REVIEW · IVALO
Saariselkä: Ice Fishing Tour to Lake Inari, reindeers& lunch
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Ivalo Safaris · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Lake Inari does not look small from the ice. This Saariselkä tour mixes ice fishing on a famous lake with a stop to meet reindeer on a quiet island.
I especially like the hands-on pacing and the human touch: a small group, a local guide, and a warm 3-course lunch served in a teepee by an open fire. The only real drawback to plan around is that a fish catch is not guaranteed, since you’re fishing in winter conditions that can be hit-or-miss.
In This Review
- Key things I’d bet you’ll care about
- How the 5-hour Lake Inari day actually runs from Saariselkä
- From Ivalo office to Koppelo sledges (and why it matters)
- Ice fishing on Lake Inari: rods, worm or maggot, and real expectations
- The reindeer island meet: photos with Tina and Tapio
- 3-course lunch in a lapplish teepee by open fire
- Price and value: what $222 really covers
- Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)
- Should you book Ivalo Safaris’ Inari ice fishing day?
- FAQ
- How long is the ice fishing tour to Lake Inari?
- What’s the group size?
- Where is pickup, and is there an extra fee for some hotels?
- What winter gear is included?
- Do I get fishing equipment and bait?
- Do you meet reindeer on the island?
- What is lunch like during the tour?
- Is there a vegetarian option?
- What language is the guide?
- Who should not book this tour?
Key things I’d bet you’ll care about
- Small group (up to 10) keeps the guide’s attention focused when you’re learning.
- Sleaves-and-snow travel: you switch from minibus to sleigh pulled by a snowmobile for the “Lapland in motion” feel.
- Fishing bait is included: you’ll use worm or maggot and get your own rod.
- Reindeer island meet-up happens on land that’s lived in year-round by Tina and Tapio.
- Lunch is the main warmth anchor: 3 courses plus hot berry juice in a teepee by an open fire.
How the 5-hour Lake Inari day actually runs from Saariselkä
This is a tight, 5-hour outing, designed to keep you outside long enough to feel the winter—but not long enough to get cold. It starts with pickup from Saariselkä by minibuss. From there, you move toward the Ivalo area, where you handle the most important early step: getting properly dressed for the cold.
The tour flow is simple:
1) Pickup and thermal gear
2) Drive to Koppelo
3) Sleigh ride over snow to a secret fishing spot on Lake Inari
4) Ice-fishing instructions and your time on the ice
5) Transfer to a small island to meet reindeer
6) Home-made 3-course lunch in a teepee by open fire
A detail I like for practical planning: the schedule is built around movement and warmth breaks. Even if your fishing isn’t fast, you’re not left hanging. You’ll still get the island stop and the full hot meal.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ivalo.
From Ivalo office to Koppelo sledges (and why it matters)
Before you ever touch an ice hole, the operator gives you warm thermal clothing and shoes. That’s not a small detail. In Lapland, the difference between a fun winter day and a miserable one is usually footwear and insulation, not enthusiasm.
Once you’re geared up, there’s a short drive to a small village called Koppelo. This is where the tour shifts into the classic winter transport: snowmobiles and sledges waiting for you. You’ll travel to your fishing place in comfort, riding in a sleigh pulled by a snowmobile while you watch the lake and winter scenery go by.
One consideration: this is not a laid-back walk. You’ll be outdoors in winter gear, and you’ll sit through the sled ride segments. If you’re sensitive to cold sitting time, dress with extra care on the layers you wear under the provided thermal set.
Ice fishing on Lake Inari: rods, worm or maggot, and real expectations
At the secret fishing spot on Lake Inari, a local guide gives instructions. You get your own fishing rod, and you start fishing in a very “local style” way. The bait you’ll use is either worm or maggot—simple, classic, and winter-ready.
Here’s the part to plan mentally: ice fishing is not a factory line. Even on well-run tours, the day’s fish activity can vary. Some people may catch fish quickly; others might spend the session focused on technique, without landing anything. I’d still go for the main value, which is learning from the guide and spending time on a frozen lake that feels remote and proper.
A small-group format helps here. With a group limited to 10 participants, you’re more likely to get quick corrections—how to handle the rod, how to position your line, and what to pay attention to when the action starts.
The reindeer island meet: photos with Tina and Tapio
After fishing, you drive to a small island. This is one of the most charming parts of the tour, because it’s not a theme-park moment. Owners Tina and Tapio live there year-round, so you’re getting a real slice of daily life rather than a staged photo stop.
