Fairbanks: Chena Lake Ice Fishing with Cookout & Heated Shelter

Summary

Chena Lake ice fishing with local guides and grilled fish supper

You’ll meet your guide right at Chena Lake for a real Alaskan ice fishing day — drilling your own hole, warming up in cozy shelters with hot drinks, and grilling your catch for supper. There’s plenty of help if you’re new (like I was), plus all the gear is ready for you. It’s less about big catches and more about sharing laughs and stories in the crisp winter air.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sound — not silence, but this muffled crunch under my boots as I crossed the snow toward the little fishing cabins on Chena Lake. The air smelled sharp, almost metallic, and I kept blowing clouds just to watch them drift. Our guide, Matt (he grew up nearby), waved us over with a thermos in hand and asked if anyone had ever held an ice auger before. I hadn’t — turns out it’s heavier than it looks. He laughed when I tried to drill my own hole (“It’s like making your own front door,” he said), and then showed me how to set up the rod and bait without losing my gloves to the cold.

I liked that we could duck into the heated shelter whenever our fingers started to ache — someone always seemed to have hot cocoa going. There were underwater cameras too; watching a fish nose around my bait felt weirdly suspenseful, like waiting for a text that never comes. When I finally caught one (not huge, but still), Matt showed me how to clean it right there on the ice. My hands smelled like lake water and fish for hours after, but honestly? Didn’t mind at all.

We cooked what we caught on a little grill outside the cabin — smoky, salty, nothing fancy but so satisfying after sitting out in that cold. A couple from Anchorage shared stories about their worst fishing fails while we ate; everyone laughed when someone’s hat blew off across the lake. It wasn’t really about catching a trophy or anything — more just being there together, cheeks red from wind and coffee, learning this old Alaskan thing side by side. Sometimes I still think about how quiet it got right before sunset, just us and that huge sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ice fishing experience at Chena Lake

• Check in with fishing guide
• Attend safety briefing
• Receive gear, bait, and instructions
• Set up fishing hole and seat
• Fish inside heated shelters or outside
• Use underwater cameras and equipment
• Learn to clean fish or set holes
• Enjoy grilled fish cook-out

Top questions

How do I get to Chena Lake for the ice fishing tour?

You’ll receive directions by email after booking; meet your guide directly at the lake’s fishing cabins.

Is equipment provided for ice fishing?

Yes, all gear including rod, bait, seat, and tools are included in your tour.

Are heated shelters available during the tour?

Yes, heated shelters and cabins are available throughout your time on the ice.

Is food included on this Chena Lake ice fishing trip?

You’ll grill and eat your own catch as a light meal at the end of the experience.

Can children join this Fairbanks ice fishing tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; infants can ride in a stroller or sit on laps.

Do I need prior experience for this Chena Lake activity?

No experience needed—your local guide will teach you everything step by step.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your professional fishing guide at Chena Lake with all rods, bait, seats, and tools provided; access to heated shelters with hot drinks like cocoa or tea; hands-on help learning techniques; use of underwater cameras; plus grilling your fresh-caught fish for supper before heading home warm and full.