Our Lake

Here in Finland we have 187,888 lakes which are over 50 metres! This just one of the interesting facts which a guide will inform you when taking a tour. In the lake district which is situated in the lake district which covers most of the middle and Eastern areas of Finland, there are 40 lakes for every 100 square kilometres of land. To be counted as a lake, the water area has to be over 500 metres, and the largest lake is more than 4,400 square kilometres making it the 5th largest lake in Finland.

The lake which is located in Siuntio at my families summer residence is just over two kilometres in length and half a kilometre wide counting it amongst the lakes of Finland. Known as Bear Lake (Karhujärvi) from its shape when seen from the air. The lake has an abundance of wildlife which the family has enjoyed for over 200 years.

Bear Lake

Lakes in Finland have played and still play an important role in the lives of Finns. The colours of the Finnish flag are said to be the white of the clouds and the blue of the lakes. They have been over the years a source of food, transport and pleasure ever since people have been living here over 8,000 years.

Often when travelling around the country and coming across one of these lakes you will certainly see small sauna huts up to the waters edge. This is the Finn's most idealistic location for their saunas. There is no better feeling than having a hot sauna and then walking out to swim in the lake to cool off, before heading back to the sauna again.

An abundance of water birds can be spotted living on the lakes and over 60 different breeds of fish. Bear Lake is especially abundant in Perch-Pike, Pike and Perch, but it is also possible to come across many other varieties such as Carp, Bream and Roach. Bear Lake has also a large population of fresh water mussels and into the late summer to Autumn time it is also possible to spot Crayfish, which have returned to the lake for the first time in many years.

A family of Swans on Bear Lake

Larger animals also live around the water's edge, Otters have been spotted here over the last couple of years and deer and elk (European moose) often come to the water's edge to drink or swim. The tracks of Lynx have been found and if lucky a Fox can be glimpsed wandering down by the edge of the water hoping for the chance to catch an unwary water bird or two.

White Tailed Deer running across the frozen lake

The lake itself has many faces during the year, with spectacular sun sets and sun rises there is always something to catch your attention. Whether it is frozen or warm, stormy or still everyone feels attracted to stop and pause a while, to look out over its waters, never knowing beforehand what there is to see.

A warm Spring day

Stormy skies

Water road

Misty morning

Colours