Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

The lake becomes your kitchen. This five-hour Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking trip from Ivalo gives you a hands-on way to meet Lapland’s winter waters, not just view them from a heated vehicle. I like the mix of old fishing methods, from drilling the ice to checking nets, and I like that the catch becomes lunch beside a fire.

The price is $167 per person, which is fair when you count the guide, ride to Rahajärvi, fishing instruction, cooking equipment, tableware, safety gear, and food. The main drawback is simple: winter clothing is not included, and the day can feel long if you dislike cold, quiet outdoor activity or physical work with an ice auger.

At a Glance: What Makes This Day Special

• Three traditional fishing methods: You try ice-hole fishing, known locally as pilkkiminen, and learn how nets are placed and checked under the ice.
• A real outdoor lunch: Fish from the lake is cooked over an open fire, with dishes such as fish soup or creamy fish stew possible.
• A small-group feel: The trip runs with at least two participants, making it more personal than a large coach outing.
• A forest lake setting: Rahajärvi offers a peaceful break from resort activity and a close look at winter life in Finnish Lapland.
• Helpful family support: Guides have shown young children and older family members how to fish, handle the equipment, and enjoy the fire safely.
• A French-speaking option: Guides operate in Finnish, English, and French, and guide Julien has been praised for his patient help.

Leaving Ivalo at 10:00 for Rahajärvi

Your morning begins at the Eräsoppi and Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12. You should arrive by 9:45, not at the 10:00 departure time, because the guide needs those extra minutes for preparation.

From Ivalo, a complimentary pickup service is available. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, you need to contact Xwander ahead of time about a transfer. The ride to the lake is part of the outing, but transport to the meeting point is not included, so check your hotel location before booking.

The return is planned for about 15:15. That gives you a useful half-day activity without taking up your entire evening. You will still have time afterward for dinner, a sauna, or another Lapland activity, though you may want a warm drink first.

Rahajärvi is the setting for the day’s main work. Here, the appeal is not speed or spectacle. You are going to a quiet lake in winter, learning a method that has been used by people who needed the water for food rather than simply for recreation.

Learning Kairaaminen on the Frozen Lake

The first practical task is kairaaminen, drilling a hole through the ice. This is not a button-pressing activity. You help turn the ice auger, and the work can be tiring, especially in bulky winter clothes.

That physical effort is part of the point. Once the hole opens, you have a much clearer sense of the ice between you and the water below. The guides demonstrate the process and help you use the equipment, so you do not need previous fishing experience.

The quality of the instruction matters here. A family group with young children and grandparents found that the Xwander team explained the methods carefully and helped the children take part. That makes this a better choice for a mixed-age group than an activity built around speed, distance, or advanced outdoor skills.

You should still be ready to stand outside and work with your hands. If your idea of a winter holiday means staying warm at all times, this may not be your perfect morning. Bring warm, windproof clothing and expect the weather to change quickly.

Pilkkiminen: Waiting Over Your Own Ice Hole

Once the hole is ready, you try pilkkiminen, the Finnish form of ice fishing. The method is quiet and simple. You fish through the hole and wait, with the frozen lake and forest providing most of the scenery.

That quiet is one of the strongest parts of the trip. You are not being rushed from one photo stop to another. The guide can explain how the fishing works, demonstrate the technique, and help you understand what to do when the line is in the water.

You may catch fish, but no fishing trip can promise a result. The appeal remains even if the fish are shy, since you are also learning how the lake is used in winter. When a fish does come up, the moment feels earned because you made the hole and handled the line yourself.

Bring a camera, but keep it protected from the cold. Snacks and water are also recommended. The food later in the day is part of the activity, but you should not depend on it to cover every appetite during five hours outside.

Juomustus and the Nets Beneath the Ice

The unusual part of this outing is juomustus, net fishing under the ice. This gives you a look at a method that is different from holding a rod and waiting.

The guides show you how the nets are checked. In one successful family outing, the group caught fish with a line and then inspected the nets. That two-part approach helps you understand the difference between personal ice fishing and a broader traditional method used beneath the frozen surface.

This is also where a guide’s patience becomes valuable. The equipment and process can be unfamiliar, and the cold can make simple tasks feel awkward. You will get more from the activity if you ask questions and take your time rather than treating the net check as a quick stop.

The lake’s cold, clear water is presented as one reason the fish taste so good. You are not simply being served a prepared dish from a restaurant kitchen. If the conditions provide a catch, the food connects the fishing lesson to the meal that follows.

Cooking Fresh Fish Beside an Open Fire

After the fishing, the group prepares food near the fire. Xwander provides the cooking equipment and tableware, so you do not need to bring plates, pans, or utensils.

The cooking is not just a meal break. You try different ways of preparing fish over an open fire, and the guides handle the practical details while explaining what is happening. One reported meal included fish in a creamy stew with bread. Another included salmon soup and marshmallows cooked over the fire.

The exact menu may vary, so mention allergies and dietary requirements when you book. That is especially important here because fish is the central food, and the meal is prepared as part of the outdoor activity rather than selected from a broad restaurant menu.

