Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

Rahajärvi turns a frozen lake into your kitchen for the day. You learn old Lappish fishing methods, drill through the ice, fish with a small line, check a net under the ice, then cook what comes from the water. The fresh fish and outdoor meal are the heart of this outing.

I like the hands-on pace, especially the mix of ice fishing and net fishing. I also like the warm campfire break, where the group cooks together and may finish with marshmallows. The main drawback is simple: winter conditions can be harsh, and $167 is a serious price if you want only a quick taste of ice fishing.

Key points at a glance

• Rahajärvi, near Ivalo: Leave the Xwander shop at 10:00 and return around 15:15.
• Three traditional methods: Drill holes, try line fishing, and check a net set beneath the ice.
• Your catch becomes lunch: Fish is cooked over an open fire, with cooking equipment and tableware supplied.
• Warmth matters: Bring proper windproof winter clothing. Winter clothing is not included.
• Good for mixed-age families: Guides demonstrate each step and help children with the equipment.
• Small-group requirement: The trip runs with at least two participants, and pickup is free in Ivalo.

From Ivalontie 12 to a frozen lake

Your morning starts at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12 in Ivalo. The departure time is 10:00, but arrive by 9:45. That extra quarter-hour is used for preparations, so arriving late could create a needless rush.

The drive to Rahajärvi is part of the change in mood. You leave the shop behind and head toward a quieter winter setting, where the main activity is not sightseeing from a vehicle but working with the ice and water. The total outing lasts about five hours, with a return to the shop around 15:15.

A free pickup is available in Ivalo. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, contact Xwander ahead of time about a transfer. That matters when you are building a day around the activity, since transport from those areas is not automatically included.

The trip requires at least two participants. That makes it a poor choice for someone hoping to book a completely private solo outing, but it also means you do not need to assemble a large party before booking.

Drilling through the ice at Rahajärvi

The first real task is kairaaminen, the traditional work of drilling a hole through the lake ice. This is not a decorative photo stop. You take part in preparing the fishing spot, using the ice auger under the guide’s direction.

For many people, this is the most memorable part of the morning. The frozen lake can look still and simple, but the work reminds you that winter fishing depends on practical skills. You are not merely handed a rod beside a ready-made hole. You help make access to the water.

The effort can be tiring, especially if you are not used to cold-weather activity. One person described having trouble drilling the holes, so do not assume this will be effortless. The guides demonstrate the method and help as needed, but warm gloves and sensible layers remain your responsibility.

This is also where the weather matters most. Conditions in Finnish Lapland can change quickly, and wind can make a calm day feel much colder. Wear warm, windproof clothing, not just a stylish winter coat. The operator provides safety equipment, but winter clothing is excluded.

Trying pilkkiminen, the quiet art of ice fishing

Once the holes are ready, you try pilkkiminen, ice fishing with a line. The technique is quiet and patient. You sit or stand by the opening in the ice, follow the guide’s instructions, and wait for movement below.

Do not book this expecting a guaranteed pile of fish. Fishing is fishing, and the catch can vary. The value comes from learning the method and taking part in the full chain of events, from making the hole to preparing food later.

The guides are used to explaining the process clearly. A family group with young children and grandparents found the demonstrations and hands-on help useful, especially for the children. That makes this a stronger family choice than an activity that expects everyone to manage fishing gear alone.

The pace should suit people who enjoy simple outdoor tasks. If you need constant action, the quiet waiting may feel slow. If you like the idea of hearing the lake, watching the line, and working with a traditional method, this part gives the trip its calm character.

Checking the net beneath the ice

The most unusual part is juomustus, net fishing under the ice. This is different from holding a line at one hole. The guide shows you how the net is placed and checked beneath the frozen surface.

You may help inspect the net and see fish caught by a method that has been used in northern waters for generations. It adds a practical layer to the outing, since you are learning more than one way to fish the lake.

Net fishing also helps keep the day varied. You move from drilling, to patient line fishing, to a group task around the net. The combination makes the $167 price easier to understand than a short ice-fishing lesson with no meal or transport to the lake.

Still, the catch is not something the operator can promise. Your lunch depends on what is available in the cold, clear water. That uncertainty is part of the fishing experience, but it is worth keeping in mind if your main goal is eating a large amount of fish.

From cold water to an open-fire meal

After fishing, the group makes a fire and prepares the catch. Xwander supplies cooking equipment and tableware, so you do not need to pack a camp kitchen. Open-fire food is included in the price.

This is where the outing shifts from instruction to shared activity. You have worked on the ice, and now the fish becomes part of lunch. The cooking is not separate entertainment added to a fishing trip. It gives the morning a clear purpose and lets you taste the result while it is still fresh.

Different meals can be prepared depending on the catch and the day. Reported examples include fish in a creamy stew with bread, salmon soup, and marshmallows toasted over the fire. You should not treat every one of these dishes as guaranteed, but they show the kind of meal the experience can include.

