Drill a hole, wait for a bite and warm up in a Lappish kota where the day’s catch becomes a smoky fish soup. This five-hour winter experience outside Ivalo blends traditional Sámi ice-fishing techniques with hands-on cooking around an open fire.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The first sound is the bite through ice — a hollow, confident crack that seems to confirm the whole lake is awake. Frost flakes underfoot as you walk out from the spruce-line toward the pale blue flat of Rahajärvi; tall birches stand like quiet spectators and a low wind pushes across the frozen surface as if checking your courage. Guides from Xwander hand over thick overalls and rubber boots, then demonstrate the kaira — the auger that carves a round window into winter water. The act is mechanical and intimate: drill, peel, peer. Then the lake answers, sometimes with a sudden tug.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; you should be able to walk short distances on packed snow and stand for periods on the ice.
Wildlife
History
Ice fishing in Lapland combines Sámi subsistence traditions with techniques adapted for long winters; the kota used for cooking echoes historic Lappish communal shelters.
Conservation
Guides follow local fishing quotas and encourage catch-aware cooking; visitors are asked to pack out waste and minimize wood use to protect shoreline vegetation.
Reserve your spot on the Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in layers and use wool
Bring merino base layers and a fleece mid-layer under the supplied overalls; avoid cotton which holds moisture and chills you quickly.
Keep spare camera batteries warm
Cold drains batteries fast—store spares against your body and bring a small dry bag for electronics.
Glove strategy: thin liner + waterproof mitt
A thin liner glove lets you handle lines and knives; add a waterproof insulated mitten for breaks and transfers.
Respect ice safety and guide instructions
Follow the guide’s route markers, never wander off the packed trail on your own; stay clear of thin-ice zones and open holes.
Insulated waterproof boots (recommended to bring if you have them)
Even with supplied boots, a well-broken insulated boot improves warmth and footing on snow-packed ice.
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Thermal base layers (wool or synthetic)
Core warmth comes from base layers — they keep you dry and warm during long periods of standing.
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Waterproof insulated gloves
Protects hands from freezing when handling lines, fish, and tools near open holes.
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Camera or smartphone with spare batteries
Cold shortens battery life; keep spares warm and ready for candid shots in the kota and on the ice.
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