Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

At Rahajärvi, you do more than sit beside a hole in the ice. You learn three old Lappish methods: kairaaminen, drilling through the ice, pilkkiminen, fishing with a line, and juomustus, checking a net set below the ice. Then the lake provides lunch.

I like the hands-on rhythm, especially the shift from hard work on the ice to a warm meal by the fire. I also like that the fish is cooked during the outing, with guests helping to turn a cold-weather activity into a proper meal. The main drawback is the weather: five hours outside in northern winter demands serious clothing, and winter conditions can change fast.

Key points to know before you book

• Three traditional fishing methods: You learn ice drilling, line fishing, and net fishing under the ice.
• Fresh fish cooked outdoors: Your catch may become part of a warm meal cooked over an open fire.
• A 9:45 arrival in Ivalo: Meet at Eräsoppi, Xwander shop, at Ivalontie 12 before the 10:00 departure.
• A family-friendly format: Guides demonstrate each task and help children take part, though cold weather can be tiring for young ones.
• French, Finnish, and English guides: The activity can suit mixed-language groups.
• Bring your own winter clothing: Safety equipment and cooking supplies are included, but insulated clothing is not.

Why this Ivalo fishing trip feels different

Many winter activities in Lapland put you behind a guide or inside a vehicle. This one asks you to work with your hands. You turn a drill through thick ice, lower a fishing line, check a net, gather around a fire, and eat food connected to the place you have just visited.

That gives the trip a useful sense of purpose. The lake is not just a pretty setting for photographs. It is the source of the meal, the reason for the outing, and the classroom for learning old fishing techniques.

The trip runs for about five hours, from a 10:00 departure to a return around 15:15. That timing works well in the short northern winter day. You get several hours at Rahajärvi without committing a full day to an outdoor activity. Still, this is not a quick stop. The pace includes travel, preparation, fishing, cooking, and eating, so you should expect periods of waiting and steady cold.

The activity is priced at $167 per person. That is not a cheap lunch outing, but the price covers a guide-led lake trip, transport from the Ivalo meeting point to Rahajärvi, instruction in several fishing methods, open-fire food, cooking equipment, tableware, and safety equipment. I see the value most clearly if you want an active cultural experience rather than a simple sightseeing ride.

Meeting at Eräsoppi and driving to Rahajärvi

Your day begins at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12. Be there by 9:45, even though the stated departure is 10:00. That extra time allows for preparations and helps the group leave on schedule.

A complimentary pickup is available within Ivalo. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, contact Xwander ahead of time about a transfer. Transport to the meeting place is not included, so check this before booking if your accommodation is outside Ivalo.

The exact size of the group is not stated. The trip operates with at least two participants, which means a solo booking may depend on another person joining. That minimum is worth checking if you are traveling alone or visiting at a quiet time of year.

The drive to the lake is part of the practical setup rather than a sightseeing stop. Once you arrive, the guide organizes the equipment and explains how the fishing will work. You do not need to bring cooking gear or tableware, but you do need to arrive dressed for a long winter outing.

Drilling through the ice by hand

The first task is kairaaminen, drilling holes through the ice. This is a simple phrase for a physical job. You use an ice auger to make openings in the frozen lake, and the work can take effort, especially if you have never handled one before.

That effort is part of the appeal. You are not simply handed a fishing hole. You help create the place where you will fish. The activity also gives you a clearer sense of the ice itself, including why safety instructions matter and why conditions can vary from one winter day to the next.

The guide demonstrates the technique and helps the group use the equipment. A Japanese participant described struggling with the ice drilling before enjoying the fishing, so you should not expect this part to feel effortless. It is best treated as a shared task, not a test of strength.

The cold also becomes more noticeable when you are standing still between attempts. Wear warm, windproof layers and protect your hands well. The company supplies safety equipment, but winter clothing is your responsibility.

Learning pilkkiminen, the classic line-fishing method

Once holes are ready, you try pilkkiminen, ice fishing with a line. This is the quietest portion of the trip. You lower the line through the ice and wait, with the white lake around you and the forest nearby.

The stillness is valuable, but it may not suit anyone looking for constant action. Fish are not guaranteed, and the success of the outing does not depend only on how many fish you catch. The guides also teach the method and explain how the catch fits into the meal.

The activity is suitable for families because the guides demonstrate what to do and offer help. A family group with young children and grandparents found that everyone could take part, with the staff giving extra support to the children. That does not remove the need for patience, warm clothing, and realistic expectations. Children may enjoy the drilling and cooking more than the quiet wait with a fishing line.

If you catch a fish, it adds a satisfying link between the morning’s work and the food later in the day. If you do not, you still take part in the technique and the rest of the program. The clear northern water is known for good-tasting fish, but the activity does not promise a particular species or catch.

Checking the net under the frozen lake

The third method is juomustus, net fishing under the ice. This gives the outing a different feel from ordinary rod fishing. The net is already part of a larger method that requires the guide to show you how it is checked and handled safely.

You may find this the most distinctive part of the trip because it connects your visit to traditional subsistence fishing rather than a modern recreational pastime. The guide leads the process, and the group helps inspect what has been caught.

A net can produce fish even when line fishing is slow, but nothing in the activity promises a guaranteed catch. The meal depends on what is available and what the guides can prepare. That uncertainty is worth accepting before you book. You are joining a real fishing activity, not ordering a fixed dish from a restaurant.

The reward comes when the catch is taken to the cooking area. You have seen the method, handled the gear, and helped with the process before the food reaches the table.

From frozen lake to open-fire cooking

After fishing, the group moves to the cooking part of the experience. Xwander provides the equipment and tableware, while the guides prepare the fire and show different ways to cook fish over it.

