Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

The best catch may be the whole afternoon. At Rahajärvi near Ivalo, you learn old Lappish fishing methods, drill through lake ice, check nets, and cook fish over an open fire. I like that this is more than a quick photo stop. You take part in the work, then eat what comes from the cold northern water.

I also like the calm rhythm of the outing. The forest lake, fire, warm shelter, and simple meal give you a real taste of winter life in Finnish Lapland. The main drawback is the weather: ice fishing requires patience, and winter conditions can change quickly. You need proper warm, windproof clothing, which is not provided.

The five-hour trip costs $167 per person and includes transport connected with the activity, cooking gear, tableware, safety equipment, and food cooked over the fire. That is fair value if you want a hands-on cultural experience, not just a ride through snowy scenery.

Six details worth knowing before you book

• Rahajärvi is the setting: You leave Ivalo by car for a forest lake where the fishing takes place.
• Three traditional methods are included: You learn ice-hole drilling, rod fishing, and net fishing beneath the ice.
• Your catch becomes lunch: Fish is prepared over an open fire, with dishes that may include fish soup or a creamy fish stew.
• The fire is part of the experience: You cook in different ways and finish with simple treats such as marshmallows when available.
• Family groups can take part: Guides demonstrate each step and help children with the practical work.
• Winter clothing is your responsibility: Bring warm, windproof layers, water, snacks, and a camera.

From Ivalo to a frozen lake at Rahajärvi

The day begins at 10:00 from Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12. You should arrive by 9:45, giving the guides time to prepare equipment and get everyone ready for the drive.

The road transfer matters because Rahajärvi is not simply a fishing lesson beside the shop. You leave town and reach a quieter outdoor setting, where the lake and surrounding forest become the main backdrop. A complimentary pickup service is available in Ivalo. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, contact Xwander in advance about a transfer.

The ride also makes this easier than organizing your own winter outing. You do not need to find a frozen lake, carry cooking supplies, or work out how to fish safely through the ice. The tradeoff is that the activity depends on a group departure and set timing, so it is not a private, flexible half-day in the usual sense.

You return to the shop at about 15:15. With roughly five hours from departure to return, this fits neatly into a day in Ivalo, though you should avoid scheduling another activity too tightly afterward.

Drilling the ice the traditional way

Once you reach the lake, the first practical task is making holes in the ice. The Finnish term kairaaminen refers to drilling through the frozen surface with an ice auger.

This is a useful part of the outing because it shows the work behind ice fishing. You are not handed a ready-made hole and sent to sit beside it. You take part in preparing the fishing spot, with the guide showing you how the equipment works.

Do not expect this to feel effortless. One person described having trouble drilling through the ice, which is a good reminder that this is physical winter work. The cold can also make small tasks feel slower than expected. If you prefer easy sightseeing with little effort, this may test your patience. If you enjoy learning by doing, it adds value.

The guides provide demonstrations and help with the process. That is especially useful for families, since younger children may need assistance with the auger and fishing gear. The activity has been well suited to groups that include children and older family members, although everyone should be ready for cold outdoor conditions.

Pilkkiminen, the quiet art of ice fishing

After the holes are ready, you try pilkkiminen, traditional Finnish ice fishing. You lower a line into the water and wait for a bite.

This is the calmest part of the trip. Ice fishing is not a nonstop action sport. You may catch fish quickly, or you may spend time watching the line and listening to the quiet around the lake. That slower pace is part of its appeal, particularly if you have spent several days moving between busy Lapland activities.

The guides explain how to fish and demonstrate the technique. Their role is important because the method may be unfamiliar, and a small adjustment can make the process easier. The experience is designed for beginners rather than people bringing specialist fishing knowledge.

The catch is not guaranteed, and you should not book this expecting a large haul. The value comes from taking part in a traditional activity and learning how the meal begins. When you do catch fish yourself, the connection to lunch is immediate and satisfying.

A practical tip: keep snacks and water with you even though food is included later. The supplied advice is sensible, especially because waiting in the cold can make you hungry before the cooking begins.

Checking the nets beneath the frozen surface

The third method is juomustus, or net fishing under the ice. This gives the outing a different feel from rod fishing.

With the line, you wait for a fish to come to you. With the net, you learn how fish can be caught beneath the ice using a more traditional method. The guide handles the process and explains what is happening, while you help inspect the net and see what has been caught.

This was one of the most memorable parts for a family group, who caught fish with a line and then checked the nets. It also gives children another clear task, which helps keep the five-hour outing engaging.

The net work is not a separate boat trip or a modern fishing excursion. It is a look at practical winter fishing methods adapted to a frozen lake. You will likely appreciate it most if you are curious about local food traditions and how people made use of northern waters.

The conditions may affect what you see. Winter weather changes quickly, and fishing results can vary. The guides can teach the method, but they cannot promise a particular catch or a specific number of fish.

Cooking the catch beside the campfire

After fishing, the focus shifts from the lake to the fire. Xwander provides cooking equipment, tableware, safety equipment, and the ingredients needed to prepare the food.

The meal is cooked outdoors over an open fire, with different ways of preparing the fish. This is where the price begins to make more sense. You are not only paying for transport and instruction. You are also getting an organized outdoor meal, equipment, and a guided activity that would be difficult to arrange independently in winter.

The exact menu can vary. One outing included fish in a creamy stew with bread, while another included salmon soup and marshmallows by the fire. You should think of those dishes as examples rather than a fixed promise. The common thread is very fresh fish prepared after the catch.

The meal is a strong part of the experience. Northern waters are cold and clear, and the fish is presented as especially good when cooked fresh. Eating near the lake, after helping with the fishing, gives the food more meaning than a standard restaurant lunch.

