Helsinki: Ice fishing on Lake Bodom with local guide + lunch

Summary

Walk frozen Lake Bodom & try real Finnish ice fishing with locals

You’ll step onto frozen Lake Bodom near Helsinki and learn real ice fishing from a local guide using traditional gear. Drill your own hole in the ice, swap stories over steaming glögi by the fire in a cozy laavu shelter, and grill Finnish sausages (or veggie options) for lunch. It’s an easygoing day full of quiet moments and small joys you’ll remember long after you leave Finland.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the crunch — that weird, hollow sound your boots make when you step onto a frozen lake for the first time. Lake Bodom is only about 25 minutes from Helsinki, but it felt like we’d landed somewhere far quieter. Our guide, Jussi, grinned and handed me this tiny rod called a pilkki (I kept wanting to call it “pilkki-pilkki” for some reason). He showed us how to drill through the ice — not as easy as it looks in videos, trust me — and then we just sat there, waiting, watching our breath curl up into the pale sky.

I didn’t expect to enjoy the silence so much. There were other people out there too, scattered across the lake like little dots, but mostly it was just us and the wind. Jussi told stories about growing up in Finland and how everyone learns to fish before they can even ride a bike. He laughed when I tried to say “makkara” (the sausage) in Finnish — pretty sure I butchered it. When someone finally caught a perch (not me), everyone cheered like we’d won something big.

Afterwards we headed to this wooden shelter — a laavu, Jussi called it — where he built a fire with practiced hands. The smell of smoke mixed with snow and grilled sausage is something I still think about. We warmed up with hot glögi and those spiced piparri cookies that taste like Christmas. There was even a veggie option for my friend who doesn’t eat meat. It all felt simple but kind of perfect in its own way… you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ice Fishing and Sausage Grilling

• Walk on Lake Bodom to find fishing spot
• Learn to make hole in ice and use pilkki rod
• Ice fishing for perch, pike, and pike-perch
• Grill traditional sausages around fire in Laavu
• Enjoy glögi and piparri cookies

Top questions

How far is Lake Bodom from central Helsinki?

Lake Bodom is about 25 minutes by car from central Helsinki.

Is pickup included for this ice fishing tour?

Yes, pickup is included as part of your day trip from Helsinki.

What food is served during the experience?

You’ll get grilled Finnish sausages (“makkara”), vegetarian options if needed, hot glögi, and piparri cookies.

Do I need any fishing experience?

No experience is needed; your local guide will show you everything.

Are vegetarian options available for lunch?

Yes, there are vegetarian choices available alongside traditional sausages.

Is this activity suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Can I bring my service animal?

Service animals are allowed on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Helsinki, use of all ice fishing equipment on Lake Bodom with guidance from a local expert, plus grilled Finnish sausages or vegetarian options cooked over an open fire in a laavu shelter. You’ll also enjoy hot glögi and piparri cookies before heading back to town.