Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

The most memorable part of this Rahajärvi ice-fishing trip is that you do more than sit beside a hole in the ice. You drill through it, learn how Lappish fishers work, check nets set beneath the lake, and then cook the catch over an open fire.

I like the hands-on mix of old methods and simple food. I also like the unhurried lake setting, where fishing gives way to a warm fire, fish stew, bread, and toasted marshmallows. The main consideration is the weather: winter conditions can change fast, and the activity does not provide winter clothing.

Key points to know before you book

• Three traditional methods: Learn kairaaminen, pilkkiminen, and juomustus, covering ice drilling, line fishing, and net fishing under the ice.
• Your catch becomes lunch: Fish is cooked over an open fire, with equipment, tableware, and safety gear provided.
• A warm finish: The meal takes place around a fire, with a tent available for warmth during the cooking period.
• Five hours from Ivalo: Meet at Eräsoppi, Ivalontie 12, at 9:45 for a 10:00 departure and return around 15:15.
• Good for mixed-age families: Guides demonstrate each step and help children take part, though young children still need proper winter clothing.
• Bring your own insulation: Warm, windproof clothing is essential, and winter clothing is not included.

A traditional fishing day on Rahajärvi

This is a practical introduction to fishing in Finnish Lapland, not a sightseeing stop with a fishing rod added at the end. At Rahajärvi, the frozen lake becomes your work area. You help make the fishing holes, try fishing with a line, and see how nets are handled beneath the ice.

The three local methods give the outing its shape. Kairaaminen means drilling holes through the ice. It is physical work, and you should expect to put in some effort. A review from Japan specifically noted that drilling was hard, so do not treat this as a purely passive activity.

Pilkkiminen is ice fishing with a short line through the hole. Your guide shows you how it works, then gives you a chance to fish yourself. A catch is never something I would promise on a fishing trip, but the activity still has value if the fish are slow. You are learning a northern winter skill and taking part in a method used for generations.

The third method, juomustus, involves checking nets placed under the ice. This adds a useful contrast to line fishing. Instead of waiting at one hole, you see how a net can gather fish beneath the frozen surface. The guides handle the process with you and explain what is happening.

From Ivalo to the frozen lake

The day begins at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12. Be there by 9:45, even though the scheduled departure is 10:00. That early arrival gives the guides time to organize equipment and prepare the group before the drive to Rahajärvi.

A complimentary pickup is available within Ivalo. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, contact Xwander Nordic ahead of time about a transfer. The meeting point and transportation details matter here because the activity takes place away from the shop, and you should not assume a pickup from every nearby resort is included.

The full outing lasts about five hours. You return to the shop around 15:15, giving you most of the afternoon for another activity or a quiet evening. The daylight schedule can make this timing useful in winter, when the sun is low and the days are short.

What the fishing methods feel like

The activity works best if you enjoy learning by doing. You are not simply handed equipment and sent onto the ice. The guides explain the methods, demonstrate how they work, and help with the practical parts.

The family account from December 2025 is especially useful here. A group of six, including young children and grandparents, found that the guides gave clear demonstrations and helped the children. The group caught fish with a line and checked the nets afterward. That suggests the outing can work for several generations, as long as everyone is ready for cold weather and some physical activity.

The drilling is likely to be the most demanding step. Ice thickness and winter conditions can vary, so you should dress for a day outside rather than a short walk from a vehicle. The work gives you a better sense of the skill involved in traditional winter fishing. It also makes the meal feel earned.

Line fishing offers a quieter pause. You sit or stand by the hole and wait, with the frozen lake and forest around you. That silence is part of the appeal. This is not a fast-moving attraction, and you should choose it because you like calm outdoor time.

The nets add movement and curiosity. You do not know exactly what will be waiting beneath the ice, and the process gives the guide another way to explain local fishing. Even if your own line stays quiet, checking the nets keeps the day from relying on one catch.

Cooking fish over an open fire

After the fishing, the activity shifts from lake work to camp cooking. Xwander provides cooking equipment and tableware, so you do not need to bring plates or utensils. Food cooked over a fire has a direct connection to the place, especially when the fish has just come from the lake.

The exact meal can depend on the catch and the cooking plan. The supplied details describe fresh fish cooked in different styles over an open fire. One outing included fish in a creamy stew with bread, while another included salmon soup and marshmallows by the fire. You might also see the catch prepared in more than one way.

This is one of the strongest parts of the experience for me. The meal is not an unrelated snack served after an activity. It completes the fishing lesson. You see where the food comes from, help with the outdoor setting, and eat it while sitting beside the fire.

The fire is also a practical comfort. Winter fishing can leave you cold, particularly if you are standing still while waiting for a bite. A warm tent is used during the fire and meal period, and one German participant described the group as staying comfortably warm. Still, do not rely on the fire or tent as a substitute for proper clothing.

Marshmallows are a small but welcome extra, especially for children. They give the final part of the day an easy, social rhythm after the more focused fishing work. The food is simple, but that is the point. You are getting a northern outdoor meal rather than a restaurant lunch.