This is where the trip becomes especially social. The cold outdoor work has a clear payoff: you gather around warmth, eat food connected to the lake, and have time to talk. A salmon soup, bread with fish in a creamy stew, and marshmallows have all been part of the meal experience described for this activity. The exact menu can vary, since it depends on the catch and the day’s preparation.

You may help with parts of the cooking, but the supplied details do not promise that every guest prepares every dish. Expect the guides to handle the cooking process while explaining what is happening and involving the group where practical.

The open fire is also a useful break from the cold. Even with a warm shelter or fire area, you should not assume you can dress lightly. The cooking portion takes place outdoors, and winter temperatures can shift quickly.

Tell Xwander about dietary needs and allergies when you book. This matters because fish and other ingredients are central to the meal, and advance notice gives the team a chance to discuss what can be served.

A warm pause with soup, bread, and marshmallows

The food is not an afterthought. It is the reason the fishing methods matter. Eating fish from the same northern waters gives the outing a strong sense of place, even if the meal itself is simple.

The warm dishes are particularly welcome after time on the ice. Salmon soup and fish in a creamy stew with bread have been served, followed by marshmallows roasted over the fire. The marshmallows add an easy, familiar finish, especially for children and anyone who is less interested in the fishing technique.

I would treat the food as part of the experience rather than a guaranteed restaurant-style meal. The catch, ingredients, and cooking method may vary. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, share them at booking rather than waiting until the fire is lit.

Bring water and snacks as advised. The outing includes open-fire food, but the information does not promise a full meal that will suit every appetite or dietary preference.

The guides and the pace of the day

Guides speak Finnish, English, and French. That makes the activity practical for international groups, and the demonstrations help when a fishing term or instruction is unfamiliar.

Julian is one guide associated with the trip, and the teaching style is hands-on. The instruction covers how to fish, how to work with the ice, and how the nets are used. You should expect the guides to explain and demonstrate rather than simply point out equipment.

The pace is steady, not rushed. You have time to try the techniques, wait for fish, check the nets, cook, and sit by the fire. That is good for families and for anyone who wants a calm day in nature. It may feel slow if your ideal Lapland activity is packed with movement from start to finish.

The minimum of two participants helps keep the activity viable, but the exact group size is not given. If you prefer a private outing, ask Xwander before booking rather than assuming the trip is private.

What to wear and carry to Rahajärvi

Winter clothing is not included. This is the most important practical point. Wear warm, windproof layers, insulated boots, gloves, a hat, and clothing that lets you stay comfortable while standing on ice for long periods.

The company supplies safety equipment, cooking equipment, and tableware. You do not need to carry plates, cups, or utensils. You should bring:

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

Conditions in the North can change quickly. A sunny start does not guarantee a mild afternoon, and still fishing can make you feel colder than active walking. Dress for the full five hours, not only the drive from Ivalo.

A camera is worthwhile because the outing combines unusual details: the auger, the fishing holes, the net work, and the fire. Keep it protected from snow and cold, and do not let photography distract you from the guide’s safety instructions.

Who will get the most from this $167 experience

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a practical connection with Lapland rather than a quick photo stop. It suits adults who enjoy learning by doing, families willing to manage cold weather, and anyone curious about older fishing traditions.

The experience is also a good fit for mixed-age groups. Grandparents can take part around the fire and in the fishing process, while children may enjoy drilling, checking the nets, and roasting marshmallows. Still, the five-hour length and winter exposure mean you should think carefully about a young child’s tolerance for cold and waiting.

You may want to choose another activity if you dislike outdoor cooking, cannot manage a long period in cold conditions, or need a guaranteed menu. Fishing always carries some uncertainty, and this trip is built around that uncertainty.

At $167, the value depends on how much you want the full chain of experiences. You are paying for instruction, transport from Ivalo, several traditional methods, food preparation, and time by the fire. If you only want to try ice fishing for a short while, the price may feel high. If you want a half-day activity with food and cultural context, it is easier to justify.

Booking details worth checking

The trip lasts about five hours. Meet at 9:45, depart at 10:00, and expect to return to the Xwander shop around 15:15.

The activity runs with at least two participants. Pickup in Ivalo is complimentary. Transfers from Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää must be arranged ahead of time and may affect your planning.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is available, which helps if your winter schedule is still changing.

Should you book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking?

Book it if you want to learn, work, eat, and spend a quiet winter day beside a Finnish lake. The strongest parts are the three fishing methods, the fresh catch cooked over the fire, and the warm social pause with soup, bread, and marshmallows.

Think twice if you want guaranteed fish, a short activity, or a fully supplied wardrobe. Bring serious winter clothing, tell the company about dietary needs, and arrive early at Ivalontie 12.

For a hands-on Lapland experience with a clear connection between tradition and food, this is a strong choice. Its best moments come not from speed or spectacle, but from turning a hole in the ice into lunch.

FAQ

Where does the activity take place?

The fishing takes place at Rahajärvi near Ivalo, Finland.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12 in Ivalo.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive by 9:45 for preparations. The car ride to the lake begins at 10:00.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is about five hours. Return to the shop is scheduled for around 15:15.

Which fishing methods are included?

You learn ice drilling, ice fishing with a line, and net fishing under the ice.

Is food included?

Yes. Open-fire food is included, along with cooking equipment and tableware. The catch may be prepared as part of the meal.

Is winter clothing provided?

No. You need to bring your own warm and windproof winter clothing.

Is pickup available?

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

What languages do the guides speak?

The guides speak Finnish, English, and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.