Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

The best part of this Lapland outing is the hands-on work. You drill through thick lake ice, check submerged nets for perch, pike, white fish, or burbot, then help turn the catch into a hot meal inside a Lappish tipi tent. I especially like the small group of no more than eight and the practical mix of fishing, local food, and time outdoors.

I also like that transfers from Ivalo, fishing gear, food, and drinks are included, so you do not need to organize much. The main drawback is the long winter day: you arrive around 9:45 AM and may not return until 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Optional tent sauna and ice swimming cost extra, and transfers from several nearby resorts are also supplementary.

Key points at a glance

• Ice fishing through thick lake ice: Learn how to drill holes and fish in a traditional Lapland setting.
• Check real submerged nets: You may find white fish, pike, perch, or burbot, though catches are not guaranteed.
• Cook inside a Lappish tipi tent: The catch becomes fresh fish soup, with dessert cooked over the open fire.
• Small groups make a difference: The maximum group size is eight, allowing more time with your guide.
• Guides bring local skills: Sonja, Juhanni, Ossi, and Jennifer are among the guides associated with this program.
• Optional sauna or ice swimming: Add a bracing finish if you want more than fishing and lunch.

Drilling into Lake Inari ice

This is not a sightseeing trip where you simply watch someone else fish. You take part from the beginning, starting with the hard, practical task of drilling through the frozen surface of Lake Inari.

The ice fishing session gives you a feel for how people use a winter lake rather than treating it as scenery. Your guide explains the fishing methods, provides the equipment, and helps you work safely on the ice. The activity has a simple rhythm: make a hole, fish, wait, talk, and enjoy the quiet.

That quiet is part of the appeal. Lapland is known for broad open spaces and cold-weather conditions, and sitting on a frozen lake gives you a direct sense of the season. Bring patience. Fishing is still fishing, and no guide can promise a full net every time.

The trip also includes checking submerged nets. This adds variety and gives you a closer look at the fish found in the area. White fish, pike, perch, and burbot may turn up. You are not only holding a rod and hoping for luck. You are learning how fish are caught under the ice and seeing what the lake provides.

One useful point is that the net check may not go perfectly. On one outing, the net became stuck in the ice, and Juhanni had to work through several attempts before the group brought up three fish from the damaged net. That is worth keeping in mind. The activity has a real outdoor character, including occasional problems that need solving.

Meeting the guides on the ice

The guide can shape the whole day, especially in a small group. Sonja has led this outing, and Juhanni has handled both the fishing and cooking side of the trip. Ossi and Jennifer have also guided activities in the Ivalo and Inari area.

The most useful quality here is range. The guides do more than point out a fishing hole. They handle equipment, explain local fishing, prepare food, navigate the area, and share information about Sami culture. Juhanni has also been praised for cooking, while Sonja has been described as patient and well organized.

You should expect an active guide-led day rather than a formal classroom lesson. The exact amount of discussion may depend on your guide and group, but the format leaves room for questions. If you are curious about the local way of life, ask directly. This is one of the better settings for that conversation, since fishing, food, winter travel, and Sami culture connect naturally here.

The eight-person maximum matters. A large group could make ice fishing feel slow and impersonal. With fewer people, you have a better chance of getting help with the equipment and hearing explanations without fighting through a crowd.

From fresh catch to fish soup

After the fishing, the trip moves from the lake to food preparation. You help prepare the catch and then cook it over an open fire in a Lappish tipi tent.

That meal is a major reason to choose this outing. Cold-weather activities can be fun, but a warm bowl of soup makes the day more comfortable and gives the fishing a clear purpose. The fish is not just an object to photograph. It becomes lunch.

The fish soup has been singled out as a favorite part of the day, along with dessert prepared over the fire. This is simple cooking, but it fits the setting. You get the smell of smoke, the warmth of the fire, and a meal tied to the place where the fish was caught.

Food and drinks are included in the price. That is important because a five-hour winter activity can leave you hungry, and buying a separate meal afterward would add to the cost. The menu is centered on the catch and may depend on what is available, so you should not book this expecting a broad restaurant-style selection.

The Lappish tipi tent also gives the meal a sense of shelter and occasion. It is not a polished dining room, and that is the point. Expect a rustic meal in a practical outdoor setting.

Ivalo, Lake Inari, and the day’s rhythm

The activity starts at Xwander Nordic on Ivalontie 12, in the Ivalo and Inari area. The stated start time is 10:00 AM, and you should arrive by 9:45 AM so there is time to get ready.

Transfers from Ivalo and back are included. This makes the trip easier if you are staying in Ivalo and do not want to arrange winter transport yourself. Pick-up from accommodation has also been provided on this program.

The location details need a little attention when booking. Supplementary transfers may apply from Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, and Saariselkä. If you are staying outside Ivalo, check the transfer cost before paying. A tour that looks like a simple half-day outing can become less good value if your accommodation is farther away and the transfer supplement is high.

The listed stops are Ivalo and Lake Inari. Ivalo functions as the practical base, while the lake provides the setting for the main activity. Do not expect a series of many attractions or a packed sightseeing schedule. Most of your time is built around the ice, the nets, the fish, and the fire.

