Lake Inari Ice Fishing & Reindeer Safari from Ivalo

Catch Arctic Fish by Snowmobile on Finland's Third Largest Lake

You're picked up from your Ivalo hotel and driven to Koppelo, where you board a snowmobile-pulled sleigh across Lake Inari to a secret fishing spot. Your guide teaches you ice fishing basics, you catch what you can, then travel by snowmobile to an island to meet and feed two reindeer. Lunch and hot drinks arrive in a heated teepee with an open fire. Thermal clothes and boots are provided, and you return to your hotel by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ice fishing and reindeer visit

• Get warm thermal clothing
• Travel to Koppelo village
• Ride snowmobile-pulled sleigh
• Receive ice fishing instructions
• Fish using worm or maggot
• Visit island to feed reindeers
• Have lunch and hot drinks

The experience

The snowmobile engine cuts through the silence as you leave Koppelo village behind, runners hissing across the frozen surface of Lake Inari. Your guide sits ahead, and the landscape opens up in all directions: white, empty, and somehow alive. This is the 4-hour ice fishing safari from Ivalo, and it starts the moment you step out of the heated office in thermal clothes and boots that actually fit, which matters more than you'd think when the air temperature is what it is.

The fishing itself is simple and absorbing. Your guide walks you through the basics (how to cut the hole, how to hold the rod, whether to use worm or maggot), and then you're standing on the ice with your own line, waiting. Lake Inari is the third largest lake in Finland and holds over 3,000 islands, so there's a lot of water beneath you, but the guide knows the secret spots. People who come here worried they'd be bored if they didn't catch anything always seem surprised by how much they don't mind. The cold sharpens everything. The light changes. You notice things.

After fishing, the snowmobile pulls you across to a small island where two reindeer are waiting. They're calm and used to visitors, and you feed them by hand: another moment that lands differently than you expect. Then comes the part everyone talks about afterward: lunch in a traditional Lappish teepee with an open fire burning in the center. Hot drinks, proper food, warmth seeping back into your fingers. The guide sits with you, and the day settles into something you'll remember in the specific way you remember cold and firelight together.

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Ivalo are included, so you don't arrange transport or worry about timing. Vegetarian options are available if you mention dietary needs when you book. The whole thing runs 4 hours, which is long enough to feel like a real day but short enough to fit into a winter itinerary without eating the whole schedule.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Ivalo.
• warm thermal clothing and insulated shoes.
• local experienced guide.
• snowmobile and sleigh transport across Lake Inari.
• ice fishing instruction and equipment.
• reindeer encounter on a small island.
• lunch and hot drinks served in a traditional Lappish teepee with open fire.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 to 75 years) · Infant (7 to 12 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

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 7 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Ivalo Safaris / Lenje Avoin Yhtiö

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full Arctic experience without arranging separate activities: the guide, transport, clothes and meals are all handled, so you show up at your hotel and step out into the day ready to go.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (7 to 12 years). Children under 7 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 wear for ice fishing in Lapland?

Thermal clothes and insulated shoes are provided at the office in Ivalo before you leave. Bring warm layers underneath and a hat, gloves and scarf from your own gear.

How long is the ice fishing safari?

The full experience is 4 hours, including travel by snowmobile, fishing time, the reindeer encounter, and lunch in the teepee.

Do I need experience to ice fish?

No. Your guide gives you instructions on the ice and hands you a fishing rod. It's designed for beginners and experienced anglers alike.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and hot drinks are served in a traditional Lappish teepee with an open fire. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking.

What is Lake Inari?

Lake Inari is Finland's third largest lake, located in Lapland. It contains over 3,000 islands and is a traditional fishing destination.

Will I meet reindeer?

Yes. After fishing, you travel by snowmobile to a small island where you can meet and feed two friendly reindeer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. The tour includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Ivalo.

Can I do this if I'm not interested in fishing?

Yes. The tour description notes it's a great experience even for people who aren't focused on fishing: the snowmobile ride, reindeer encounter, and teepee lunch are the main draws for many visitors.