents

Hanhonvuolle Strait is a great spot for fishing pike, zander and perch alike. On the eastern side of the strait, the water route becomes gradually deeper. To the south of Syvinkisalmi Sound, which connects Lakes Tarjannevesi and Ruovesi, lies the Mustaselkä area, a deep cauldron with big pike fattening themselves up on small fry in its depths.

Other pike spots worth trying include the areas surrounding Varisniemi Point in the eastern part of the area, as well as Korpulanvuolle Strait and Korpulanlahti Bay in the southern part. The waters of Mustaselkä deeps are 30-40 metres deep and the area is also a potential site for trolling trout and zander.

An endless selection of fishing grounds at the edges of islands, islets and sounds.

Magic and art in fishing grounds

There are plenty of shallows and considerable depth variations in the Ruovesiselkä-Pöytäselkä area off Ruovesi town centre. Sites worth going after pike by spinning and trolling include the waters close to Haapasaari Island, the area off Storminiemi Point, the Väärinselkä mid-lake area and the waters off the shores of Kalela, the wilderness studio of the famous painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela. The banks of shallows close to the boat route and Kauttu Strait are good spots for catching zander and perch.

Finland’s last witch, Antti Lieroinen, was burnt on Lieransaari Island in Ruovesi in the 17th century. In memory of this event, the Witch Trials Festival is organised in Ruovesi town centre every summer, culminating in the election of the Witch of the Year.

Perch have become plump during the warm summers.

The meandering Kauttu–Murole water route

In the southern part of Lake Ruovesi, between Kauttu Strait and Murole Canal, open lake areas and narrow sounds alternate while depth variations increase. There may be 40–50 metres of water under the keel just off the tip of a point. Famous fishing grounds include the areas surrounding Jäminginsaari and Palosaari islands in the Jäminginselkä area, Jäminginvuolle Strait and Kirnusalmi Sound. In Kirnusalmi Sound, you can also admire prehistoric rock paintings while fishing.

The Palovesi area has many islands with plenty of summer holiday homes. On arrival at the Ohrionselkä area, anglers can feast their eyes on the majestic rocky shores. The area’s game species include zander, pike, perch and – on a good day – brown trout, too.

Rocky shores are good pike spots in early summer.

Typical game species on Lake Ruovesi include whitefish, burbot and bream – the last of which is proudly blazoned on the Ruovesi municipal coat of arms – as well as other cyprinids.

A burbot may sometimes make a surprise appearance in the
Paloselkä waters renowned for big pike.

ZANDERLAND - Lakes - Ruovesi		Tampere Region - Finland


Lake Ruovesi

Video	Map


Base map © National Land Survey of Finland, 2016

Lake Keurusselkä, located to the north of Mänttä, is a shallow lake dotted with islands and a great fishing lake. There is a new licence area on Lake Kuorevesi (starting from year 2016). Kuorevesi is a narrow lake located between Mänttä and Halli (pink colour on the map). Licences of Lake Kuorevesi are sold at www.kalapassi.fi.

Licence prices (combined licence area)	Key to symbols



To the north of Lake Näsijärvi lies a diverse water route meandering through forest sceneries. Renowned for its big pike, Lake Ruovesi is also a great zander site and offers an alluring fishing environment for anglers.