Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

The best part of this five-hour outing is that you do not simply watch someone fish. You drill through the ice, try the traditional line method, and inspect nets set below Rahajärvi. Then your catch becomes lunch beside a forest lake.

I like the practical link to local life, and I like the warm finish around the fire, where fish, bread, soup, and toasted marshmallows turn a cold morning into a sociable meal. The main drawback is the weather: winter conditions change quickly, and you must bring your own warm clothing.

Key points to know before booking

• Three traditional fishing methods: Learn ice drilling, rod fishing, and net fishing under the frozen lake.
• A real open-fire meal: The fish you catch is cooked at camp, with cooking gear and tableware provided.
• A five-hour morning outing: Meet at 9:45 at Eräsoppi in Ivalo for a 10:00 departure, returning around 15:15.
• Family-friendly instruction: Guides demonstrate each step and help children take part, though young participants still need warm clothing and close attention.
• French, Finnish, and English guides: The experience can suit mixed-language groups, and guide Julian has helped lead the activity.
• Transport needs checking: Pickup is free in Ivalo, but transfers from Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää must be arranged ahead of time.

From Ivalo to the frozen waters of Rahajärvi

Your morning starts at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12. Arrive by 9:45, even though the car ride begins at 10:00. That extra quarter-hour is used for preparation, and arriving late could make the start feel rushed.

The drive takes you from Ivalo toward Rahajärvi. The setting is part of the appeal. This is not a quick demonstration beside a town road. You head out to a lake surrounded by quiet northern nature, where the frozen surface becomes your fishing platform.

The exact route and drive time are not specified, so do not plan another tight activity immediately after this one. The stated return time is about 15:15, giving you a useful half-day window for the outing, but winter roads and preparations are best treated with a little flexibility.

A complimentary pickup is available within Ivalo. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, contact Xwander before booking a transfer. The price does not include transport to the meeting point, so check this detail before you compare the total cost with other activities.

Drilling into the ice the Lappish way

At the lake, the first job is making a hole. The traditional term is kairaaminen, and the work gives you a better feel for winter fishing than simply receiving a ready-made hole.

Drilling into solid lake ice takes effort. A guide will demonstrate the method and help you use the equipment safely. One Japanese-language account of the outing described the hole-making as hard work, which is useful to know. This is a hands-on activity, not a passive photo stop.

That effort also gives the fishing a clear rhythm. You prepare the ice, set up, and wait. In Lapland, the quiet is not empty time. It is part of the experience, especially when everyone is watching the hole and listening to the sounds around the lake.

Your guide supplies the safety equipment and directs the activity. You still need to arrive dressed for cold and wind. Winter clothing is not included, and ordinary city coats may not be enough for several hours outside.

Trying pilkkiminen, traditional ice fishing

Once the holes are ready, you try pilkkiminen, the Finnish style of ice fishing with a short line through the ice. The guide explains how to handle the equipment and shows the technique before you try it yourself.

The catch is never guaranteed, and that is worth keeping in mind. Fishing is part skill, part patience, and part luck. The activity remains worthwhile even if your hole stays quiet, because you also take part in net fishing and the cooking session.

Still, catching a fish adds a real sense of reward. You are not fishing only for a photograph. The stated plan is to cook and eat the catch, so the line fishing connects directly to lunch.

The guides are an important part of this section. They give demonstrations and help participants of different ages. Families with young children and grandparents have been able to join the activity, and the support from the Xwander team makes it easier for everyone to take a turn.

Guide Julian is specifically associated with one of the outings. If you have a preferred language, ask about guide availability when booking. Finnish, English, and French are offered.

Checking the nets below Rahajärvi

The second fishing method is juomustus, net fishing under the ice. This adds a different kind of interest because you are checking a fishing system rather than waiting over one small hole.

The guide handles the parts that require experience and explains what is happening. You get a look at a traditional method used beneath the frozen surface, which gives the trip more local character than a standard tourist fishing lesson.

The net check also helps keep the morning moving. Rod fishing can be slow, especially for first-time fishers. Looking at the nets gives the group another task and another chance to find fish.

The guides also prepare the catch for cooking. You should understand that the exact amount and type of fish depends on conditions. The clear, cold northern water is presented as a reason for the fish being especially good to eat, but the menu cannot be promised in advance.

Cooking the catch beside a campfire

After fishing, the group gathers around an open fire. Cooking equipment and tableware are included, so you do not need to pack a pan, plate, or utensils.

The cooking is not limited to one fixed style. The activity introduces different ways to cook fish over an open fire, and the guides prepare what you catch. Past meals have included fish in a creamy soup or stew with bread, as well as salmon soup. These examples show the kind of hearty food that suits a cold day, though the precise dish may vary.

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. A fish cooked shortly after it comes from the lake has a clear connection to the place and the work you have just done. You are not being served a generic packed lunch at a roadside stop.

