Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

Drilling through thick ice on Lake Inari is the heart of this outing. You learn how winter fishing works in northern Finland, check submerged nets for White Fish, Pike, Perch, or Burbot, then turn the catch into a hot meal beside an open fire.

I like the small maximum group of eight and the practical gear package, since overalls and boots make a cold-weather morning much easier. I also like that the experience connects fishing, cooking, and local outdoor skills rather than treating the lake as scenery only.

The main consideration is the weather. This is an outdoor activity with a fairly long day on the ice, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation or a new date. The optional sauna and ice swimming also cost extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Lake Inari ice fishing: Drill through the frozen lake and learn traditional winter fishing methods.
• Fresh fish and open-fire cooking: Prepare the catch and eat warm fish soup in a Lappish tipi tent.
• Small group size: The maximum is eight people, which suits anyone who wants direct time with the guide.
• Ivalo pickup included: Transfers from Ivalo and back are covered, while transfers from several other resorts cost extra.
• Possible guide team: Sonja, Juhanni, Jennifer, and Ossi are among the Xwander guides associated with these activities.
• Sauna or ice swimming: You can add one of these cold-weather finishes, but neither is part of the base price.

From Xwander Nordic to the frozen lake

Your day begins at Xwander Nordic on Ivalontie 12, with a 10:00 AM start. You should arrive by 9:45 AM if you are meeting the group there. The outing lasts about five hours, but the return is generally between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, so leave room in your schedule for the day to run at its natural Arctic pace.

Transfers from Ivalo and back are included. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, or Saariselkä, an additional transfer charge applies. That detail matters because the base price can look different depending on where you sleep.

Once you arrive, the guide provides Arctic overalls and boots. This is more than a nice extra. Sitting or standing on frozen lake ice for several hours can be uncomfortable in ordinary winter clothing, especially while handling fishing equipment. You should still dress in warm layers, but the supplied outer gear takes some pressure off your packing list.

The maximum group size is eight. I see this as one of the strongest features. A guide can explain the fishing steps, answer questions, and help with cooking without trying to manage a large crowd spread across the ice.

Drilling through Lake Inari’s winter ice

The first real task is making a hole in the ice. You use an ice auger to work through the frozen surface, then learn how the fishing gear is used below. That physical start helps you understand the place quickly. This is not just a photo stop beside a frozen lake. You take part in a method that has long suited life in northern Finland.

Lake Inari is the second stop listed for the activity, after the initial meeting in Ivalo. Its winter setting gives the experience its character. You get open views across the ice, quiet surroundings, and a clear sense of how much the season shapes everyday outdoor life in Lapland.

The fishing itself is not guaranteed to produce a large catch. That is important to understand before booking. One outing had trouble freeing a net from the ice, but persistence eventually brought up three fish. That kind of moment is part of the appeal, but it also shows why you should not book this as a guaranteed fishing haul.

The possible catch includes White Fish, Pike, Perch, and Burbot. The guide explains what comes up and how the fish fits into the local freshwater environment. For families, the drilling and checking process gives children something active to do. One guide, Juhanni, was especially praised for working through a stubborn net problem and keeping the fishing going.

Checking nets and learning the catch

After the ice holes are ready, you check submerged fishing nets. This makes the outing different from a simple rod-and-reel lesson. You are learning how fish can be caught beneath the ice and how the net is handled in frozen conditions.

The guide also helps identify the fish. White Fish, Pike, Perch, and Burbot are not interchangeable ingredients, and the catch gives the cooking portion a direct link to the lake. You can ask about the fish as you handle it and learn more about Arctic aquatic life along the way.

The experience is best for you if you enjoy hands-on outdoor activities. If you want to sit in a warm vehicle and look at snowy scenery, this may feel too active. The schedule gives you time to fish, prepare food, and eat, but it does not promise a fast result or a packed series of attractions.

I appreciate that the guides do not appear to treat a problem as a reason to abandon the activity. The account of the stuck net shows that the day can include trial and error. In a northern setting, that feels more honest than presenting fishing as a perfectly controlled performance.

Fish soup in a Lappish tipi

The cooking portion brings everyone together in a Lappish tipi tent. After the catch is prepared, the food is cooked over an open fire, and the main meal is a warm fish soup. Food and drinks are included in the price.

That soup is a practical reward after time outdoors, but it is also one of the most memorable parts of the day. You get to see how the catch becomes a meal instead of simply taking a photograph and moving on. A dessert cooked over the fire has also been part of the experience, adding a sweet finish to the meal.

The tipi matters here. It gives you a sheltered place to warm up and eat, while the fire creates a natural pause in the day. The setting is informal and communal. You are not being rushed through a restaurant course. You are sharing a simple meal connected to the lake, the season, and the work you have just done.

Guides Sonja and Juhanni have been associated with particularly strong food and outdoor hosting on this activity. Ossi is also known for cooking on Xwander outings, including reindeer stew on a separate day program. You should not assume a particular guide or dish will be assigned, but the company’s guide team clearly treats cooking as an important part of the experience.

