Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

The most memorable part of this Lapland outing is the work itself: you drill through thick lake ice, check submerged nets, handle the catch, and then eat fish soup cooked over an open fire. It is not just a quick photo stop beside a frozen lake. You take part in a traditional winter routine, with the weather and the catch shaping the day.

I like the small maximum group of eight, which gives the guide room to explain the fishing and help with the equipment. I also like that the meal uses the fish caught during the outing, followed by dessert cooked over the fire. The main consideration is that the net catch is not guaranteed. On one outing, a net became stuck and only three fish were eventually brought up after several attempts.

Key points at a glance

• Thick ice becomes the fishing spot: You learn to drill through the frozen surface before setting to work.
• Lake Inari provides the setting: The outing combines open winter scenery with practical fishing rather than a simple sightseeing drive.
• Fish soup is cooked in a Lappish tipi: Your catch becomes part of a warm meal prepared over an open fire.
• Guides bring different strengths: Sonja, Juhanni, Ossi, and Jennifer have led related Xwander activities, with fishing, cooking, navigation, and Sami culture among the skills associated with the guiding team.
• Transfers from Ivalo are included: Extra transfers from Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, and Saariselkä cost more.
• Sauna and ice swimming are optional: You can add a tent sauna or ice swimming, but neither is part of the base price.

Drilling into Lake Inari ice

This experience begins at Xwander Nordic on Ivalontie 12, with a 10:00 AM departure. You should arrive by 9:45 AM, especially if you need to be fitted with the provided overalls and boots. The tour lasts about five hours, with the return usually between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.

The key setting is Lake Inari, one of the defining natural features of Finnish Lapland. In winter, its surface becomes the work area. You are not simply looking at the frozen lake from shore. You learn how thick ice is opened and how fishing is carried out in conditions that shape daily life in the far north.

The supplied clothing matters. Lapland can be intensely cold, and standing on ice for several hours is different from walking between warm buildings. Overalls and boots are provided, which makes the trip easier for anyone who did not pack a full set of specialist winter gear. You should still dress in warm layers, since provided outer clothing does not remove the need for gloves, hats, and suitable base layers.

Your guide explains the equipment and the fishing process before the work begins. The pace depends partly on the group, the ice, and the catch. That is a benefit if you want a hands-on outing, but it also means the day is not a tightly choreographed show.

Checking nets for White Fish, Pike, Perch, and Burbot

Ice fishing is only part of the activity. You also check submerged nets for local fish such as White Fish, Pike, Perch, and Burbot. This gives the outing more substance than drilling one small hole, dropping in a line, and waiting.

The net work is also where you see the practical side of the experience. A net can be difficult to pull from the ice. On one outing, it became stuck, and the group had to keep trying before bringing up three fish from the damaged net. That story is useful preparation: the fish catch is part of the adventure, not a promise that the day will produce a full haul.

I like that this uncertainty is built into the activity. You get a clearer sense of how weather, ice, equipment, and luck affect fishing in winter. If you need a guaranteed catch or a polished performance, this may frustrate you. If you are happy to help solve a problem and enjoy the process, it adds a memorable edge.

The guide also explains the local fish and the Arctic freshwater environment. The experience is best understood as a practical introduction to Lapland fishing. You learn by handling equipment, examining the catch, and taking part in preparation rather than listening to a long indoor talk.

From frozen catch to hot fish soup

After the fishing, the group heads to a Lappish tipi tent for food and warmth. Here, the catch is prepared and turned into fish soup over an open fire. Food and drinks are included in the tour price, so you do not need to bring a packed lunch for the main meal.

This is one of the strongest parts of the outing. A hot soup has real value after time spent outside on the ice, and cooking the fish you helped collect gives the meal a clear connection to the morning’s work. The experience also includes dessert prepared over the fire, adding a sweet finish to the meal.

The tent setting keeps the meal tied to the outdoors without leaving you exposed to the cold. It gives the group a natural place to sit, eat, and talk with the guide. On a half-day trip, this pause matters. You get a chance to warm up before the return journey.

The meal is not presented as a restaurant lunch with a long menu. It is a simple, fire-cooked meal shaped by the activity. I would choose this tour for that direct connection between place, work, and food. I would not choose it if you want extensive dining choices or a formal culinary class.

What the guides add to the day

The guiding team is an important part of this experience. Guides named in connection with Xwander activities include Sonja, Juhanni, Ossi, and Jennifer. Your assigned guide can vary, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will lead your date.

Sonja has led an ice-fishing outing that included pickup from accommodation, time in the Lappish outdoors, fresh fish soup, and dessert cooked over the fire. Juhanni has been praised for fishing and cooking, as well as for working through the problem of a stuck net. Ossi has guided other Xwander activities and is associated with cooking, including reindeer stew. Jennifer has been described as attentive and helpful when discussing Sami culture.

The team’s range is useful because the day involves more than fishing. You may ask about local fish, cooking methods, navigation, winter conditions, or Sami culture. The information provided also describes guides who can sing, tow a sled with a snowmobile, and manage several types of outdoor work. You should see that as a sign of a broad guiding skill set, not a guarantee that every extra activity will happen during this particular trip.