I like this part because it gives the trip a clear purpose. The ice fishing, net work, fire building, and cooking are linked. You are not fishing for an hour and then heading somewhere else for lunch. The fish, when available, goes from the cold water to the cooking fire in the same setting.

A warm fire also changes the rhythm of the day. After working on the ice, you can sit down, eat, and thaw out. Some groups have enjoyed marshmallows at the end, a small touch that works especially well for children.

A Warm Tent and a Quiet Pause

The fire takes place beside the lake, with a tent providing shelter and warmth. This matters more than it may sound. Even good winter clothing can leave you wanting a warm place after time spent drilling ice and fishing.

The tent also gives the day a social center. You can share the food, watch the cooking, and talk with the guide and other people in the group. The setting remains outdoors, but it is not five straight hours of standing exposed to the weather.

Do not expect a polished restaurant or a long indoor lunch. The charm comes from the basic setup: fire, cookware, fish, bread, and a forest lake. If you prefer formal service, this may feel rough around the edges. If you want a meal tied to the place and the activity, it is a strong fit.

The fire is one of the most praised parts of the outing because it makes the day comfortable as well as memorable. It also gives young children something to look forward to after they have tried the fishing tasks.

What the $167 Price Really Covers

At $167 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Lapland. The value improves when you count what is bundled into the five-hour program:

• A guided ride from Ivalo to Rahajärvi
• Instruction in three traditional fishing methods
• Safety equipment
• Cooking equipment and tableware
• Food cooked over the open fire
• The guide’s help with drilling, fishing, net checking, and preparation

You are paying for access, equipment, instruction, and a meal, not just a seat beside a lake. That makes the cost easier to justify for someone who wants to learn a local winter practice rather than simply photograph snowy trees.

The price is less attractive if you already own winter fishing gear and want only independent time on the ice. It also does not include winter clothing or transport to the Eräsoppi meeting point. Those extra needs should be part of your budget.

The minimum of two participants helps avoid booking a completely private solo outing by accident. Group size beyond that is not specified, so you should ask Xwander if the size of your departure matters to you.

Clothing, Weather, and Physical Comfort

Take the clothing advice seriously. You need warm and windproof layers, and winter conditions in the North can change quickly.

A camera, snacks, and water are recommended. Wear footwear and gloves that let you work with equipment. Very thick gloves may keep your fingers warm but can make fishing and drilling harder, so you may need to balance warmth with dexterity.

The day includes physical work, time standing, and exposure to cold. You do not need fishing experience, since the guides demonstrate the methods, but you should be comfortable taking part rather than watching from the side.

This activity suits families particularly well because the guides can help children and older relatives. Still, the cold and ice work mean every member of your group should be prepared for an outdoor day. A child who dislikes waiting or cold hands may enjoy the fire and marshmallows more than the fishing itself.

The Guides and Languages

Xwander Nordic provides live guiding in Finnish, English, and French. That language range is useful for international groups, especially during a hands-on activity where a clear explanation matters.

The guides demonstrate the tasks and offer direct help. Guide Julien received special thanks after patiently helping with the ice holes, net fishing, and cooking. You can expect the guide to be involved throughout the day rather than simply driving you to the lake and leaving you to manage the equipment.

Good guiding is central to this outing. Drilling ice, handling a fishing line, checking a net, and cooking over an open fire all become easier when someone shows you the safe and correct way to do them.

The strongest benefit is that you learn by doing. The guides do not turn the morning into a lecture. You take part, make the holes, try the fishing, and help create the meal.

Who Should Book This Arctic Fishing Day?

I would choose this for you if you want a slower, hands-on Lapland activity with real local character. It suits families, couples, and small groups who enjoy food, nature, and learning a practical skill.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen reindeer, searched for the northern lights, or tried a snowmobile outing and want something less familiar. Ice fishing gives you a different view of the region, one tied to the frozen lake and traditional food.

You should think twice if you want constant action, guaranteed fish, or a warm indoor setting. The day depends on winter conditions, and fishing always includes waiting. The reward is the process, the fire, and the meal, not a promise of a large catch.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your weather plans are still shifting, though you still need to prepare properly for the conditions on the day.

Should You Book It?

Book this trip if you want to take part in Lapland rather than simply look at it. The combination of kairaaminen, pilkkiminen, juomustus, and open-fire cooking gives you a clear sense of how winter fishing works and why the lake matters.

The best reason to go is the complete chain from ice to meal. You drill the hole, try to catch fish, inspect the nets, warm yourself in the tent, and eat beside the fire. Just bring serious winter clothing, allow for a little waiting, and remember that nature decides how much fish reaches the pan.

FAQ

Where does the Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking trip take place?

The trip takes place at Rahajärvi near Ivalo in Finnish Lapland.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at the Eräsoppi and Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive by 9:45 for a 10:00 departure.

How long does the activity last?

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

Is pickup included?

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

What fishing methods are included?

You learn to drill holes in the ice, practice ice fishing, and check nets placed under the ice.

Is food included?

Yes. Open-fire food is included, along with cooking equipment and tableware.

Are winter clothes provided?

No. Winter clothing is not included, so you need to bring warm and windproof clothing.

What languages do the guides speak?

Guiding is available in Finnish, English, and French.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.