Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

Traditional ice fishing in Lapland is more than sitting beside a hole with a short rod. At Rahajärvi, you learn how to drill through the ice, fish with a line, and check a net set below the frozen surface. The reward is fresh fish cooked over an open fire, with the forest and lake providing the setting.

I like the hands-on work and the meal that follows. You are not simply watching a demonstration, you are helping prepare the food. I also like the warm, social finish, with soup, bread, and marshmallows around the fire. The main drawback is the weather: five hours outside in northern winter demands proper clothing, and fish catches cannot be guaranteed.

Key points at a glance

• Three old-style fishing methods: Drill ice holes, try pilkkiminen ice fishing, and learn about juomustus, or net fishing under the ice.
• Your catch becomes lunch: Fish is cooked on an open fire, with reviews also noting salmon soup, bread, cream stew, and marshmallows.
• A full half-day outing: The trip runs about five hours, from the 10:00 departure to a return near 15:15.
• Good for mixed-age families: Guides demonstrate each step and help children take part, though young children still need warm clothing and supervision.
• Ivalo pickup is free: You meet at Eräsoppi, Xwander shop, on Ivalontie 12, with pickup available in Ivalo.
• A weather-sensitive activity: Warm, windproof clothing is essential, and winter conditions can shift quickly.

At Rahajärvi, fishing starts with the ice

The day begins at 10:00 at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12 in Ivalo. Arrive by 9:45 so the guides can sort out preparations before the short road transfer to Rahajärvi. The outing returns to the shop at about 15:15, giving you a useful half-day window for another activity later.

The ride matters because this is not a town-side demonstration. You head to a lake in the Ivalo area, where the frozen water and forest create the quiet setting for the day. I would treat the transfer as part of the practical rhythm of the trip, not as a sightseeing drive with a narrated route.

Once you reach the lake, the guides introduce the traditional methods used on winter waters in Lapland. The first job is kairaaminen, drilling a hole through the ice. This takes real effort, and one participant found the work challenging, especially when opening a hole for fishing.

That physical start is useful. It gives you a better sense of what winter fishing involves instead of presenting it as a quick photo opportunity. You work with the ice before you can fish beneath it, and the pace is slow enough for the guides to explain what you are doing.

Three ways to fish below frozen water

The activity covers three methods, each offering a different kind of experience.

With pilkkiminen, the traditional ice-fishing method, you lower a line through a hole in the ice and wait for a bite. It is a simple technique, but the quiet can make every small movement feel important. You may catch fish, but the trip is not built around a guaranteed haul. Think of the fishing as both a practical lesson and a patient outdoor activity.

The second part is checking or setting a net beneath the ice, known as juomustus. This shows a different approach to winter fishing. Instead of relying only on the line in front of you, you learn how fish can be caught below the ice with a net. The guides handle the instruction and help you understand the process.

The combination is one of the strongest parts of the outing. A basic ice-fishing trip might give you a rod and a hole. Here, you get a broader look at traditional Lappish winter fishing, from making the opening in the ice to checking what the net has collected.

The guides also demonstrate the techniques rather than leaving you to work them out alone. One family with children and grandparents found the explanations clear and the demonstrations helpful, especially when younger members needed assistance. That makes the activity easier for a mixed-age group, although everyone still needs to be ready for cold conditions and some manual work.

The catch becomes a meal over the fire

After the fishing, the focus shifts to cooking. Xwander provides the cooking equipment, tableware, and food prepared over the open fire. You help turn the catch into a meal, so the connection between fishing and eating is clear from start to finish.

The exact meal can vary with the catch and the preparation chosen. Fish has been cooked over the fire, and the food described from the activity includes salmon soup, bread, fish cream stew, and marshmallows. You may also get to try different ways of cooking fish rather than eating it in only one preparation.

This part gives the excursion its value. At $167 per person, you are paying for a five-hour guided outing, transport from Ivalo, instruction in several fishing methods, safety equipment, cooking gear, and an open-fire meal. That is more than the price of a short ice-fishing lesson, but it also offers a full activity with food and cultural context.

The fresh catch is a small but meaningful detail. Northern waters are cold and clear, and the fish is prepared soon after it is taken from the lake. If you enjoy food with a clear sense of place, this is more memorable than a standard packed lunch.

The open fire also solves a practical problem. You are outside in winter for several hours, so the warm cooking area gives the group a place to gather and recover from the cold. One participant specifically described ending the day in a warm tent by the fire. That warmth is not just a pleasant extra, it helps make the long outdoor session manageable.

A quiet forest setting with a social finish

Rahajärvi is not presented as a busy attraction with a long list of staged activities. The appeal is the stillness of the frozen lake, the work of fishing, and the simple routine of gathering around a fire. You spend much of the day listening to the guides, working with the ice, and waiting for the fishing to produce something.

The quiet can be a real strength if you want a break from faster Lapland activities. There is no need to rush from one stop to another. You have time to focus on the hole, the line, the net, and the meal.

At the same time, I would not book this expecting constant action. Ice fishing includes waiting, and a half-day outdoors may feel long if you dislike cold weather or slow activities. The open-fire cooking gives the day a second focus, but the fishing itself remains weather-dependent and catch-dependent.

The group atmosphere helps. Families can fish together, take part in the preparation, and share food afterward. Marshmallows add a simple finish that works well for children, while the traditional methods and cooking process give adults something more substantial than a quick winter photo stop.

