Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

Cold hands, warm fire, fresh fish.

At Rahajärvi near Ivalo, you learn old Lappish fishing methods instead of simply watching someone else do the work. I like the mix of ice fishing and under-ice net fishing, and I like that your catch becomes lunch over an open fire. The main drawback is the weather: five hours outside in changing winter conditions demands serious warm clothing.

The $167 price is fair if you value hands-on instruction, transport from Ivalo, cooking, safety equipment, and a full half-day in the forest. This is not a quick photo stop. You will drill through thick ice, wait patiently, handle fishing gear, and accept that nature does not promise a full basket.

Rahajärvi ice fishing at a glance

• Three traditional methods: Drill holes, try rod fishing, and inspect nets set beneath the ice.
• Fresh lunch from the lake: Fish may become soup, cream stew, or another open-fire dish, depending on the catch and preparation.
• A five-hour outing: Meet at Eräsoppi, Ivalontie 12, by 9:45 for the 10:00 departure, returning around 15:15.
• A real campfire pause: Cooking, eating, and marshmallows make the fire as important as the fishing.
• Good for mixed-age families: Guides demonstrate each task and help children, according to the experience described by a family of six.
• French, Finnish, and English support: The guide team works in three listed languages, and guide Julian is named in one participant account.

Starting at Eräsoppi in Ivalo

Your morning begins at the Xwander shop, Eräsoppi, at Ivalontie 12. The official departure is 10:00, but you should arrive by 9:45. That extra quarter hour is for preparation, and you do not want to begin the day rushing while everyone else sorts out winter gear and equipment.

A complimentary pickup is available within Ivalo. If you are staying in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, you need to contact Xwander ahead of time about a transfer. Transport to the meeting point is not included outside the stated Ivalo pickup service, so check this before booking.

From the shop, the group rides to Rahajärvi. The drive is part of the practical design of the outing: you leave town and reach a quieter lake setting without arranging your own transport. The exact drive time is not provided, so keep your morning open rather than planning another close-fitting activity afterward.

The trip runs with at least two participants. That minimum makes the activity possible for solo bookers if another person has reserved, but it does not tell you the maximum group size. If group size matters to you, ask before paying.

Making the first hole in the ice

The first job is kairaaminen, the Finnish practice of drilling through the ice. This is not just a quick turn of a handle for a staged photograph. One account specifically describes struggling with the ice auger, which is useful to know before you arrive.

That effort is part of the lesson. You feel the thickness of the frozen lake and understand that winter fishing requires more than dropping a line into a hole. Guides show you how to work the equipment, then help where needed. For children, this hands-on task can be exciting, though younger kids may need an adult close by.

Once the hole is open, the guide can explain how the fishing works and demonstrate the equipment. The pace is likely to be calm rather than frantic. Ice fishing rewards patience, and your catch is never guaranteed.

I would treat the fishing as the point of the trip, not as a promise of a large meal. Some people catch fish with a line, while the under-ice nets provide another chance to see what the lake has offered. The experience remains worthwhile even if the fish are shy, because you are learning methods that have served northern communities for generations.

Trying pilkkiminen and juomustus

The rod fishing method is pilkkiminen, traditional ice fishing through a hole. You sit or stand near the opening, work the line, and wait. The quiet is a feature here. There is no motor noise or busy dock, just the frozen lake, forest, and the small movements needed to fish.

The second method, juomustus, involves checking a net placed under the ice. This gives the outing a useful contrast. Rod fishing asks you to wait for a bite, while net fishing lets you see how fish are caught beneath the frozen surface.

The guide does the teaching and safety work, but you still take part. A family group described detailed explanations and demonstrations, with the staff helping children as they tried each activity. That balance matters: you get real participation without being left to guess what to do.

Fish from northern waters are presented as especially good for eating because the water is cold and clear. That is part of the appeal, but the final result depends on the catch. You should come ready for a genuine fishing outing, not a guaranteed seafood tasting.

Cooking the catch over open fire

After the fishing, the group turns to food. Xwander provides the cooking equipment and tableware, so you do not need to pack pots, plates, or utensils. Safety equipment is also included.

The open fire gives the second half of the trip its shape. You are not simply handed a prepared lunch. You watch the catch being prepared and learn different ways of cooking fish over the fire. That connection between fishing and eating is what gives the outing its strongest sense of place.

The food described in the experience includes fish cooked by the guide, salmon soup, and a cream stew with fish and bread. These examples should not be treated as a fixed menu, since the meal can depend on what is caught and how the group’s food is prepared that day.

One account also describes marshmallows toasted at the end. That small touch works well for families, while the hot food and fire provide a welcome break for everyone. After time on the ice, a warm bowl and a sheltered fire can feel like the best part of the day.

Dietary requirements and allergies should be given when you book. Do not wait until lunch. The provider needs that information in advance to plan appropriately.

A quiet winter pause by the lake

The appeal of this trip is not only fishing. The pause beside the fire gives you time to look around and enjoy the forest setting without a packed schedule of separate activities.