There is also a simple social side to the meal. The fire gives everyone a warm place to sit and talk, and the camp setting slows the pace. Marshmallows have been toasted over the fire, making the finish especially appealing for families.

A shelter or tent around the fire has been used during the activity, giving you some protection while the meal is prepared. Still, do not treat that shelter as a substitute for proper clothing. You will spend time outside before and after the cooking.

What the $167 price really covers

At $167 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Lapland. The price makes more sense if you value instruction, transport from Ivalo to the lake, safety support, equipment, and a cooked meal rather than just the fishing itself.

You are paying for several linked parts:

• Transport from the Ivalo meeting point to Rahajärvi
• A guide in Finnish, English, or French
• Instruction in three fishing methods
• Safety equipment
• Open-fire cooking
• Cooking equipment and tableware
• Food prepared from the catch

The meal is a useful part of the value. You do not need to buy lunch separately, though you should bring snacks and water because fishing times and appetites vary.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a quick taste of ice fishing or a short photo opportunity. This is a five-hour outing with a steady pace and some physical work. If you enjoy learning by doing, the cost is more reasonable.

Free pickup applies in Ivalo, but the listed price does not include getting to Eräsoppi. If you stay outside Ivalo, add the cost and planning time for a transfer. Contact the provider in advance for Saariselkä, Kiilopää, Inari, or Nellim.

Clothing, comfort, and changing winter conditions

Bring warm, windproof clothing. This is the most important practical advice for the day.

You will be standing or sitting near the ice, handling fishing equipment, and spending time around the fire. Cold hands and feet can quickly turn a pleasant activity into an uncomfortable one. The provider does not supply winter clothing, so arrange your own suitable layers before you arrive.

Bring a camera, snacks, and water. A camera is worthwhile for the frozen lake, fishing setup, fire, and meal, but keep it protected from snow and cold. Snacks are sensible even when lunch is included, especially for children.

Weather can change quickly in the North. The trip may feel calm and mild at the shop, then colder and windier on the open lake. Check the forecast, but prepare for conditions to shift rather than relying on a single temperature reading.

The activity requires a minimum of two participants. Dietary needs and allergies should be given when you book. This matters because the meal is part of the outing, and the food is prepared at the camp rather than chosen from a standard restaurant menu.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would recommend this for families who want a shared activity with a clear beginning, middle, and finish. Children can help with the fishing and enjoy marshmallows by the fire, while adults get a genuine introduction to local winter methods. Grandparents can join too, provided they are comfortable with the cold and the outdoor setting.

It also suits couples and small groups who prefer a quiet nature experience to a fast motorized excursion. The lake, the waiting, and the fire create a slower morning. You should enjoy simple practical tasks and not need constant entertainment.

First-time ice fishers are welcome because the guides demonstrate the methods. You do not need to arrive with fishing experience. The activity is still more rewarding if you are willing to work a little, wait patiently, and accept that nature does not promise a catch.

This is less suitable if you dislike cold weather, need a highly predictable schedule, or want a warm indoor meal with many choices. It may also be a poor fit for anyone expecting every participant to catch a fish. The guides can help, but fishing remains fishing.

Booking details that matter

The trip lasts about five hours. Meet at Eräsoppi no later than 9:45 for the 10:00 departure, with a return to the shop around 15:15.

Finnish, English, and French are available. The minimum operating number is two participants, so check availability for your chosen date.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you some flexibility while your Lapland plans are still taking shape.

When booking, provide allergies or dietary requirements. Also confirm pickup if you are staying outside Ivalo. These small checks prevent the most common morning problems.

Should you book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking?

Book it if you want more than a scenic ride to a frozen lake. The strongest feature is the complete chain of activities: drill the ice, fish with a line, inspect the nets, cook the catch, and warm up beside the fire.

The outing earns its price through the guide support, equipment, meal, and access to traditional fishing methods. I especially like that the food is tied to the work of the morning, rather than being an unrelated lunch.

Skip it if you are poorly equipped for cold weather, have a tight afternoon schedule, or want guaranteed fishing success. For families, curious first-timers, and anyone who likes food with a sense of place, this is one of the more hands-on ways to spend a winter morning near Ivalo.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12 in Ivalo.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive by 9:45. The car ride to Rahajärvi starts at 10:00.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is about five hours, with an expected return to the shop around 15:15.

Is pickup available?

Complimentary pickup is available in Ivalo. For Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää, contact Xwander ahead of time to arrange a transfer.

What fishing methods will I learn?

You will learn ice drilling, called kairaaminen, ice fishing with a line, called pilkkiminen, and net fishing under the ice, called juomustus.

Is food included?

Yes. Open-fire food, cooking equipment, and tableware are included. You should still bring snacks and water.

What should I wear?

Bring warm and windproof clothing. Winter clothing is not included, and northern conditions can change quickly.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Finnish, English, and French.