Meren in Inari

Lakes and Ponds of Lapland

This collection highlights the diverse freshwater systems of Inari, the heart of Sápmi. Dominating the landscape is Lake Inari, Finland’s third-largest lake, which contains over 3,000 islands and serves as a vital cultural site. The list also includes remote wilderness lakes like Iijärvi in the Kaldoaivi Wilderness Area and Sevettijärvi, a primary hub for Skolt Sámi culture. These waterways are integral to the subarctic ecosystem, supporting Arctic fish species and serving as historical transportation routes.

Lakes and Ponds of Lapland — Kaart

Francisco M. Marzoa Alonso / CC BY-SA 2.5

A

Lake Inari

Lake Inari is the largest lake in Sápmi and the third-largest lake in Finland.

B

Menesjärvi

Situated on the edge of Lemmenjoki National Park, this lake is traditionally associated with reindeer husbandry and the local Sámi community.

C

Lake Iijärvi

Lake Iijärvi is a medium-sized lake in Lapland in Finland. It is located in Kaldoaivi Wilderness Area.

D

Nitsijärvi

Nitsijärvi is a medium-sized lake in the Lapland of Finland. It is situated only 68 km from the Norwegian border, in the village of Näätämö.

E

Muddusjärvi

A large, clear-water lake near the village of Inari, known for its indigenous whitefish populations and its role in the Juutuanjoki river system.

F

Sevettijärvi

Located in northeastern Lapland, this lake serves as the cultural hub for the Skolt Sámi people who were resettled in this area in 1949.

G

Paatari

A significant lake in the Lemmenjoki watershed, historically utilized as a productive fishing ground for trout and whitefish by the local Sámi inhabitants.

H

Solojärvi

A smaller lake located along the Juutuanjoki waterway, connecting Lake Paatari with the larger Lake Inari.

I

Nangujärvi

A remote lake situated south of Lake Inari in a rugged wilderness area characterized by dense old-growth forests.

J

Vaskojärvi

A wilderness lake located within the Lemmenjoki National Park region, forming part of the headwaters for the Vaskojoki river.