The exact shelter arrangement is not fully specified, though an account describes sitting around the fire in a tent. You should still dress as if you will spend much of the day outdoors. A shelter and fire help, but neither replaces proper winter clothing.

The conditions can change quickly in northern Finland. Warm, windproof layers are essential, along with suitable winter footwear. Winter clothing is not included, so you will need to bring your own.

Pack water, a snack, and a camera. The snack is useful if you are hungry before the meal, and water is easy to forget in cold weather. Keep your camera protected from the cold, and do not let taking pictures distract you from the practical tasks.

What the $167 price covers

At $167 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Lapland. It is also more than a short ice-fishing demonstration. You are paying for about five hours, a ride from Ivalo to the lake, a live guide, instruction in three fishing methods, cooking, open-fire food, equipment for eating, and safety gear.

That package makes more sense if you want an activity with a clear beginning, middle, and end. You start at the shop, travel to the lake, learn the methods, fish, cook, eat, and return around 15:15. The price is harder to justify if you only want to try ice fishing for a few minutes or take quick photographs.

The food adds real value because the catch is part of the meal. You are not just looking at an old custom from the sidelines. You take part in a small chain of work: make the hole, fish, inspect the net, prepare the catch, and eat beside the fire.

You still need to budget for winter clothing if you do not already have it. Transfer costs may also matter if you are staying outside Ivalo and cannot use the complimentary Ivalo pickup.

Who will enjoy this half-day outing

I would recommend this for families who want a shared activity with several levels of participation. Adults can handle the tougher work with the ice auger, while children can try fishing, watch the nets, and help around the fire under guidance.

The experience also suits couples and small groups who prefer quiet outdoor activities to fast snowmobile-style entertainment. You will have time to notice the cold, the silence, and the work involved in northern fishing.

It is a good fit for curious eaters, too. The meal feels more satisfying because you have taken part in getting it. If you want a guaranteed restaurant-style lunch or dislike waiting in the cold, choose a different activity.

Older family members can enjoy the cooking and fire even if drilling the ice is tiring. One family group included young children and grandparents and found that the guides offered useful help throughout the activities. Still, every participant should be prepared for outdoor winter conditions.

The tour is available in Finnish, English, and French. That makes it easier to follow the instructions, especially when the guide is explaining equipment and safety. One participant singled out a guide named Julian for kind and careful help, though the guide working on your departure may be different.

Practical timing and preparation

Plan to be at Eräsoppi by 9:45, not at 10:00. The group leaves at 10:00 and returns to the shop at about 15:15, giving you roughly five hours from start to finish.

Wear warm, windproof clothing in layers. The provider does not supply winter clothing, and the cold can change quickly. Bring a camera, snacks, and water, but keep your hands free enough to use the fishing equipment.

Tell Xwander about allergies or dietary needs when booking. This matters because the meal is prepared as part of the outing, and the food may include fish, soup, bread, or cream-based cooking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms help if your Lapland schedule depends on weather or changing plans, but they do not remove the need to prepare for the cold.

The activity requires at least two participants. If you are booking alone, confirm that the departure is operating before building your day around it.

The main strengths and limitations

The strongest part is the connection between traditional skills and lunch. You are not simply told that people used to fish under the ice. You drill, fish with a line, inspect the nets, and see the catch cooked.

The guides also receive strong praise for clear demonstrations and help with children. That is important because the equipment may be unfamiliar, and drilling through the ice can be harder than it looks.

The open fire is another major plus. It turns a cold activity into a social one, with warm food, cooking lessons, and possibly toasted marshmallows. The fire gives the group a natural place to gather rather than ending the fishing and sending everyone straight back to town.

The limitations are just as clear. You need good clothing, the catch is uncertain, and the outing takes five hours. There is no guarantee of dramatic fishing action every minute. The experience asks you to accept a slow winter pace.

Should you book the Rahajärvi fishing trip?

Book it if you want a hands-on Lapland activity that connects local fishing methods with a real outdoor meal. It is especially appealing for families, food-minded visitors, and anyone who prefers learning by doing.

Think twice if you dislike cold weather, have limited time, or want a guaranteed catch. The best reason to book is not the promise of fish. It is the chance to learn kairaaminen, pilkkiminen, and juomustus, then warm up beside a fire with food prepared from the lake.

At $167, I see solid value for a full five-hour outing with transport from Ivalo, guides, safety equipment, cooking gear, and lunch. Bring the right clothing, arrive early, and treat the fishing as a patient northern tradition rather than a quick thrill. That is when Rahajärvi makes the most sense.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12 in Ivalo.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive by 9:45. The car ride to Rahajärvi leaves at 10:00.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is about five hours. The group is expected to return to the shop around 15:15.

Is pickup available?

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

Which fishing methods are included?

You learn to drill holes in the ice, try ice fishing with a line, and check nets placed beneath the ice.

Is food included?

Yes. Open-fire food, cooking equipment, and tableware are included. The catch is cooked after the fishing.

What languages are available?

The live guides speak Finnish, English, and French.

What should I bring?

Bring warm, windproof clothing, a camera, snacks, and water. Winter clothing is not included.