Ice Fishing in Rovaniemi with Kids: What to Expect

Ice fishing in Rovaniemi was one of the most unique winter activities we tried during our family trip to Finnish Lapland. We booked the Ice Fishing Like a Finn excursion at Apukka Resort, where our family bundled into warm winter gear, rode out to a frozen lake, drilled through the ice, learned how to fish, and cooked our catch right on the lake.

This guide covers what families can expect from an ice fishing excursion in Rovaniemi, including how the tour works, what gear is provided, whether it is good for kids, how much patience is required, and what made this one of our favorite Arctic experiences.

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What to Know Before Ice Fishing in Rovaniemi with Kids

We booked through Apukka Resort. Our tour was the Ice Fishing Like a Finn excursion, which is designed for beginners and families.
Dress for sitting on the ice. We had our own winter gear, but families should confirm what is included with their tour and make sure everyone has warm outerwear, boots, gloves, and hats.
Plan for about 2.5 hours. The experience is long enough to feel like a full Arctic adventure but still manageable for kids.
Ice conditions matter. The activity runs only when the ice layer is confirmed thick enough.
Patience is part of the experience. Catching a fish is exciting, but the real fun is drilling through the ice, sitting on the frozen lake, and experiencing a Finnish winter tradition.

What is Rovaniemi Finland?

Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and the official hometown of Santa Claus. It sits near the Arctic Circle and is one of the easiest places in Finland for families to experience snowy landscapes, winter tours, Santa Claus Village, reindeer rides, husky adventures, and Northern Lights excursions.

For our family, Rovaniemi worked well because we could combine classic Lapland activities with kid-friendly logistics. Ice fishing was one of the quieter excursions we booked, but it ended up being one of the most memorable because it gave us a slower, more traditional winter experience.

Ice Fishing in Finland

Ice fishing in Finland is a traditional winter activity where people fish through holes drilled into frozen lakes. It is simple, quiet, and very different from the faster-paced Arctic excursions families often book in Lapland.

For kids, the fun is not only in catching a fish. Our girls enjoyed drilling through the ice, learning how to use the short fishing rods, watching the guide explain the process, and sitting on the frozen lake surrounded by snow. It was a good reminder that not every memorable family adventure has to be fast or loud.

The most common catch? Perch and pike! If you’re lucky, you’ll get to cook your catch right on the ice. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned angler, ice fishing in Finland is an unforgettable way to experience the culture and embrace winter.

Apukka Resort

We booked our ice fishing excursion through Apukka Resort, located just outside central Rovaniemi, near Santa Claus Village. Apukka offers several winter activities, including ice fishing, reindeer experiences, husky rides, snowmobile tours, and Northern Lights excursions.

Transportation options and shuttle schedules can change, so check your booking details before your tour. During our visit, getting to Apukka from Santa Claus Village was easy, and the short ride gave us a chance to enjoy the snowy Lapland scenery before the excursion began.

Checking In

Once we arrived at Apukka, check-in was easy. The activity area was well-marked, and the staff helped everyone get organized before the tour started.

We already had our own winter gear, which worked well for this excursion. The key is making sure everyone is dressed warmly enough to sit outside on a frozen lake, not just walk around for a few minutes. Warm boots, gloves, hats, and good outer layers make a big difference with kids.

Getting to the Lake

Once our group was ready, we headed outside for the ride to the lake. During our tour, we traveled by a snowmobile-pulled sled, which was a highlight for the girls before we even started fishing.

The ride was short, snowy, and fun, and then we arrived at a frozen lake where the guide set up the fishing area. This part of the experience made the tour feel like a true Arctic adventure, especially for kids who had never been on a frozen lake before.

Learning How to Ice Fish

Once we were on the ice, our guide explained how ice fishing works and showed everyone how to drill a hole through the frozen lake. The girls loved trying the hand auger, and Spider Monkey especially enjoyed it.

After the holes were ready, the guide handed out short fishing rods and bait. All of the fishing equipment was provided, so we did not need to bring anything special for the activity.

There was also a small grill area set up on the ice, with warm food and drinks available during the experience. Having a snack break made the tour feel more comfortable for the kids and gave everyone a chance to warm up between fishing attempts.

This was such a fun and educational way to learn about a beloved Finnish tradition. The guide also shared fun facts about the lake, local fish species, and how the locals enjoy ice fishing as a weekend ritual. We all felt like we were part of something really special.

Try and Try Again

Ice fishing takes patience, and that was part of the lesson. We each picked a spot, dropped our lines into the holes, and waited. Buttercup stayed especially focused and was determined to catch her first fish in Finland.

Dustin caught the first fish of the day, a perch, and everyone cheered while our guide helped prepare it. The fish was cooked right there on the ice, along with reindeer sausage. Buttercup took a bite and declared it the best fish ever.

The rest of us did not catch anything, but it did not matter. Sitting on a frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered trees was peaceful, funny, cold, and memorable all at once. This ended up being one of those activities where the experience mattered more than the outcome.

Returning to Santa Claus Village

After our ice fishing adventure, we loaded back into the snowmobile sled and headed toward Apukka Resort. The sky was already turning pink and golden as the early Arctic sunset began. It felt like a magical end to a beautiful day. When we arrived at the resort, we found out the shuttle bus had just left! Rather than wait an hour for the next one, we ordered an Uber. It was a quick ride back to Santa Claus Village and gave us more time to explore. The sun sets around 2:30 or 3 in winter, so we didn’t want to waste a minute.

Is Ice Fishing in Rovaniemi Worth It with Kids?

Yes, ice fishing in Rovaniemi was worth it for our family, especially because it offered a slower, more traditional Lapland experience. It was not as fast-paced as a husky ride or reindeer sleigh ride, but that was part of what made it special.

This is a good excursion for families who want something hands-on, outdoors, and connected to Finnish winter culture. Kids need enough patience to sit and wait for a bite, but the gear, snowmobile sled ride, ice drilling, snacks, and frozen lake setting helped keep the experience engaging.

The Family Verdict

Ice fishing in Rovaniemi was a huge win for our family. It gave us time to slow down, enjoy the snowy landscape, and try something that felt very different from the rest of our Lapland itinerary.

I loved watching Buttercup take the fishing so seriously, and Dustin was thrilled to catch the first fish. Even though the rest of us did not catch anything, the frozen lake, warm snacks, snow-covered trees, and the quiet Arctic setting made this one of our favorite memories in Finland.

Make sure to check out our other Finnish Lapland adventures at Santa Claus Village, a Finnish husky farm, a reindeer farm in Rovaniemi, and SantaPark in Finnish Lapland. You can also read about our time in Helsinki, our day trip to Tallinn, and our full Finnish Lapland itinerary for families.

Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.

Recommended Supplies

Don’t miss out on these recommended supplies for your family adventure!

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