Ice Fishing and Aurora Chasing from Fairbanks: Full Night Custom

Fish beneath the ice, chase the lights on your own schedule

Ice fishing and aurora chasing activity from Fairbanks that runs as long as you want it to. You call the end time, anywhere from 11pm to 4am. Spend four hours on a frozen lake with an ice fishing expert and underwater cameras, cook and eat what you catch, then snowshoe through the forest and chase the aurora across the interior, with transportation, dinner, hot drinks, and five edited aurora photos included.

The experience

You leave Fairbanks around noon and drive southeast for roughly 90 minutes to a frozen lake in the Salcha River Basin, with stops to photograph the landscape along the way. Once there, you meet the ice fishing guide at his heated fishing shelter: a luxury setup designed for comfort and warmth, not crowds. For four hours you learn to fish through the ice, watch the catch on underwater cameras, and eat lunch or dinner cooked on site from the fish you land. The guide stays with you the whole time, fishing alongside you and sharing stories about living in Alaska's interior. A restroom is built into the shelter.

After fishing, you have a campfire, roast marshmallows, and snowshoe through the winter forest: easy, casual terrain that lets you move at your own pace. Once it's dark enough for the aurora, you and the guide decide where to position yourselves for the best viewing: it might be right there on the lake, or you might chase further south toward Delta Junction or back toward Fairbanks, depending on where the lights are strongest. You stay out as long as you want. The guide handles aurora photography and gives you five edited photos from the night. Throughout, you get hot cocoa, coffee or tea, and learn the science behind the phenomenon.

A one-day Alaska fishing license is required and purchased separately through Alaska Fish and Game. Kids under 16 fish free. The guide provides links to buy it. You'll want extra warm clothing beyond what you normally wear in winter.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation from Fairbanks to the frozen lake.
• four hours of guided ice fishing with an expert guide who fishes alongside you.
• use of the heated luxury ice fishing shelter with restroom.
• lunch or dinner cooked from your catch.
• snowshoeing through the forest.
• full night of aurora viewing and chasing with aurora science discussion.
• five edited aurora photos from the night.
• help with photography on your phone or camera.
• simple snacks and hot cocoa, coffee or tea.
• extra perks based on weather conditions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 27 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 15

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Wandering Alaska LLC

Is this one for you?The activity runs 16 hours total and stays out as late as you want it to, you control when to return, so it suits anyone willing to stay up chasing the lights rather than keeping to a fixed schedule. The snowshoeing is easy and casual, and ice fishing requires no prior experience, so fitness level is not a barrier.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How long does the ice fishing part actually last?

You spend four hours on the frozen lake with the guide, learning to fish, watching the underwater cameras, and eating a meal cooked from your catch.

Can I stay out chasing the aurora as late as I want?

Yes, you call the end time. The activity can wrap up at 11pm or run until 4am, depending on when you're ready to head back to Fairbanks.

What happens if the aurora doesn't show up?

Aurora viewing and chasing are included for the full night. The guide discusses the science behind the phenomenon and positions you for the best chance to see it, but visibility depends on weather and solar activity.

Do I need to bring my own fishing gear?

No, the guide provides everything for ice fishing. You'll need a one-day fishing license (purchased separately through Alaska Fish and Game, with links provided) and warm clothing beyond your normal winter gear.

What's included in the dinner?

The guide cooks a meal from the fish you catch during the four-hour session, plus provides simple snacks and hot drinks throughout the night.

How far is the frozen lake from Fairbanks?

The drive is roughly 90 minutes southeast to the Salcha River Basin, with photo stops along the way. Round-trip transportation from the Fairbanks area is included.