Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

The best part of this Rahajärvi ice-fishing trip is that you do more than sit beside a hole in the ice. You drill into the frozen lake, try traditional pilkkiminen fishing, inspect nets set under the ice, then cook the catch over a fire. It feels like a practical lesson in northern life, not a quick photo stop.

I like the hands-on work and the meal at the end. You get to handle the auger, learn how under-ice net fishing works, and eat fish that has just come from the lake. I also like the warm campfire pause, where fish, bread, cream stew, and marshmallows can turn a cold morning into a very pleasant one.

The main drawback is the weather. Winter clothing is not included, and conditions can change fast. Five hours outside near a frozen lake is a long time if your boots, gloves, or windproof layers are not up to the job.

Key points at a glance

• Three traditional fishing methods: Drill ice holes, try pilkkiminen, and check nets beneath the frozen lake.
• Your catch becomes lunch: Fish is cooked at camp over an open fire, with cooking gear and tableware supplied.
• A real lake setting: The trip goes to Rahajärvi, reached by vehicle from Xwander’s shop in Ivalo.
• A warm family activity: Guides demonstrate the techniques and help children take part.
• Five hours from shop to shop: Meet at 9:45 for a 10:00 departure and return around 15:15.
• French, Finnish, and English guidance: A guide named Julien has led the activity, though guide assignment can vary.

From Ivalontie 12 to the frozen Rahajärvi

Your day begins at the Eräsoppi and Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12 in Ivalo. Be there by 9:45, not at the advertised 10:00 departure, since the team needs time for preparations before driving to the lake.

The vehicle transfer matters because Rahajärvi is not simply a fishing lesson in town. You leave the shop and head into a quieter forest setting, where the lake and winter conditions shape the whole outing. The total time is about five hours, with a return to the shop around 15:15.

Xwander provides complimentary pickup within Ivalo. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, ask about a transfer before booking. Transport to the meeting point is not included, so your location can affect the final cost and convenience.

The trip runs with at least two participants. That makes this a poor fit if you want a completely private outing for one person, but it also means the activity has a small-group, shared-camp feel rather than the pace of a large bus tour.

Drilling through the ice by hand

At Rahajärvi, the first job is reaching the water. You use a hand auger to drill through the ice, a task known locally as kairaaminen. This is simple in theory and physical in practice. One Japanese visitor described having trouble getting through the ice, so do not expect the hole to appear with one easy twist.

That effort is part of the point. You are not just handed a rod and placed beside a ready-made fishing hole. The work shows how much labor sits behind an old winter fishing routine. Guides demonstrate the technique, then help you handle the equipment safely.

The thickness of the ice and the day’s weather can affect how hard this feels. Bring warm, windproof clothing, and expect your gloves to matter. You will want enough dexterity to work the auger and fishing gear, but thick layers are still important during the waiting periods.

This is also a good place for children to get involved. The guides have shown techniques clearly and helped young participants take part, but parents should still expect to stay engaged. Cold, heavy equipment and uneven winter conditions call for ordinary supervision.

Pilkkiminen, the quiet art of ice fishing

Once the holes are ready, you try pilkkiminen, traditional Finnish ice fishing with a short line through the ice. The method is quiet and patient. You lower the line, watch, and wait.

A catch is never guaranteed, and that is worth understanding before you book. The pleasure here comes from the full process: making the hole, learning the method, feeling the cold air, and seeing how the lake is used in winter. If you need constant action, this can feel slow.

If you do catch fish, the reward is immediate and personal. You have helped create the meal rather than buying something prepared in town. The clear, cold northern waters are part of the appeal, and the fish goes from lake to fire with very little between.

The outing can also include salmon soup, fish cream stew, bread, and marshmallows around the fire. The exact catch and meal may vary, so think of the food as part of the day’s fishing result rather than a fixed restaurant menu.

Looking under the ice with juomustus

The second fishing tradition is juomustus, net fishing beneath the ice. This adds a different kind of interest because the work is not only about your own line and hole. You check the nets under the frozen lake with the guide and see how fish can be caught on a larger scale during winter.

The net work gives the trip useful local context. You are learning a method that depends on the frozen surface, the water below, and careful preparation. It also breaks up the stillness of line fishing, especially if you have been waiting without a bite.

The guides handle the practical teaching. Demonstrations are part of the outing, and the instruction is available in Finnish, English, and French. One guide named Julien has been singled out for kind, careful help, though you should not assume he will lead every departure.

For many people, checking the nets may be the most unusual part of the experience. Ice fishing with a small rod is familiar from many winter activity programs. Under-ice net fishing feels more tied to local practice and gives the day a stronger connection to traditional Lappish life.

Cooking the fish over an open fire

After the fishing, the group turns its attention to lunch. Xwander supplies the cooking equipment, eating utensils, and safety equipment. You help prepare food around an open fire, using different methods to cook the fish.