The guides cook and assist, while you get to watch, help, and eat. A fire shelter or tent may provide a warmer place to sit, which is especially welcome after time outside on the ice. The warm break was a major part of the appeal for families and groups who wanted an outdoor activity without spending the entire day exposed to the wind.

Tell Xwander about dietary requirements or allergies when booking. This is important because the meal is built around the day’s cooking plan, and the supplied equipment is intended for the group’s food.

What the $167 price buys you

At $167 per person, this is not a budget fishing lesson. You are paying for about five hours, transport from the Ivalo meeting point to the lake, a guide, safety equipment, fishing instruction, an open-fire meal, cooking equipment, and tableware.

The value is strongest if you want a full northern activity rather than a brief photo opportunity. You get three traditional fishing methods, time in a quiet natural setting, and food tied directly to the work you have done. The campfire also gives the outing a social side that a standard fishing session may lack.

The price is harder to justify if you already have winter clothing, transport, and outdoor cooking plans, and only want to try a few minutes of ice fishing. In that case, the five-hour schedule may feel longer than needed.

I would compare it with the cost of arranging transport to a lake, hiring equipment, finding a guide, and buying a meal separately. The activity is most useful when you want those pieces handled together, with instruction and safety support included.

The free Ivalo pickup improves the value if you are staying locally. For Saariselkä, Kiilopää, Inari, or Nellim, ask about transfer costs before booking so the final price is clear.

A good fit for families, beginners, and patient outdoor types

This outing suits beginners because the guide teaches the methods from the start. You do not need prior ice-fishing experience, and the demonstrations help make the equipment less intimidating.

Families can also make good use of the day. The activity has enough variety to keep children involved, and guides can assist with the fishing steps. Young children may still find the cold and drilling work demanding, so parents should bring snacks, water, and very warm clothing.

I would also recommend it to anyone interested in everyday northern traditions. The focus is not just on scenery. You learn how people work with frozen water, use nets beneath the ice, build a cooking fire, and turn a catch into food.

It may not suit you if you dislike cold, waiting, or uncertain results. The tour has a relaxed rhythm, and there is no promise that every person will catch a fish. The fire helps, but it does not remove the need to dress properly.

Guiding is available in Finnish, English, and French. If Julian is leading your outing, you can expect the kind of careful instruction and personal help noted in connection with his guiding. The operator also works with families and mixed-age groups, which is useful if your party has different comfort levels.

What to pack for five winter hours

Take the clothing advice seriously. You need warm, windproof layers for time beside and on the frozen lake. Winter clothing is not provided, so check your own rental or clothing arrangements before the morning of the trip.

Pack:

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

The snacks matter even though food is included. The trip lasts five hours, and the meal comes after the fishing work. Water is easy to forget in cold weather, but you still need it.

A camera is useful for the lake, the fishing holes, the net work, and the fire. Keep it protected from snow and cold, and do not let photography distract you from handling the equipment safely.

The activity includes safety equipment, but the provided information does not specify every item. Follow the guide’s instructions around the ice and keep personal gear under control near the fishing holes.

Timing, weather, and booking flexibility

The fixed morning schedule gives the outing a useful shape. You meet by 9:45, leave at 10:00, spend the middle of the day at Rahajärvi, and return around 15:15. That leaves the rest of your afternoon open for another Ivalo activity or a slower meal.

Weather is the main variable. Northern winter conditions can change quickly, so a forecast that looks mild in town may not tell the whole story at the lake. Windproof clothing is the safest choice, and you should avoid filling the same day with another activity that requires a strict departure immediately after 15:15.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you some flexibility while your Lapland plans take shape. Check the starting time and availability for your chosen date before booking.

Should you book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking?

I would book this tour if you want active participation, traditional methods, and a meal by the fire in one half-day outing. It is especially appealing for families, first-time ice fishers, and anyone who wants more than a quick look at a frozen lake.

I would skip it if you want guaranteed catches, dislike cold-weather waiting, or are trying to keep activity costs low. The $167 price makes sense when you value the guide, transport, equipment, cooking, and five-hour format as one package.

For the best chance of enjoying it, arrive early at Eräsoppi, bring serious winter clothing, mention allergies in advance, and think of the fish as part of the adventure rather than a guaranteed lunch portion. If that sounds right, Rahajärvi offers a quiet and genuinely hands-on way to spend a Lapland winter day.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?

The meeting point is Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12 in Ivalo. You should arrive by 9:45 for preparations before the 10:00 departure.

How long does the tour last?

The total duration is around five hours. The group leaves at 10:00 and returns to the shop around 15:15.

Is transport included?

Complimentary pickup is available in Ivalo. Transfers from Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää must be arranged ahead of time.

What fishing methods will I learn?

The activity includes drilling holes in the ice, line fishing known as pilkkiminen, and checking a fishing net beneath the ice.

Is food included?

Yes. Open-fire food, cooking equipment, and tableware are included. You should tell Xwander about dietary requirements or allergies when booking.

What languages do the guides speak?

Guiding is available in Finnish, English, and French.