The return is expected between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. Weather, fishing conditions, and the day’s pace can affect the finish, so avoid booking a tight afternoon connection. Give yourself room after the tour.

What to wear and what is supplied

Xwander Nordic supplies overalls and boots for the Arctic outing. Fishing equipment is also included. That removes much of the worry about specialist winter clothing and gear.

You still need to arrive ready for a cold day outdoors. The supplied clothing helps, but you will spend several hours in winter conditions, first on or near the ice and then around the fire. Wear suitable layers underneath the overalls and bring any personal winter items you normally rely on.

The fire and soup provide warmth later in the day, but do not count on lunch to solve the cold. If your hands and feet cool quickly, pay close attention to gloves and socks. The supplied boots and overalls are practical, yet personal comfort varies.

The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but ice fishing requires being outside and taking part in basic physical activity such as walking on the ice and handling fishing equipment.

Is the $188.09 price fair?

At $188.09 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. It becomes easier to justify when you count what is included: guide service, fishing equipment, food, drinks, and transfers from Ivalo.

You are paying for about five hours, not just a short ice fishing demonstration. The day combines transport, instruction, fishing, net checking, fish preparation, cooking, and a meal. The small group limit also adds value because your guide can spend more time with each person.

The price works best for you if you want one substantial Lapland activity that combines nature and food. It is less attractive if you only want to try ice fishing for an hour or if you are mainly looking for scenic photographs.

The optional extras affect the final cost. Tent sauna and ice swimming are not included, and neither are supplementary transfers from Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, or Saariselkä. Ask about those charges before booking so the total does not surprise you.

I would also compare the cost with separate snow activities in the area. This outing has the advantage of being a complete day with lunch included. Its value comes from the combination, not from any one feature alone.

The optional sauna and ice swim

You can finish with a tent sauna or ice swimming for an additional charge. These are optional, so you can enjoy the fishing and meal without committing to the more intense finale.

The sauna suits you if you want a traditional-feeling warm-up after time outdoors. Ice swimming is a different proposition. It is an unforgettable finish for some people, but it is not necessary to get the main value from the trip.

Because the extras cost more, decide in advance how adventurous you want the day to be. If you are traveling with children or with people who have different comfort levels, the optional format helps. Some can finish after the meal while others add the sauna or swim.

The provided details do not specify the exact sauna or swimming arrangements, so ask Xwander Nordic about current conditions, prices, and what equipment is supplied before adding them.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this for anyone who wants an active, local-feeling winter day rather than a quick photo stop. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like food, outdoor work, and a bit of uncertainty.

Families can benefit from the variety. Children may enjoy drilling the ice, checking the nets, and watching the soup cook, though adults should decide whether their children are comfortable spending several hours outdoors. A previous family outing was especially successful because the children were happy on the ice.

This is also a good match for people interested in Sami culture and northern food traditions. The guides can connect the activity to local ways of living, and the meal gives you something more memorable than a standard packed lunch.

I would think twice if you dislike cold weather, have limited ability to walk on ice, or need a fixed return time. The tour requires good weather, and a weather cancellation can lead to a new date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, so the provider may offer another date or activity if that minimum is not reached.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is provided at booking. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.

The cut-off follows local time in Finland. That matters if you are arranging the tour from another country.

The provider also allows free cancellation when poor weather forces a cancellation, with the choice of another date or a full refund. The same type of choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

The meeting point is also the ending point. Since the trip can finish as late as 4:00 PM, leave extra time afterward for transport, dinner, or another booking.

Should you book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking?

Book it if you want to do more than pose beside a frozen lake. You will drill the ice, handle fishing equipment, inspect nets, learn about local fish, and eat soup made from the day’s work. That full sequence gives the outing its value.

The strongest reasons to go are the small group, included equipment and meal, skilled guides such as Sonja and Juhanni, and the chance to spend real time on Lake Inari. The main cautions are the price, possible transfer supplements, cold conditions, and the fact that fishing success is never guaranteed.

For a first Lapland visit, this is a strong choice if your schedule allows five hours and you want a practical connection to the region. Add the sauna or ice swim only if you want a more demanding finish. Otherwise, the ice, the fire, and the fish soup already make a complete day.

FAQ

Where does the Arctic fishing tour start?

The tour starts at Xwander Nordic, Ivalontie 12, 99800 Inari, Finland. You should arrive by 9:45 AM for the 10:00 AM start.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts about five hours. The expected return is between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.

Are transfers included?

Transfers from Ivalo and back to the meeting point are included. Supplementary transfers may apply from Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, and Saariselkä.

What is included in the price?

The price includes guide services, fishing equipment, food, drinks, and transfers from Ivalo. Tent sauna and ice swimming are optional extras and are not included.

What fish might be found?

The submerged nets may contain white fish, pike, perch, or burbot. The activity does not guarantee a particular catch.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather or the minimum number of participants causes the provider to cancel, you will be offered another date or activity, or a full refund.