A warm shelter or tent around the fire may be used, which is welcome when you have spent time on the ice. One German participant particularly appreciated being warm while eating. Still, do not treat the fire as a substitute for proper clothing. You will spend time outside, and windproof layers remain essential.

Marshmallows may round out the meal, making the fire stop appealing to children and adults alike. Bring your camera if you want pictures of the ice, fishing gear, and cooking, but protect it from cold and moisture.

A family-friendly outing with real participation

This activity works well for families because every stage has a clear purpose. Children can watch the demonstrations, help with fishing, see the nets checked, and take part in the fire-side meal.

The guides have been praised for explaining each step carefully and helping children when needed. That support matters more here than on a simple sightseeing trip. Ice augers, fishing lines, nets, and an open fire all require guidance.

Older family members can also enjoy the trip because the pace is not built around fast movement. The main challenge is the cold and the physical effort of drilling. If someone in your group struggles with winter conditions, the five hours may feel long, particularly during periods of wind.

The activity requires at least two participants. That makes it unsuitable for a solo booking unless another participant joins, so check availability before making firm plans.

What the $167 price really covers

At $167 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend five hours in Lapland. Its value depends on what you want from the day.

You are paying for:

• Transport connected with the lake outing
• A live guide in Finnish, English, or French
• Instruction in three fishing methods
• Cooking over an open fire
• Food and cooking equipment
• Tableware and safety equipment
• A guided winter activity with a local focus

The price is easier to justify if you would otherwise need to hire transport, buy or rent fishing gear, arrange a meal, and find someone to explain safe ice fishing. You get all of those parts in one organized outing.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick chance to catch a fish. Fishing results depend on conditions, patience, and luck. You should book this for the full experience: practical learning, quiet time at a frozen lake, and fresh food around a fire.

Winter clothing is not included. That is an extra cost if you have not packed suitable gear. Bring warm layers, a windproof outer layer, gloves, a hat, and sturdy winter footwear. The supplied information does not promise clothing rental, so ask Xwander before booking if you need equipment.

Dietary requirements and allergies should be stated at the time of booking. That is particularly important for a meal prepared outdoors, where the available food may be organized in advance.

Guides, languages, and the pace of the day

Guiding is available in Finnish, English, and French. The demonstrations are a central part of the activity, so choosing a language in which you can follow safety instructions and fishing techniques is important.

One guide named Julian received specific thanks for being kind and careful throughout the activity. That matches the main strength of the guiding style: clear demonstrations, help with children, and support during the fishing and cooking stages.

The five-hour length gives the day room to breathe. You are not rushed from one station to the next. At the same time, the pace may feel slow if you want constant entertainment. Ice fishing involves waiting, and weather can change the mood quickly.

I would plan this for a day when you can accept a little uncertainty. You might catch fish, or you might mainly learn the methods and enjoy the meal. Either outcome can be worthwhile, but only if you understand that this is a traditional outdoor activity rather than a guaranteed fishing success.

Cancellation, meeting point, and what to bring

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Availability determines the starting time, but the scheduled day begins at 10:00 with the 9:45 arrival request.

Transport to the Eräsoppi meeting point at Ivalontie 12 is not included as a general service. Pickup is complimentary within Ivalo, while transfers from Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää must be arranged ahead of time.

Pack:

• Warm, windproof clothing
• Water
• Snacks
• A camera

The clothing advice is not a minor note. Finnish winter weather can change quickly, and you may spend a long period standing or sitting on the ice. Dress for the coldest likely conditions rather than the forecast at breakfast.

Who should book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking?

I recommend this for you if you want an active cultural experience with food at its center. It suits families, first-time ice fishers, and anyone who prefers learning a local skill to simply watching a winter show.

It is also a good choice if you want a quieter day in nature. The lake, fire, and simple cooking create a more personal sense of place than a short photo stop.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold weather, have no interest in fishing, or want guaranteed action. The drilling takes effort, the fishing may be slow, and winter conditions cannot be controlled.

For most visitors to Ivalo, the strongest reason to book is the combination of three things: you learn how the fishing works, you help produce the meal, and you eat it beside the fire. That link between activity and food gives the day its character.

FAQ

Where does the ice fishing activity take place?

The activity takes place at Rahajärvi, a lake near Ivalo in Finnish Lapland.

Where does the trip start?

The trip starts at the Eräsoppi, or Xwander, shop at Ivalontie 12. You should arrive by 9:45 for the 10:00 departure.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is about five hours. The group returns to the shop around 15:15.

Is pickup available?

Complimentary pickup is available in Ivalo. For Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää, you should contact Xwander in advance to arrange a transfer.

What fishing methods will I learn?

You will learn ice-hole drilling, called kairaaminen, ice fishing, called pilkkiminen, and net fishing under the ice, called juomustus.

Is food included?

Yes. Food cooked over an open fire is included, along with cooking equipment and tableware. Fish soup, creamy fish stew, bread, and marshmallows have been served on outings, but the exact meal can vary.

Are winter clothes provided?

No. Winter clothing is not included. You should bring warm, windproof clothing.

What languages are available?

The live guides speak Finnish, English, and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if you want to work for your Lapland lunch. At $167, it offers good value for a five-hour guided day that combines transport, traditional fishing, open-fire cooking, equipment, and a meal.

Skip it if you need indoor comfort, a fast-paced schedule, or a guaranteed catch. For everyone else, especially families and curious first-time ice fishers, Rahajärvi offers a memorable way to see winter life through practical work, quiet water, and food cooked while the fire is still glowing.