Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

The ice is only the beginning. This five-hour Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking trip combines hands-on fishing on Lake Inari with a warm meal in a Lappish tipi tent. I like the mix of traditional ice fishing and net checking, and I especially like that the catch is prepared and cooked during the outing rather than treated as a side activity.

I also like the small group size, capped at eight people, which should give you more time with your guide. The main consideration is timing: you need to reach Xwander Nordic by 9:45 AM for a 10:00 AM start, and the day can run until 3:00 or 4:00 PM. Optional sauna and ice swimming cost extra, too.

Key points at a glance

• Drill through thick Lake Inari ice: You learn how to make fishing holes using traditional Arctic methods.
• Check submerged nets for local fish: The catch may include white fish, pike, perch, or burbot.
• Eat fish soup in a Lappish tipi: Your guide prepares a warm meal over an open fire, with food and drinks included.
• Small groups keep it personal: The maximum group size is eight people.
• Transfers are included from Ivalo: Extra transfer fees apply from Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, and Saariselkä.
• Add a sauna or ice swim: These are optional extras, not part of the standard price.

Why this Lake Inari outing feels different

Many winter activities in Finnish Lapland are built around watching. You sit in a sleigh, ride a snowmobile, or wait for the Northern Lights. This one asks you to take part.

You help drill through the ice, learn how fishing works in winter, and check submerged nets for fish. That physical work matters. It gives you a clearer sense of how people have used Arctic lakes for food, not just how pretty the frozen surface looks.

The meal adds another useful layer. Instead of returning to town for lunch, you prepare the catch and cook fish soup in a Lappish tipi tent. You get warmth, food, and a bit of outdoor know-how in the same package.

At $188.09 per person, this is not a bargain-priced half-day walk. Still, the fee includes a guide, fishing equipment, food, drinks, transfers from Ivalo, and about five hours outside. If you would otherwise pay separately for transport and lunch, the price becomes easier to justify.

Meeting the group at Xwander Nordic

The meeting point is Xwander Nordic at Ivalontie 12, 99800 Inari, Finland. The stated start time is 10:00 AM, but you should arrive by 9:45 AM. That extra quarter hour is used to get organized and dressed.

The company supplies overalls and boots. That is important in Lapland, where staying warm and dry can shape your whole day. You do not need to arrive with fishing equipment, since the gear is included.

Transfers from Ivalo and back are included. If you are staying elsewhere, check the cost before booking. Supplementary transfers may be available from Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, and Saariselkä, but they are not included in the listed price.

The activity is offered in English. The group limit of eight makes this a better choice than a large coach-style outing if you want to ask questions or need help with the fishing equipment.

Stop one: getting out onto the Arctic ice

The first main part of the day is ice fishing. You learn to drill through the frozen surface and use the equipment provided by the guide.

This is more active than simply standing beside a fishing hole. You have to work the drill, understand where the hole goes, and then learn how the fishing method works. The guide introduces traditional techniques, so the activity has a practical connection to life in Lapland rather than being only a photo opportunity.

The pace will depend on ice and weather conditions. Some days bring quick success. Other days require patience. That uncertainty is part of fishing, and it is worth keeping your expectations sensible. This is not a guaranteed catch-and-release demonstration.

Dress is handled well by the supplied overalls and boots, but you should still take the cold seriously. Warm layers under the outer clothing are a wise idea. You may spend time standing still while waiting for fish, and cold conditions can feel sharper on an open frozen lake.

Stop two: checking submerged fishing nets

The net check adds a second method of fishing and gives the outing more variety. Your guide takes you to submerged nets and helps inspect what has been caught below the ice.

Possible fish include white fish, pike, perch, and burbot. Each species gives you a different connection to the lake and to the food served later. The guide also explains Arctic marine life, so you are not simply collecting fish without context.

Conditions do not always cooperate. On one outing, a net became stuck in the ice and could not be pulled out easily. The guide kept working at it, and the group eventually managed to recover three fish from the damaged net. That is a useful warning: real outdoor activities can include delays and small problems.

It is also one reason a skilled guide matters. Juhanni has been praised for staying patient and trying different methods when the net caused trouble. The experience is strongest when you treat the catch as part of a working fishing trip, not as a guaranteed performance.

Preparing the catch beside the open fire

After fishing, you help prepare the catch. The guide explains what has been found and how it can be used, then the fish becomes part of a hot meal.

The main dish is fish soup cooked over an open fire in a Lappish tipi tent. This setting is one of the most appealing parts of the outing. The tipi offers shelter and warmth, while the fire gives the meal a clear sense of place.

Food and drinks are included in the standard price. The meal has received especially strong praise, with fresh fish soup and a dessert cooked over the open fire described as highlights. That detail makes the lunch feel more complete than a basic packed meal.

Guides Sonja and Juhanni have both been praised for their cooking. Juhanni was also remembered for making an excellent fish soup. You may not get the same guide on every departure, but the team has a strong reputation for combining outdoor instruction with good food.

