Ice Fishing on Lake Inari from Saariselkä: Catch & Cook

Cozy up by a crackling fire after a thrilling snowmobile ride on Lake Inari.

Ice fishing on Lake Inari is a five-hour activity starting from Saariselkä with hotel pickup, snowmobile transport to a nearby island, and hands-on instruction from a local guide in English. You fish with your own rod, grill sausages and coffee by the fire, and cook any fish you catch. The activity suits all fitness levels and welcomes children from age three.

The experience

The morning starts with pickup from your hotel or Holiday Club Saariselkä, then a drive through the Lapland landscape in a Multivan to Veskoniemi Marina on Lake Inari. From there, a short snowmobile ride takes you out to a nearby island. You can ride in a sleigh or walk alongside if you prefer to move under your own power. Once on the ice, a local guide sets up camp and teaches you ice fishing from the start, so even first-timers handle a rod and bait with confidence.

You fish with your own equipment, using worm or maggot to catch what Lake Inari holds. Between sessions, the guide grills sausages over a fire and brews coffee and tea, so you warm up and refuel without leaving the ice. If the catch is good, you cook the fish right there on the fire and eat it fresh. If the fishing is slow, the sausages and the fire are the memory anyway. The point is being out on the frozen lake with a guide who knows it.

What’s included

• Ice fishing equipment and your own rod.
• transportation by Multivan to the marina and by snowmobile sleigh to the island.
• sausage grilling over the campfire.
• coffee, tea and juice.
• snacks between fishing sessions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Trafinari

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so language learners and non-Finnish speakers follow the instruction and the day without strain. The five-hour window fits a free afternoon or a morning block in your Saariselkä itinerary without dominating the whole day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do I need to wear for ice fishing on Lake Inari?

Warm clothing is essential and not included with the activity, so bring insulated layers, a winter coat, gloves and a hat. The guide and the campfire help, but the ice is cold and the wind can be sharp.

Will I catch fish, or is this just a lesson?

Ice fishing on Lake Inari works year-round, and spring's warmth makes it especially good. You might catch fish or you might not: the guide teaches technique either way, and the sausages and coffee taste the same whether the rod bends or stays still.

How long is the snowmobile ride to the island?

The snowmobile ride from Veskoniemi Marina to the island is short, and you travel in a sleigh or on foot, so it is not a high-speed journey. The whole activity, from pickup to return, takes five hours.

Is the guide English-speaking?

The guide speaks English and teaches ice fishing instruction in English, so language is not a barrier to learning or to understanding what is happening on the ice.