What the guides add to the day

Guiding matters here because ice fishing is not self-explanatory. You need to know how to drill the holes, where to place the line, and how the net fishing works. The guides explain the process and show you what to do before you try it.

Xwander Nordic offers the activity in Finnish, English, and French. That is useful for a mixed-language group, especially during safety instructions and practical demonstrations. A guide named Julian was thanked directly after one session, particularly for helping with the fishing and cooking.

You should still tell the operator about dietary requirements or allergies when booking. The meal is part of the outing, so this information matters more here than it would on an ordinary nature walk. The provided details do not promise a specific alternative menu, so give the guides notice rather than waiting until the fire is lit.

Safety equipment is included. Winter clothing is not, and that distinction is important. You need warm, windproof layers, suitable footwear, gloves, and head protection. The operator warns that winter conditions can change quickly, so do not judge your clothing by the weather at breakfast alone.

Family suitability and physical effort

This outing can work well for families because the guides offer demonstrations and practical help. A group with young children and grandparents found that everyone could take part, including fishing with a line, checking the nets, and gathering around the fire.

Still, it is not a passive family excursion. Drilling through ice requires effort, and the group spends several hours in winter conditions. Children may enjoy the novelty at first, then need warmth, food, and regular help to stay comfortable.

The same applies to older adults. The fire and tent provide a warm gathering point, but the activity still involves moving around a frozen lake and taking part in fishing tasks. If someone in your group has limited mobility, ask Xwander about the conditions before booking, since the supplied details do not describe the terrain or accessibility.

For adults, the physical demand is moderate but real. You do not need advanced fishing skills, and the guides teach the techniques, yet you should be comfortable standing outdoors and handling the equipment.

Getting there and planning the timing

The free pickup service covers Ivalo. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, contact Xwander before booking to arrange a transfer. The ride from those places is not included automatically, so check the cost and timing in advance.

Your meeting point is Eräsoppi, Xwander shop, at Ivalontie 12. Be there by 9:45 for a 10:00 departure. The return is scheduled for around 15:15, though winter road and activity conditions can affect the exact timing.

This schedule works well for a half-day plan. You could leave the afternoon free for rest or another booking, but I would not stack a tight appointment immediately afterward. The weather, transfer, and time needed around the fire make a little flexibility sensible.

You need to bring warm clothing, a camera, snacks, and water. Snacks are worth packing even with the included meal, since you may spend time fishing before the food is ready. The camera is also useful, but keep it protected from cold and snow.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are helpful when your Lapland plans depend on weather and changing schedules.

Is $167 good value?

At $167, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Lapland. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: five hours of guiding, transport from Ivalo to Rahajärvi and back, fishing instruction, safety equipment, cooking equipment, tableware, and an open-fire meal.

You also get three related activities rather than one. Drilling, line fishing, and net fishing each show a different part of the tradition. The meal then gives the day a clear payoff.

The value is strongest for people who want participation rather than spectacle. If you only want to sit beside a frozen lake for a few minutes, the cost will feel high. If you want to learn, work with the ice, eat what has been prepared, and spend time around a fire, the price is easier to justify.

The group size is not stated, and the trip runs with a minimum of two participants. That means solo booking may require another participant before the tour operates. Check availability when choosing your date.

Who should book this fishing trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a slower, hands-on day in Finnish Lapland. It suits families, couples, and small groups who enjoy food, simple outdoor work, and traditional skills.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen the more familiar winter activities and want something tied to local life. Fishing under the ice and cooking the catch give you a stronger sense of how people use northern waters in winter.

I would think twice if you dislike cold, waiting, or unpredictable results. You may catch fish, but no fishing trip can promise that. You should also avoid booking without proper winter clothing, since the activity takes place outside and conditions can change quickly.

Should you book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking?

Book it if you want a genuine half-day activity built around doing, not just watching. The mix of ice drilling, line fishing, net fishing, and open-fire cooking gives you plenty to take part in, while the warm meal and fire keep the outing from feeling like a long wait on the ice.

For families, the demonstrations and guide support are useful. For food lovers, cooking the catch is the best reason to choose this trip. For anyone who wants guaranteed action or a fully heated experience, choose something else.

The practical call is simple: bring serious winter clothing, arrive early at the Ivalo meeting point, and tell Xwander about allergies or dietary needs. If you are comfortable with the cold and like the idea of earning your lunch, this is one of the more distinctive ways to spend a winter day near Ivalo.

FAQ

Where does the ice-fishing activity take place?

The trip takes place at Rahajärvi, near Ivalo, Finland.

Where do I meet the guides?

You meet at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12 in Ivalo.

What time does the activity start?

The car transfer leaves at 10:00. You should arrive at the shop by 9:45 for preparations.

When does the activity finish?

The total outing lasts about five hours, with a planned return to the shop at around 15:15.

Is pickup included?

Complimentary pickup is available in Ivalo. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, contact Xwander ahead of time to arrange a transfer.

What fishing methods will I learn?

You will learn about drilling holes through the ice, line fishing known as pilkkiminen, and net fishing under the ice known as juomustus.

Is food included?

Yes. Open-fire food, cooking equipment, and tableware are included. The catch may be cooked over the fire, and the meal can include items such as fish soup, bread, cream stew, or marshmallows.

Do I need to bring winter clothing?

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

What languages are available?

The guides offer the activity in Finnish, English, and French.

What happens if I need to cancel?

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