No Fish, No Problem: Trying Ice Fishing and Floating in Rovaniemi

Of all the activities we booked for our 7 day Saariselka and Rovaniemi trip, the ice fishing was probably the most random.

For some reason, I can remember, vividly, an episode of Looney Tunes where Daffy Duck is ice fishing and refuses to leave despite an avalanche warning. That image of sitting on the ice with a fishing line dropping into a perfectly circular hole and just waiting.

It was something I knew I wanted on my bucket list when I started making it.

So, maybe it wasn’t so random after all. Maybe it was inevitable and I just needed to go somewhere cold enough to do it.

While browsing Manawa for outdoor activities in Rovaniemi, I found a reasonably priced full day ice fishing and ice floating combo that suggested a bit of snowshoe trekking as well.

Ice Fishing: Apply Elbow Grease As Necessary

After everyone was picked up around Rovaniemi, we headed to Lake Norva, about 30 minutes out of the city. Putting on snowshoes, we warmed up with a nice stroll through some deep snow in the nearby woods. We cut back onto the frozen lake where our guide, Dani, reassures us that despite the soft snow underfoot, the ice layer is a solid 1 meter thick.

The snowshoe trek was not in the itinerary, so you kind of get it as a mini bonus adventure.

Back at the starting point, Dani pulls out a sled packed with folding chairs, fishing reels, and some massive drills, called ice fishing augers. They each look like a giant corkscrew, and how we were going to get through a solid meter of ice.

It’s not easy. You prop one hand on top for pressure and rotate the handle with the other until you can’t handle the burn. And then you take a short break or tag your partner in. It took quite a bit of effort and elbow grease. Like throwing your body weight not it kind of effort. We took turns and my friend, Naomi, convinces me to do 80% of the work as part of my daily workout since we weren’t hitting a gym.

If you’re planning a trip to Lapland, you can READ ABOUT WHAT WE DID AND OUR RECOMMENDATIONS.

Breaking Through

Slowly, the auger lowered further and further into the ice, before we eventually broke through after a solid 20 to 30 minutes.

Unlike the cartoons that always have a ‘thin ice’ sign posted nearby, this ice was pretty damn thick.

Dropping onto my tiny chair, I was ready to fulfill this long time dream. I just didn’t think I’d be doing it with a a plastic rod and reel that looks more like a toy than a serious fisherman’s tool.

After sitting quietly for about 10 minutes, Naomi yells out that she’s got first bite. I confirm that something is pulling on the line. And before we even have a chance to react or take a photo, the line snaps. Maybe, these were toy rods.

And then half an hour later, I get a bite or a snag, and this time the top of the pole snapped along with the line. No catch.

Determined, we drill another hole and decide not to give up so easily. But nearly an hour goes by, and the cold has finally started to penetrate my down jacket. We join the others inside the ‘kota,’ a wooden winter refuge cabin, around a warm wood fire. Dani had been grilling salmon just in case we came back empty-handed, which we all did. We washed it down with some bread and hot berry juice. A very Finnish thing. It was rustic, but delicious.

Ice Floating: Embracing The Awkward

Once we had some warmth back in our hands, it was time for the ice floating.

I kind of had to convince Naomi that this would be fun. She’s a good sport and is always up for my random, stupid suggestions. Getting into the floating neoprene drysuit is half the fun and half the work. The thick bright red onesie turns everyone into a waddling marshmallow. You keep most of your layers on underneath, and then attempt to zip up without dislocating a shoulder.

In the end, I couldn’t get mine fully sealed, which came back to haunt me the moment a rush of icy water found its way down my neckline. Better than any caffeine to wake you up.

But even with the awkward waddle to the water, there’s something relaxing about fallingback in freezing water and trusting that you will just float and stay dry. At least the first part was true.

So there, I was floating, staring up at a gray sky, wondering where things went wrong with my life.

We didn’t stay too long, but it was kind of fun. Getting upright proved to be a task as well and I managed to get more water into a not so dry suit. The novelty wears off quickly after water sneaks in, but it was definitely a ‘when in Rome’ or rather ‘Lapland’ kind of thing to do. Naomi had no trouble with the float and was off to one corner just peacefully enjoying her float.

A few days later, we both did a sauna followed by a proper polar sea plunge in Helsinki. We braved the ice water of the Baltic Sea without clothes, and suddenly this dry suit ice floating felt hilariously tame in retrospect.

Before leaving, I checked out this gorgeous outdoor glass igloo sauna right next to the water. It was even cooler inside and I wished I knew we could book this for a private session.

Final Thoughts: No Fish, No Problem

So, no fish were caught. Our fishing rods broke. My dry suit betrayed me, in both form and function. And yet, it was a fun day with some great memories.

You’ll sweat while drilling and freeze while waiting, but I’d definitely put ice fishing on your list. If I were to do the float again, I’d probably do the Aurora night floating instead. I’d imagine it’d be quite a surreal thing to just lay there in the water at night and watch the lights dance overhead.

Updated on June 6, 2025