Abstract. This study explores the variability in concentrations of dissolved CH₄ and annual flux estimates in the pelagic zone in a statistically defined sample of 207 lakes in Finland. The lakes were situated in the boreal zone, in an area where the mean annual air temperature ranges from −2.8 to 5.9°C. We examined how lake CH₄ dynamics related to regional lake types assessed according to the EU water framework directive. Ten lake types were defined on the basis of water chemistry, color, and size. Lakes were sampled for dissolved CH₄ concentrations four times per year, at four different depths at the deepest point of each lake. We found that CH₄ concentrations and fluxes to the atmosphere tended to be high in nutrient rich calcareous lakes, and that the shallow lakes had the greatest surface water concentrations. Methane concentration in the hypolimnion was related to oxygen and nutrient concentrations, and to lake depth or lake area. The surface water CH₄ concentration was related to the depth or area of lake. Methane concentration close to the bottom can be viewed as proxy of lake status in terms of frequency of anoxia and nutrient levels. The mean pelagic CH₄ release from randomly selected lakes was 49 mmol m⁻² a⁻¹. The sum CH₄ flux (storage and diffusion) correlated with lake depth, area and nutrient content, and CH₄ release was greatest from the shallow nutrient rich and humic lakes. Our results support earlier lake studies regarding the regulating factors and also the magnitude of global emission estimate. These results propose that in boreal region small lakes have higher CH₄ fluxes per unit area than larger lakes, and that the small lakes have a disproportionate significance regarding to the CH₄ release.