Ice Fishing by Foot on Lake Ylläsjärvi – Slow Adventure with North Wind Lapland

Ice Fishing by Foot on Lake Ylläsjärvi – Slow Down Adventure with North Wind Lapland

When people imagine Lapland, they often picture huskies running in the snow or snowmobiles racing across white fells. But there is another, quieter side to winter here – one that has kept local families alive for generations: ice fishing.

In Ylläsjärvi, you don’t need to go far into the wilderness to experience it. With North Wind Lapland, you simply step out of the Safari House, walk a few minutes to frozen Lake Ylläsjärvi, and begin your own little Arctic ritual – drill, wait, listen, and maybe… feel that magical tug on your line.

Slow adventure in front of the village: ice fishing by foot on Lake Ylläsjärvi is peaceful, low-impact, and perfect for families, first-timers and anyone curious about local life in Finnish Lapland.

Why Lake Ylläsjärvi is perfect for ice fishing

Lake Ylläsjärvi lies right at the edge of the village, at the foot of the Ylläs fells. In winter it transforms into a flat, white world of snow and ice, surrounded by forests and distant, gentle hills.

Because the lake is so close, there’s no need for a long transfer or noisy engines. You simply follow your guide on foot, leaving the last houses behind as you walk onto the frozen surface. The silence grows with each step – only the crunch of snow under your boots and the occasional call of a bird.

This is what makes the experience special: it feels wild, but it’s still safe and accessible for families and first-timers.

From Safari House to the ice – by foot, like locals

The adventure starts at North Wind Lapland’s Safari House, right by Lake Ylläsjärvi. There, your guide helps you get ready with warm winter overalls and boots if needed. No need to stress about equipment – everything for ice fishing is provided: augers for drilling, scoops for cleaning the hole, small rods and bait.

A short walk later, you step onto the frozen lake. Your guide chooses a good spot – maybe a place where locals have been fishing for decades – and shows you how to drill through up to a meter of ice. It’s surprisingly satisfying to break through and see dark water appear under the thick white layer.

Then comes the calm part:

• You lower the line through the hole.
• You gently move the rod, feeling for the slightest vibration.
• You watch the small opening in the ice, knowing that below, fish are slowly swimming in the cold, black water.

Whether you catch a lot, a little, or nothing at all, you are doing something truly local – the way people in this village have fished in winter for generations.

Comfort on the ice: reindeer skins, hot drinks & stories

Ice fishing is not just about the fish. It’s about slowing down and enjoying the moment.

On the lake, your guide sets up a simple, cozy “camp” on the ice. You can sit or lie down on reindeer skins, wrapped in winter clothing, sipping a hot drink while you keep an eye on your fishing hole.

This is also the perfect time for stories. Your guide might tell you:

• How villagers used to come to the same lake to fish for food in the past.
• Why ice fishing is still a favourite weekend hobby for local families.
• How the seasons change the way people live, fish, and travel in Lapland.

On clear days, the light can be incredible – soft pastel colours, long shadows, and sometimes fog rising from the snow. Photographers love this tour: the minimalistic landscape, small fishing holes in the ice, steam from a hot drink, and happy faces wrapped in woollen hats.

A short, family-friendly Arctic experience

North Wind Lapland’s ice-fishing-by-foot experience lasts about 2 hours – long enough to taste real Arctic life, but short enough for children and anyone who doesn’t want a full-day excursion.

It’s ideal if you:

• Travel with kids and want something calm and safe.
• Prefer slow, low-impact activities instead of engines and speed.
• Are curious about local life and traditions.
• Love photography and quiet moments in nature.

Because you start right from the village and walk to the lake, there’s no rush. The rhythm is relaxed, the group size is small, and the guide can easily adapt the pace and explanations to your needs.

What’s included – and what you should wear

On the dedicated experience page, you’ll find the full list of inclusions, but in short, North Wind Lapland provides:

• Ice fishing equipment (drills, rods, bait, scoops).
• Warm winter clothing if needed (overalls, boots).
• A professional local guide.
• A hot drink and a small snack to enjoy on the ice.

You should still wear:

• Thermal base layers (top & bottom).
• Warm socks.
• A hat, scarf or buff, and gloves.
• A good mood and some patience – fish don’t always bite immediately!

More than a catch: a memory you’ll keep

Sometimes you will catch a fish. Sometimes the fish are smarter and stay away. That’s part of the game.

But what most people remember is:

• The feeling of standing on thick ice, surrounded by open white space.
• The satisfaction of drilling their own fishing hole.
• The warmth of the hot drink in their hands.
• The stories and laughter shared with the guide and other guests.

It’s the kind of memory that comes back later, when you’re back home in a busy city and suddenly remember that, once, you sat on a frozen lake in Finnish Lapland, listening to the silence and waiting for a fish.

How to book your ice-fishing adventure

If you’d like to try ice fishing by foot on Lake Ylläsjärvi, you can book the experience directly through North Wind Lapland’s website on the “Ice-Fishing By Foot On Lake Ylläsjärvi” page, or visit their office in Ylläsjärvi village.

Combine it with a snowshoe hike, a snowmobile tour, or a reindeer or husky safari, and you have the perfect winter day in Ylläs – a mix of excitement, tradition, and peaceful Arctic moments.

Ready to try ice fishing by foot on Lake Ylläsjärvi?
Book your experience on the Ice-Fishing page at North Wind Lapland fishing by foot in Ylläsjärvi or visit us in Ylläsjärvi village.