What you might pull up through the ice near Levi
Lapland lakes commonly hold perch and pike, as well as whitefish. Any of them could take your lure. None of the five trips from Levi promises a fish, and plenty of people go home with nothing but cold fingers and a good story. This page explains how the fishing works and what to expect.
A catch is never guaranteed
Say it first, since every guide will say it too. Fish under the ice move slowly and feed when they choose, and no operator in Levi promises a catch on any of its trips.
Some groups pull up a few small fish, others nothing at all. Go for the lake and the quiet by the fire, and treat any fish as a bonus.
Fish common in Lapland lakes
The lakes of Finnish Lapland commonly hold European perch and northern pike. Whitefish live in many of them as well.
Which of these swim in the lake you visit is something only the guide can tell you on the day. None of the listings name the fish of a given lake, so we do not either.
Perch are the classic catch for a short rod and a small lure. Pike are larger hunters and far less likely to bite on a short tourist trip.
Under a metre of ice
Beyond Arctic's listing describes the fish hiding under ice around one meter (about 3 feet) thick. That is why a hand auger is the first tool out of the bag.
Drilling through takes effort and a little technique, and most guides let guests have a go. On Safartica's safari at ~$234, the guide teaches you to drill the hole and to prepare the rod and bait yourself.
On Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park's trip at ~$190, the guide shows how to make the hole as well. Thick ice is also what makes it safe for a group to stand on, with a guide who knows the lake.
How the fishing works
Ice fishing in Finland is simple. You drop a small lure or bait down the hole on a thin line from a short rod, then jig the rod gently to make the lure flutter.
- Sit or kneel close to the hole so the line hangs straight
- Lift and drop the tip in short, slow movements
- Watch the line for a twitch, since bites under the ice are often faint
- Clear the slush from the hole now and then so it does not freeze over
The Finns call this pilkkiminen, and patience is most of it. Gear is part of every trip, so you bring nothing but warm clothes.
Moving to find the fish
Fish gather in some spots and avoid others. On Beyond Arctic's trip at ~$117, the listing says the guide changed spots several times to find a better one.
A guide who moves you is working for your chances, not wasting your time. Each new hole means another round with the auger, which also keeps you warm.
The cold itself slows the fishing too. Our guide to deep frost days covers what happens on the ice when the temperature falls far below zero.
A guide who moves spots for you
Beyond Arctic keeps the group to eight, drives about 20 minutes to the lake and moves the hunt when the fish stay quiet. You also leave with a few photos from the guide.
What happens to the fish you catch
Safartica's safari is the one trip whose listing lets a fresh catch join the lunch soup. If someone lands a fish, it may end up in the pot by the fire.
Our guide to eating on the ice covers the food on each trip. On the others, ask your guide what happens to anything you land.
Reviews on the listings mostly mention small fish, if any. Large pike are rare on a short trip, so arrive hoping for perch.
Improving your odds a little
Nothing you do can promise a bite, but a few habits help. Keep the lure moving slowly, stay patient at one hole for a while before giving up, and listen to the guide.
Warm hands make for a better feel on the line. Our page on dressing for the ice covers gloves you can fish in, and the guide to the ice season covers when the days are longer and milder.
Keep still and quiet near the hole. Fish under thick ice are not easily scared, but heavy stamping right beside the hole does not help anyone in the group.
Rods and lures (or bait)
The rods used for ice fishing are short, often well under a metre, because you sit right above the hole. There is no casting, so a beginner learns the basics in a few minutes.
Lures are small, sometimes with a little bait on the hook. The guide sets up the line for you, and on Safartica's safari you learn to prepare the rod and bait yourself.
Every trip lends its own gear, and three of the listings name the fishing equipment outright. You do not need a fishing licence on a guided trip either; our page on fishing rules explains why.
Fishing as part of a bigger day
A catch makes a good photo, but most guests remember other things. The quiet of a frozen lake far from the ski slopes, and the warmth of the fire after the cold, tend to stay with people longer.
If fish are your main goal, a longer trip gives you more time at the hole. Safartica's five-hour safari is the longest here, though part of it goes on the ride and the lunch.
If the day out matters more, any of the five will do. Our price comparison sets them side by side. The snowmobile or minivan page covers how you reach the lake.