The meal is the payoff, but it is also a social part of the trip. A fire gives everyone a place to warm up, talk, and watch the cooking. One family outing included fish caught with a line, fish brought up from the nets, cream stew with bread, salmon soup, and marshmallows toasted at the end.

Do not expect a polished restaurant service. This is outdoor cooking in a forest by a frozen lake, with the weather and the day’s catch shaping the meal. That is exactly why the experience has value. You see where the food comes from, take part in its preparation, and eat it close to the place where it was caught.

Tell Xwander about dietary needs and allergies when you book. The supplied information specifically asks you to do this, and the meal is central enough that you should not leave the question until the morning of the trip.

The warmest part of a cold day

A winter lake can be beautiful and very quiet, but the cold is not decorative. You may spend time standing near fishing holes, handling equipment, and moving between the ice and the fire. Your clothing will determine how much attention you can give to the activity.

Wear warm layers, a windproof outer shell, insulated trousers if you have them, a hat, gloves, and warm boots. Bring water and snacks as advised, even though food is provided. A camera is worth carrying if you can protect it from snow and cold.

Winter conditions can shift quickly. The supplied safety advice is simple and important: dress warmly and protect yourself from wind. Winter clothing is not part of the price, so this is one area where you may need to spend more if you are arriving in Lapland without proper gear.

The fire helps, but it is not a replacement for good clothing. You will not be warm every minute of the outing, and that is the honest tradeoff for spending five hours outdoors in northern Finland.

Is $167 a fair price?

At $167 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Lapland. The value comes from the number of elements packed into one outing: transport from Ivalo, guidance, safety equipment, three fishing methods, cooking supplies, tableware, and a meal around the fire.

You are also paying for instruction and access to a type of experience that is difficult to arrange on your own. Drilling safe holes, handling under-ice nets, and cooking beside a frozen lake all require equipment and local know-how. The price makes more sense if you value the process rather than simply wanting to catch a fish.

The meal improves the value. Fish, soup or stew, bread, and marshmallows give the five-hour trip a clear shape and keep it from becoming a long wait beside an empty hole. Still, the catch is not guaranteed, and the outing should not be judged only by how many fish you bring home.

For a family, the price can work well because children and grandparents can take part at different levels. Younger children may need help with the tools and cold, while older family members can enjoy the calmer fishing and campfire time. The activity has received a 4.7 rating from 12 reviews, with especially strong praise for the guides, demonstrations, food, and family-friendly help.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would choose this for you if you want a slower, more local-feeling winter activity. It suits people who like learning a traditional skill, eating outdoors, and accepting that nature controls the pace.

Families can do well here, especially when children are old enough to follow instructions and stay warm. The guides have helped young children take part, and the mix of physical work, fishing, food, and marshmallows gives the day several points of interest.

It also suits couples and small groups who prefer a quiet forest setting to a faster snowmobile-style excursion. You do not need to be an expert angler. The guides teach the methods and provide the necessary fishing and cooking equipment.

I would think twice if you dislike cold, waiting, or hands-on work. The activity is not a warm indoor demonstration, and winter clothing is your responsibility. It is also not ideal if your only goal is a guaranteed catch.

Booking details that matter

The trip lasts about five hours and starts at 10:00 from the Xwander shop. Arrive by 9:45 for preparation. You return around 15:15, leaving much of the afternoon free for another activity.

Guidance is available in Finnish, English, and French. The activity needs at least two participants to operate. Ivalo pickup is complimentary, while transfers from Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää must be arranged ahead of time.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while planning. Check availability for the exact starting time, since the five-hour duration does not by itself confirm every departure.

Should you book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking?

Book it if you want to understand winter fishing by doing it yourself. The drilling, pilkkiminen, net checking, and open-fire meal create a full experience rather than a single activity. The guides are an important part of the value, especially for families and first-time ice fishers.

Skip it if you want guaranteed fish, indoor comfort, or a short excursion. For everyone else, $167 is reasonable for a five-hour outing that combines transport, instruction, equipment, food, and a genuine connection to everyday northern traditions. Pack seriously for the cold, arrive early, and let the lake set the pace.

FAQ

Where does the ice-fishing trip take place?

The activity takes place at Rahajärvi near Ivalo, Finland. You travel there by car from the Eräsoppi and Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12.

What time does the activity start and finish?

You meet at the shop by 9:45 for a 10:00 departure. The total trip lasts about five hours, with a return to the shop around 15:15.

Is pickup included?

Complimentary pickup is available in Ivalo. Transfers from Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää are not listed as included, so contact Xwander ahead of time to arrange one.

What fishing methods will I try?

You will learn to drill holes through the ice, known as kairaaminen, try ice fishing called pilkkiminen, and check under-ice fishing nets known as juomustus.

Is food included?

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

Do I need to bring winter clothing?

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

What languages do the guides speak?

Guided instruction is available in Finnish, English, and French.

Can I cancel or pay later?

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