The small group cap of eight improves the experience. You have more time to ask questions, and the guide can help with drills, nets, fish preparation, and clothing. It also means the atmosphere may feel more personal than a large coach excursion.

Ivalo pickup and the route to the lake

The meeting point is Xwander Nordic, Ivalontie 12, 99800 Inari, Finland. The activity includes transfers from Ivalo and back to the meeting point. If you stay in Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, or Saariselkä, supplementary transfers are available at an additional cost.

Check your pickup arrangement before booking. The published meeting information refers to arriving at Xwander Nordic by 9:45 AM, while the activity starts at 10:00 AM. The return is expected between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, so you should leave room in your schedule for the variable finish time.

The route includes Ivalo and Lake Inari. Ivalo is the practical starting point for transport, while Lake Inari supplies the setting for the fishing. The exact transfer time depends on where you are staying and the day’s arrangements. Since the base fare includes Ivalo transfers but not every nearby resort, the final cost may be higher for some accommodation areas.

This is worth checking before you compare the price with other Lapland activities. A tour that looks cheaper at first can cost more once transport is added. Ask Xwander Nordic about the correct transfer supplement if you are staying outside Ivalo.

Is $188.09 a fair price?

At $188.09 per person, this is not a budget morning activity. The price includes a guide, fishing equipment, winter overalls and boots, food, drinks, and transfers from Ivalo. It also covers about five hours of instruction and outdoor activity, not just a short ride to a frozen lake.

I think the value is strongest if you need equipment and transport. Buying or renting proper winter clothing in Lapland can add cost and bother, while getting to a remote fishing location on your own may not be practical. The included fish soup and drinks also mean you are paying for a full half-day outing rather than arranging food separately.

The value is weaker if you already have transport, specialist winter clothing, and experience with ice fishing. In that case, part of the package may duplicate what you can arrange yourself. The group limit of eight helps justify the price, since the guide has fewer people to manage and more time for personal help.

The optional tent sauna and ice swimming are not included. These may appeal if you want a more dramatic finish, but they should be treated as extras rather than part of the advertised base experience. Ask about their price and availability before you go.

Who will enjoy this Lapland outing?

I would recommend this experience to adults, families, and small groups who want to do something practical outdoors. The activity has enough variety to keep the day moving: drilling, checking nets, learning about fish, preparing food, and eating in the tipi tent.

Families can benefit from the hands-on format. Children who enjoy tools, snow, cooking, and outdoor work may find it more engaging than a passive scenic trip. The guide’s ability to work closely with a group of eight is helpful when people have different levels of confidence.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, though the included transfer details are specifically tied to Ivalo. You should still consider your own comfort with cold, ice, and several hours outdoors before booking.

This is less suited to anyone looking for a guaranteed large catch, a luxury meal, or a fixed schedule down to the minute. The weather matters, and fishing has natural uncertainty. The tour can be excellent even when the net is stubborn, but you need to accept that the process is part of the day.

Sauna, ice swimming, and the cold-weather decision

The optional tent sauna and ice swimming can finish the experience with a strong Finnish touch. They are not included in the listed price, so you should decide in advance if either appeals to you.

The base outing already gives you a hot meal and shelter in the tipi tent. You do not need to add anything to make the five-hour experience complete. If you are curious about combining outdoor cold with a sauna, ask Xwander Nordic about the extra activities when you book.

Weather can affect the trip. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. This protects you from paying for an activity that cannot operate, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your Lapland schedule.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. I would avoid booking this on the last free day of a tightly packed itinerary, since a weather change could require a new plan.

My advice on booking

Book this outing if you want a small-group winter activity with real participation, warm food, and a clear connection to Lapland’s fishing culture. The strongest reasons are the included gear, Ivalo transfers, the fish soup cooked over an open fire, and the chance to work with guides such as Sonja or Juhanni, depending on the date.

Think twice if your priority is a guaranteed catch, a short activity, or a polished sightseeing program. The net may be difficult, the weather can change the schedule, and the optional sauna and ice swimming cost extra.

For most people staying in Ivalo who want more than a quick snowmobile ride or a view from a roadside stop, I consider the $188.09 price reasonable. You get a full half-day, a small group, equipment, food, and a winter skill that feels tied to the place. Book it with warm layers, an open schedule, and the right expectation: the success of the day is taking part, not counting fish.

FAQ

Where does the Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking experience start?

It 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 experience last?

The activity lasts about five hours. The return to the meeting point is usually between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.

Is transport included?

Transfers from Ivalo and back to the meeting point are included. Supplementary transfers from Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, and Saariselkä are not included in the base price.

What equipment is provided?

Fishing equipment, winter overalls, and boots are provided. Guide services, food, and drinks are also included.

What fish might be found?

The submerged nets may contain White Fish, Pike, Perch, or Burbot. The catch is not guaranteed.

Where does the ice fishing take place?

The fishing takes place at Lake Inari. The itinerary also includes Ivalo as the starting and transfer point.

Are the sauna and ice swimming included?

No. The tent sauna and ice swimming are optional extra activities and are not included in the listed price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum group size causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.