The fish soup is also a practical advantage. After several hours in winter conditions, a hot bowl is not a minor extra. It gives you time to warm up, talk with the group, and enjoy the setting without rushing straight back into the cold.

Optional sauna and ice swimming

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

The sauna offers a gentler way to finish the day. It gives you another chance to warm up after fishing and cooking. Ice swimming is a much more intense option and should appeal mainly if you already want that kind of cold-water challenge.

The supplied details do not specify how long either add-on lasts or exactly how they are arranged. Ask Xwander Nordic about availability, pricing, and what to bring before booking the extra activities.

You do not need either add-on to get the main experience. The fishing, equipment, guide, meal, drinks, and included Ivalo transfers are already part of the standard trip.

The guides and the small-group advantage

A good guide is central here. You need help with the equipment, advice on fishing technique, information about local fish, and support if the net or ice creates a problem.

Sonja has been praised for good organization and calm guidance. Juhanni has been praised for fishing skill, cooking, and persistence when the net became stuck. Jennifer and Sonja have also been praised for patience and their ability to discuss Sami culture.

That does not mean every departure includes a formal Sami culture program. It does suggest that conversation with the guides can extend beyond the mechanics of fishing, especially if you ask thoughtful questions.

The maximum group size is eight. That is a real advantage. You get more room around the fishing holes, less waiting for equipment, and a better chance to speak directly with the guide. Families may also appreciate the format. One guide specifically responded warmly to a family whose children were happy on the ice.

Timing, transfers, and what the day requires

Plan for roughly five hours, with a return between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. The early meeting time and late afternoon finish make this a substantial part of your day, not a quick morning activity.

If you are staying in Ivalo, the included transfer is a major convenience. You still need to be ready on time for pickup or arrival at the meeting point. For other bases, ask about the supplementary transfer charge before you finalize your plans.

The experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but you should remember that the activity involves cold conditions, outdoor movement, and working with fishing equipment.

The supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment. If you have mobility, medical, or equipment concerns, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the frozen lake setup will suit you.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

This outing depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not reached, you can choose a different date or experience or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

The weather rule is worth taking seriously in Lapland. A safer or more suitable replacement date is better than forcing a fishing trip in bad conditions. Build a little flexibility into your schedule if this is one of the activities you most want to do.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend this outing to you if you want more than a scenic winter drive. It suits people who enjoy practical activities, local food, small groups, and the chance to learn how fishing works under Arctic conditions.

It is a particularly good fit for families, based on the positive response to children taking part on the ice. The five-hour length also gives you enough time to settle into the activity rather than rushing through a short photo stop.

Food lovers should pay attention to this one. The fish soup and open-fire dessert are among the strongest reasons to choose this tour over a simple ice-fishing session. You get the meal while still in the setting where the fish was caught and prepared.

It may be less suitable if you dislike cold weather, standing outdoors, or uncertain results. Fishing does not promise a catch, and the net may take time to retrieve. If you want a tightly timed activity with guaranteed action, this may test your patience.

Is $188.09 a fair price?

The value depends on what you compare it with. The price covers five hours, a guide, equipment, warm overalls and boots, food, drinks, and transfers from Ivalo. Those inclusions remove several costs that can add up during a Lapland holiday.

The meal is not an afterthought. Fresh fish soup cooked in a tipi over an open fire gives the outing a strong sense of place, and guides are praised for their cooking as well as their outdoor skills.

The small group also helps support the price. A maximum of eight people gives you a more direct experience than a large organized outing. The optional sauna and ice swim can increase the final cost, so keep the base price and add-ons separate when comparing options.

My view is that the price is reasonable if you value the full combination of fishing, food, transport, and guide time. It is harder to justify if you only want to try drilling one hole in the ice and take a few pictures.

Should you book Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking?

Book it if you want a hands-on Lapland day with a strong food element. The best parts are the traditional ice-fishing methods, the chance to inspect real fishing nets, the small group, and the hot fish soup served in a Lappish tipi.

Before booking, confirm your transfer arrangements, ask about the cost and availability of the sauna or ice swim, and allow for weather changes. Go with patience, warm layers, and an appetite rather than expecting a guaranteed catch.

For an active family, a couple interested in local food, or anyone who wants a practical connection to Arctic life, this is one of the stronger ways to spend five winter hours around Lake Inari.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Xwander Nordic, Ivalontie 12, 99800 Inari, Finland.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive by 9:45 AM for the 10:00 AM start.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts about five hours and usually returns between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.

Are transfers included?

Transfers from Ivalo and back are included. Supplementary transfers from Inari, Nellim, Kakslauttanen, Kiilopää, and Saariselkä are not included.

What fish might be found?

The nets may contain white fish, pike, perch, or burbot.

Is food included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included, including a warm fish soup prepared over an open fire.

Are the sauna and ice swimming included?

No. The tent sauna and ice swimming are optional extra activities.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.