What the guides add to the day

A good guide matters greatly on an ice outing. The guide has to explain the equipment, watch the conditions, help with the nets, manage the fire, and keep the group moving. You may be led by Sonja, Juhanni, Jennifer, or another Xwander guide.

The guide team has also been praised for explaining Sami culture and for being patient and attentive. That is useful context because the activity is not only about catching fish. You can use the time to ask about local traditions, winter travel, fishing, and life around Ivalo and Inari.

Some guides bring more than technical instruction. Singing, navigation, cooking, and snowmobile-assisted transport have all been part of the wider skill set described for Xwander’s guides. Those details should not be read as a promise that every part will happen on this five-hour outing, but they suggest you are booking with a team used to working outdoors in Lapland.

The small group helps here. With no more than eight participants, you have a better chance to ask questions without shouting across a busy group. It also makes the tipi meal feel more personal.

The optional sauna and ice swim

You can add a tent sauna or ice swimming at the end. These are not included in the $188.09 base price, so check the extra cost before you decide.

The sauna is the gentler choice if you want a classic Finnish finish without making the final part of the day quite so intense. Ice swimming is the more daring option. The supplied information does not specify water temperature, facilities, or how long you stay in the water, so ask Xwander Nordic for those details before adding it.

You should treat both options as extras, not essential parts of the fishing trip. The main experience already includes the lake, fishing, cooking, food, drinks, gear, and guide service. If you are watching your budget, skip the add-ons and still get the full core outing.

What the $188.09 price really covers

At $188.09 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend a morning outdoors. The value improves when you count what is included: a guide, fishing equipment, warm overalls and boots, food, drinks, and transfers from Ivalo.

You are also paying for instruction and organization. The guide handles the fishing setup, the net work, the catch preparation, and the open-fire meal. Buying a similar day independently would require finding suitable equipment, reaching the lake, arranging food, and knowing how to work safely on the ice.

The price makes the most sense for you if you want an organized Arctic activity with a strong food element. It is less compelling if you already have winter fishing equipment, transport, and local knowledge, or if you mainly want a short introduction to a frozen lake.

The extra transfer fees deserve attention. Staying in Ivalo keeps the listed price easier to understand. If you are based in Saariselkä or one of the other named places, compare the total cost with other local activities before booking.

Who will enjoy this five-hour outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to people who want to participate rather than simply watch. Families can enjoy the physical work of drilling and checking nets, and the warm meal gives the day a clear reward. The activity is also a good fit for couples or small groups looking for a quieter outdoor experience.

You do not need to be an experienced angler. Fishing equipment and guide service are provided, and the activity is designed around learning traditional techniques. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

The main test is your tolerance for cold and changing weather. The activity requires good weather, and conditions can affect the day. Even with supplied boots and overalls, you should expect several hours connected to a winter environment, not a quick indoor demonstration.

If you are hoping for guaranteed fish, think carefully. A catch may be part of your meal, but ice, nets, and fish do not always cooperate. I would book this for the process, the setting, and the cooking, with the catch treated as an added bonus.

Timing, meeting point, and cancellation details

The meeting point is Xwander Nordic, Ivalontie 12, 99800 Inari, Finland. The listed start time is 10:00 AM, with arrival requested by 9:45 AM. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and the experience is offered in English. It is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided when you book. The group maximum is eight.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed to run the experience is not reached.

Is Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking worth booking?

I would book this if you want one well-organized day that combines ice fishing and local cooking. The small group, included winter gear, Ivalo transfers, and tipi meal give it more substance than a basic sightseeing trip.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold-weather activity, need a guaranteed catch, or are staying outside Ivalo and face a large transfer supplement. For the best value, confirm the pickup cost, ask about the sauna or ice swim price, and keep your schedule flexible because weather controls the day.

For most people who want a hands-on introduction to Lapland’s frozen lakes, this is a worthwhile choice. The fish may be plentiful or stubborn, but the drilling, net checking, open fire, and warm soup give you a genuine sense of how winter shapes life around Lake Inari.

FAQ

Where does the Arctic fishing tour start?

The tour starts at Xwander Nordic, Ivalontie 12, 99800 Inari, Finland.

What time should I arrive?

The listed start time is 10:00 AM, and you should arrive at the meeting point by 9:45 AM.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately five hours. Return is expected between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.

Is transportation included?

Transfers from Ivalo and back to the meeting point are included. Supplementary transfers from Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, and Saariselkä cost extra.

What equipment is provided?

The guide provides fishing equipment, Arctic overalls, and boots.

What fish might be found?

The possible fish include White Fish, Pike, Perch, and Burbot.

Is food included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included, with the catch prepared and used for a warm fish soup. A dessert cooked over an open fire has also been part of the meal.

Are the sauna and ice swimming included?

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

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number can also lead to a new date or a full refund.