The best time for ice fishing in Rovaniemi

Highlights

• Hotel pickup only outside the city centre, then a 5–10 minute walk through old forest to the lake
• You drill your own hole, and the guide explains how locals fish with nets under the ice
• A big fish is cooked over the fire, undersized fish go back into the water
• Winter clothing and boots are included

How the trip runs

The van stops at the edge of an old forest, and a walk of 5 to 10 minutes brings you out onto a frozen lake. The guide shows how people in the Arctic have fished through ice up to a metre thick, including nets set under the surface, and then you try it yourself with your own hole.

If you land a big fish, it goes straight onto the fire. Fish that are too small are put back. The tour runs in all weather.

Included

• Professional winter clothing and boots
• Ice fishing gear
• Campfire snack and hot drinks
• Guide

Highlights

• Transfer from Rovaniemi city centre or Santa Claus Village to Apukka Resort
• You sit on a reindeer skin while the guide drills the hole
• A fish you catch is prepared as a snack on the spot
• Thermal overall, boots, woollen socks and mittens are included

How the trip runs

The transfer runs from Rovaniemi city centre or Santa Claus Village to Apukka Resort. On the lake you sit on a reindeer skin while the guide drills a hole through the thick ice, and you wait for perch or another freshwater fish by the fire with a warm drink.

If something bites, the guide prepares it as a snack right there. The trip only runs once the ice is confirmed thick enough; if it is cancelled for lack of ice, you get a full refund.

Included

• Ice fishing instruction and equipment
• Hot drink and light snack
• Guiding in English
• Winter clothing (thermal overall, thermal boots, woollen socks, mittens)
• Transfers from Rovaniemi city centre or Santa Claus Village, if needed

Highlights

• 45 minutes by minibus, then 15 minutes in a sleigh pulled by a snowmobile
• A heated kota stands on the ice of Niesikivalo lake, with a fishing hole inside
• Demonstration of winter net fishing
• Private group; sledging on gentle slopes for all ages

How the trip runs

Pickup covers accommodation within 10 km of Rovaniemi centre. A 45-minute minibus ride and a 15-minute sleigh transfer behind a snowmobile bring you to Niesikivalo, a remote wilderness lake. You ride in the sleigh; you do not drive.

On the lake stands a heated Lappish kota with a fishing hole inside, so you can keep fishing when it is windy. Outside, the guide teaches the basics, shows how local fishermen set nets under the ice and grills Finnish sausages over a small fire in the kota. There is sledging for children and adults, and a viewpoint if time allows.

Included

• Pickup and drop-off within 10 km of Rovaniemi centre
• 45-minute minibus ride
• 15-minute sleigh transfer
• Ice fishing
• Net-fishing demonstration
• Sledging
• Grilled Finnish sausages
• Local guide

Not included

• Transfers beyond 10 km

Highlights

• Transport to a lake or river chosen by the ice conditions; hotel pickup on the 4-hour option
• Designed by the founder, a local fisherman with decades on Lapland's waters
• About 1.5 hours on the ice (2 h) or about 3 hours with a barbecue lunch (4 h)
• Winter clothing can be added after booking

How the trip runs

The founder of Arctic Safari Guides, Timo, built this trip around his own decades of fishing the lakes and rivers of Lapland. The spot is not fixed: the guide chooses it by weather and ice, so you may fish on a frozen river or a lake around Rovaniemi, and early or late in the season the drive can be longer.

The 2-hour option gives about 1.5 hours on the ice with a light snack and a warm drink. The 4-hour Premium option adds hotel pickup, about 3 hours of fishing, a Finnish barbecue lunch, a small group and professional photos. You drill your own hole either way.

Included

• Transport from Rovaniemi to the fishing spot and back
• Ice fishing equipment
• Light snack and warm drink (2 h)
• Hotel pickup, about 3 hours on the ice, barbecue lunch and photos (4 h Premium)
• Safety equipment when required

Highlights

• Car to Niesikivalo, then a sleigh pulled by a snowmobile to the fishing area
• Fish under the night sky or inside a heated teepee on the lake
• Burbot fishing, with fishing permits included
• At most 8 participants; winter clothing costs extra

How the trip runs

Pickup is in the evening from accommodation within 10 km of Rovaniemi. After the drive to Niesikivalo, a sleigh behind a snowmobile takes the group to a private fishing area. The guide explains why burbot are most active on midwinter evenings and helps you drill your holes.

You fish outdoors or inside a heated Lappish teepee with a campfire, with hot drinks and light snacks through the evening. There is little light pollution at the lake, so northern lights are possible on a clear night, but nothing guarantees them.

Included

• Pickup and return within 10 km of Rovaniemi
• Transport by car and snowmobile sleigh to the base camp
• Burbot fishing equipment
• Fishing permits
• Heated teepee with campfire
• Coffee, tea, berry juice and light snacks
• Wilderness guide

Not included

• Winter clothing (overalls, boots, gloves, hats) costs extra