What you can catch on an ice fishing trip 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

• Transport from Rovaniemi city centre, hotel pickup and drop-off
• Overalls, boots and gloves are lent for the day
• Sausages and warm juice by the campfire
• The operator names trout, rainbow trout, perch and whitefish as possible catches

How the trip runs

A guide takes you to a frozen lake near the Arctic Circle and shows the traditional Finnish way of fishing through the ice. The operator lists trout, rainbow trout, perch and whitefish as the species in these lakes.

During the programme there are sausages and hot juice by the fire. The listing points out that the fishing takes place on natural ice and that moving around on it is at your own risk.

Included

• Transport from Rovaniemi city centre
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Ice fishing equipment
• Winter clothes (overalls, boots and gloves)
• Warm juice and sausages over a campfire
• Travel insurance

Highlights

• 20 minutes by people carrier, then a short walk to the lake
• An experienced local fisherman teaches the basics
• Edited photos to download after the tour
• At most 8 participants; you can fry what you catch

How the trip runs

A people carrier takes you about 20 minutes out of Rovaniemi, and a short walk leads to the lake. With a local fisherman you learn how to catch fish hiding under a metre of ice. The lake also suits landscape and wildlife photography, and the listing names a wilderness and photography guide.

The guide sets up a campfire for hot drinks and snacks. At the end, whatever you caught can be fried on the spot. A password for the edited photo collection follows after the tour.

Included

• Wilderness and photography guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transport by people carrier
• Ice fishing equipment
• Warm clothing and winter boots, if needed
• Hot drinks and snacks
• Edited photos to download

Highlights

• Pickup at your accommodation and a van ride to the operator's own lakeside property
• At most 8 guests
• Thermal overalls are included
• Hot drinks and grilled sausages by the fire

How the trip runs

A van collects you in Rovaniemi and drives to a lake the operator reaches from its own property. The guide shows the traditional way: drilling through the ice, then setting up the line. The listing names perch and pike as fish you might catch with luck.

While you wait, the guide makes hot drinks and grills sausages at the fire.

Included

• Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Rovaniemi
• Van transfers
• Guide trained in first aid
• Thermal overalls
• Ice fishing equipment
• Hot drinks and grilled sausages

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

• On the frozen Ounasjoki river
• The guide drills the hole for you
• Hot berry juice and grilled sausages
• From age 3

How the trip runs

A short outing onto the frozen Ounasjoki river. The guide drills a hole in the ice above several metres of clear water, and you wait for perch or other freshwater fish with a warm drink by the fire.

The listing does not mention a transfer, so check where the trip starts before you book.

Included

• Local ice-fishing guide
• Ice-fishing equipment
• Hot berry juice
• Grilled sausages

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