If you’re looking for an ultimate ice-fishing experience, you can’t go wrong with Galddoaivi Safaris Ky’s ice fishing wilderness, operating out of Näätämö. Captain Atte Ikkala offers ice-fishing excursion in Finland’s largest wilderness area, Galddoaivi backwoods.

He’ll transport you to the fishing location by Ski-Doo snowmobile-pulled sled and take you ice-fishing for Grayling, Perch, Pike, and Trout in crystal clear waters. The package includes accommodation, food/drinks (no alcohol), airport pickup and dropoff, all the fishing gear and licenses, transportation and guiding, catch cleaning (you can also do C&R), and winter clothing. Just book your flights and your guide will take care of the rest.

Atte will pick you up from the Kirkenes airport – he’ll meet you at the luggage pickup. The airport is a 45 km drive from Näätämö. Usually, the arrival day involves preparing everything for the first full day of ice-fishing in the wilderness.

Your fishing days will start with Atte picking you up from the hotel by the snowmobile. You’ll travel comfortably on reindeer hide covered sled for 20 km into the Galddoaivi backwoods. There you’ll spend the day ice-fishing in a private camp in the middle of a great ice-fishing area.

Your guide will drill an 8-inch hole in thick ice and lay the reindeer hide on the top. You’ll lay down on it, drop the lure in, and watch down the hole. You’ll be able to see the bait and your pray clearly, usually fishing in the waters less than 2 meters deep.

The guide will take you back to the hotel in the evening with a sauna and restaurant/bar waiting for you. You’ll get to dine at the open fire – the food is mostly made out of the catch of the day.

Depending on when your flight leaves, on the last day, you can go ice-fishing, sightseeing by snowmobile or a car, or try sea fishing if the ice is safe. There is a good place to fish for Cod next to the airport. You will be driven to the airport at least two hours before your flight.