On the island, you’ll meet two friendly reindeers and take photos. The point isn’t just seeing them—it’s the contrast between the busy-tour world and a place that feels more settled, more lived-in, and quieter.
If you travel with kids, this stop is usually a win. In one account, the guide’s stories and the animals made a strong impression, and even non-fishing family members loved the visit. For adults, it’s the same idea, just with a different lens: you see how people connect to their landscape and animals in winter, not just how to take a quick picture.
3-course lunch in a lapplish teepee by open fire
When winter days feel long, lunch is what saves them. Here, lunch is served in a warm Lapplish teepee by an open fire, and it’s built as a home-made 3-course meal.
You’ll also get hot berry juice, which is a very “Finnish winter comfort” kind of drink—warm, sweet, and easy to sip when your hands are still getting used to cold air.
What you eat depends on the day and the kitchen’s plan: the meal can include local reindeer meat or fish, with a vegetarian option available by request. If you have dietary needs, this is the moment to be clear in advance so the kitchen can prepare properly.
This lunch setup is also why I think the tour is worth considering even if you’re not obsessed with fishing. Ice fishing can be technical, but the teepee meal turns the day into something social and memorable. It’s warm, it’s local, and it feels like you’re being fed—not just processed.
Price and value: what $222 really covers
At $222 per person for a 5-hour tour, it’s not cheap. But you’re also paying for several cost-heavy ingredients:
- Transport from Saariselkä and transfers during the day
- Thermal clothing and shoes (huge for value, since you don’t have to rent gear separately)
- A local experienced guide plus small-group attention
- Winter transport elements like sleigh and snowmobile segments
- A full home-made lunch in a teepee by open fire
If you’re already planning to buy or rent winter gear, this can tip the value in your favor. And if you want to do Lake Inari fishing without figuring out equipment, safety basics, and the timing on your own, this structure is the trade-off you’re buying: someone handles the hard parts.
One more practical note: the pickup is included from Saariselkä, but if you’re staying in the Kakslauttanen / Kiilopää area, pickup costs an extra 20 € per person. If you’re in those zones, factor it in before you decide.
Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)
This is an outdoor winter day, run by a small team, limited to 10 participants. It’s led in English by a live guide.
It’s also not for everyone. The operator lists these limits:
- Children under 7
- Pregnant women
- Wheelchair users
- People over 70 (and also marked as not suitable for people over 75)
If you’re in the target age and comfort range, you’ll likely enjoy the mix of activities: ice-fishing practice, a special reindeer island, and a proper warm meal. If you hate cold sitting time, consider how you’ll handle thermal gear and outdoor transfers. This isn’t a quick walk; it’s a winter outing with real time outside.
Should you book Ivalo Safaris’ Inari ice fishing day?
I’d book this tour if you want a day that feels authentically Lapland, not just a checklist. The combination of Lake Inari time, reindeer on a year-round island with Tina and Tapio, and the open-fire teepee lunch makes it more than an ice-fishing lesson.
I wouldn’t book it only if you’re mainly chasing guaranteed fish. The fishing part is included and guided, but winter lakes don’t promise results. For most people, the real win is the full experience: learning on the ice and then getting genuinely warm, local food afterward.
If you’re deciding between doing this with a guide versus going on your own, this is the easier route. The operator supplies the gear, handles transport, and keeps the group small—so you spend your energy on enjoying the day rather than figuring out the logistics.
FAQ
How long is the ice fishing tour to Lake Inari?
The tour lasts 5 hours.
What’s the group size?
The group is limited to 10 participants.
Where is pickup, and is there an extra fee for some hotels?
Pickup is from Saariselkä by minibuss. If you need pickup from the Kakslauttanen / Kiilopää area, it costs an extra 20 € per person.
What winter gear is included?
You get warm thermal clothing and shoes.
Do I get fishing equipment and bait?
Yes. You’ll receive your own fishing rod, and you’ll fish using worm or maggot.
Do you meet reindeer on the island?
Yes. After fishing, you visit a small island where owners Tina and Tapio live year-round, and you can meet two friendly reindeers and take photos.
What is lunch like during the tour?
Lunch is a home-made 3-course meal served in a warm Lapplish teepee by an open fire, plus hot berry juice.
Is there a vegetarian option?
Yes, a vegetarian option is available by request.
What language is the guide?
The tour has a live English guide.
Who should not book this tour?
It’s not suitable for children under 7, pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people over 70 (with an additional note of not suitable for people over 75).