Guides, languages, and the feel of the group

Xwander Nordic offers the activity in Finnish, English, and French. That makes it accessible to a broad mix of visitors, but ask about the language you need when booking if it matters to your group.

One guide named in the feedback is Julian, who helped with the fishing and cooking. The guide team is expected to explain the techniques, demonstrate the equipment, and assist with the practical work around the ice and fire.

The activity requires at least two participants. That minimum matters if you are traveling alone or visiting during a quieter period. It is worth confirming availability before building your day around it.

The group size is not stated, so I would not assume a private outing. If you want a private experience, ask Xwander directly. The activity clearly suits family groups, and the example of six people with children and grandparents shows that mixed ages can take part. Older participants should still be comfortable spending time outdoors and dealing with icy conditions.

The real value of the $167 price

At $167 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Lapland. The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled into the five hours: transportation from the Ivalo meeting point to the lake, guiding, safety equipment, cooking equipment, tableware, the fire, and the meal.

You are also paying for access to methods you would not easily arrange on your own. Drilling safe fishing holes, handling nets under the ice, and cooking a catch in a winter setting require equipment and local know-how. The guide support is a large part of the value.

The price is strongest for someone who wants a single activity with several connected parts. You fish, learn, eat, and spend time outdoors without having to organize each piece separately. It is weaker value if you only want a quick ice-fishing photo or a guaranteed catch.

The catch is part of the uncertainty. Fishing is fishing. You may catch fish with the line, check fish from the nets, or have a slower result. The experience is built around the methods and the meal, but you should not book it solely for the promise of a large catch.

Clothing is the detail that can make or break the day

Winter clothing is not included. Take that seriously. You need warm, windproof clothing, and conditions can shift quickly in northern Finland.

Bring:

• Warm, windproof outer layers
• A camera
• Snacks
• Water

The food is included, but snacks and water are still sensible for a five-hour winter outing. The provided information does not list rental clothing, so contact Xwander if you are unsure what equipment you can obtain locally.

Cold affects comfort more than most first-time visitors expect. Your hands may be busy with fishing and drilling, while your feet remain on or near the ice. Dress for standing outside for long periods, not just for walking between a hotel and a vehicle.

The fire and warm tent help later in the day, but you should arrive ready for the coldest part, which may be the fishing itself. I would also pack a camera only if you can protect it from snow and cold. The lake, forest, ice holes, fishing gear, and fire offer plenty of photo subjects.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a slower, more grounded Lapland activity. It is a good fit for people curious about local food, traditional skills, and outdoor life. You do not need to be an experienced angler, since the guides teach the methods.

Families can find a lot to like here. Children can help with the fishing, and the fire, stew, bread, and marshmallows give the day several points of interest. The group example with young children and grandparents is encouraging, but every family should judge its own cold tolerance and ability to manage time outdoors.

It also suits couples and small groups who prefer a quiet lake to a highly scheduled attraction. The calm setting may be the best reason to book. You get time to listen, watch the ice, and work with your hands.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold, physical tasks, or uncertain results. Drilling holes takes effort, fishing may not produce a catch on your line, and the winter clothing is your responsibility. This is not the right choice if you want a warm indoor meal or a quick, guaranteed activity.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which can help if your Finland plans are still shifting.

Mention dietary requirements and allergies when you book. The meal is part of the experience, so the guides need this information in advance.

The activity runs for about five hours, but starting times should be checked for your chosen date. It operates with a minimum of two participants. Pickup from Ivalo is complimentary, while transfers from Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää need to be arranged ahead of time.

Should you book the Rahajärvi ice-fishing trip?

Book it if you want more than a staged winter photo. The strongest parts are the chance to try three traditional fishing methods, the guidance from the Xwander team, and the meal cooked from the day’s catch over an open fire.

At $167, the value comes from the full package rather than from fishing alone. You get transport from Ivalo, equipment, instruction, food, and a five-hour outdoor experience. Pack serious winter clothing, accept that catches are not guaranteed, and make sure the pace suits your group.

For families, food-focused visitors, and anyone interested in everyday northern traditions, this is a well-rounded choice. If you want a short activity with little exposure to the cold, choose something else.

FAQ

Where does the ice-fishing activity take place?

The activity takes place at Rahajärvi, near Ivalo, Finland. You meet at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12, before traveling to the lake.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive at the Xwander shop by 9:45. The scheduled departure is at 10:00, and the group usually returns around 15:15.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is around five hours.

What fishing methods will I learn?

You will learn kairaaminen, which involves drilling holes through the ice, pilkkiminen, which is ice fishing, and juomustus, which involves net fishing under the ice.

Is food included?

Yes. Fish is cooked over an open fire, and open-fire food, cooking equipment, and tableware are included. Dietary requirements and allergies should be provided when booking.

Is winter clothing provided?

No. Winter clothing is not included. Bring warm, windproof clothing because conditions can change quickly.

Is pickup available from nearby towns?

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