Big Northern Pike Fishing (open water)

Big northern pike fishing in the Oulu region is designed for anglers who want to focus specifically on targeting trophy-sized pike – and perhaps even catch their personal best.

Season: The best time for big pike fishing is in early summer, from May 25 to June 15, and in autumn when the waters have cooled, roughly from October 1 to November 23. If you wish to book a trip during summer or early autumn when the water is warmer, please contact us by email. At that time of year, we usually focus on evening and night fishing.

Our Boat

✅ The fishing takes place in a small Oskwig Esox aluminum boat (4.3 m), a “Jon Boat-style” vessel perfectly suited for small and shallow waters.

✅ The boat is designed especially for locations without boat ramps, but it can also be used for sea fishing when wind conditions allow.

✅ In addition to the guide, the boat accommodates up to three guests (Note: the combined weight of guests must not exceed 270 kg). It is equipped with a bow-mounted trolling motor with GPS anchor, a Garmin Echomap side-scan sonar, and a Garmin Panoptix LiveScope sonar, displayed on two 10-inch screens. The boat also features casting decks at both the bow and stern, allowing guests to fish comfortably while standing.

This trip is best suited for anglers who want to focus specifically on catching big northern pike and are prepared to spend the whole day on the water chasing this majestic predator.

Oulu is a dream destination for pike anglers. As proof, our guide Jarkko Auno won Finland’s largest fishing competition, the HK-Open “Rennosti” series in spring 2023 among more than 1,000 boats, and the “Kaikki Peliin” series in spring 2024 with around 400 boats competing. The Oulu region is home to numerous prime pike waters, and we truly believe Oulu is the best place in Finland for trophy pike fishing.

Our goal is to catch the biggest pike possible. Because feeding windows for large pike are often short, we typically spend up to eight hours straight on the water. Guests should reserve the whole day for this trip and prepare for a 45–90 minute drive from Oulu city center to the fishing locations.

We handle all fish with great care, and every large specimen is released after weighing, measuring, and photographing. Big pike are most valuable in the water. However, if you would like to prepare and taste fresh fried pike, you are welcome to keep smaller individuals to take home.

Prices:

• 600 € / group of 1–2 persons

• 700 € / group of 3 persons

Price includes: Transportation from Oulu to the fishing locations and back in the guide’s car, guiding services, light snacks on board, life jackets, as well as all fishing gear and lures. Our equipment includes an Oskwig Esox 4.3 m aluminum boat, a Motorguide bow-mounted electric motor with GPS anchor, a Garmin Echomap side-scan sonar, a Garmin Panoptix LiveScope sonar, and two 10-inch displays, fishing licences.

Optional extra: A warm meal during the day can also be arranged. Price: 30€/person.

How to book a fishing trip?

Send us an email at info@nallikarisafaris.fi preferably at least 14 days before your desired date. We will then check availability for that day and open the service for booking in our calendar. Once you have made the reservation and completed the payment, your booking will be confirmed.

Additional information:

• Travel time from Oulu city center is 45–90 minutes. Guests should be prepared that once we leave Oulu, fishing usually begins about two hours later.

• Fishing techniques: modern casting fishing with electronics.

• Typical catch: 90–110 cm pike, with the possibility of catching individuals over 120 cm and weighing more than 10 kg.

• Catch probability: the chances of catching a 95–105 cm pike are good, and the probability of landing even larger specimens is fairly good.

• Handling the catch: all pike over 90 cm are always released after careful handling. Smaller individuals may be kept for food.

• Fishing areas: mainly shallow and vegetated waters, but during certain times of the year also rivers – especially when lakes and the sea are frozen.

• Meeting point: we will pick you up directly from your accommodation in Oulu.

• Duration: at least 8 hours on the water. Including transfers, the whole day usually takes around 12 hours.

• Suitability: recommended for participants aged 15+ with some prior fishing experience.

• Languages: Finnish and English.

• Group size: 1–3 persons. A second boat with another guide can be arranged if you contact us in advance, allowing for an additional group of 1–3 persons.