Ice fishing
Ice Fishing in Oulu, One of the Best Winter Things to Do at Nallikari
The sea off Nallikari is at its most beautiful in winter, and it is a superb place to fish for perch through the ice, which makes a guided ice fishing safari one of the best things to do in Oulu in the cold season. On this safari a local expert leads you out onto the frozen sea, and no previous fishing experience is needed. Your guide shows you how to drill the hole, bait the line and tempt the fish to bite, and a sonar lets you watch, live, how the perch react to your lure beneath the ice. Altogether it is a calming yet exciting experience in the middle of a winter seascape, right next to the city of Oulu.
Where is Oulu?
Oulu is a coastal city in Northern Finland, sitting right on the Gulf of Bothnia just south of the Arctic Circle, and Nallikari is its seaside beach area only about 15 minutes from the city centre. Oulu was named one of National Geographic’s Best of the World 2026 destinations and is a European Capital of Culture in 2026. Because the sea here freezes solid each winter, Oulu offers something you will not find in many places, the chance to fish on a frozen sea rather than a lake, and all without a long journey into the wilderness. It is easy to reach too, with an airport about 15 km away and a direct train from Helsinki in around five and a half hours.
Good to know
- Season: 22 December – 31 March (private trips also outside these dates, depending on ice conditions)
- Start time: 9:00 – in winter the fish bite best in the morning
- Duration: 2 hours
- Meeting point: Nallikari Safaris Experience Center, Nallikarinranta 10, 90510 Oulu (lower floor of the Nallikari Aalto hotel building)
- Level: easy – suitable from age 6 up (under-18s with a guardian)
- Languages: Finnish and English
How the safari unfolds
We meet at the Nallikari Experience Center and change into warm winter clothing. From there we walk across the ice to the fishing spots, 5–15 minutes away. If it’s windy or cold, your guide sets up a small heated tent on the ice to keep you comfortable.
Everyone gets the chance to drill their own hole in the ice, and the guide teaches the technique from the start. We use a sonar to find the fish, so you can see how they move and react to the lure. The safari suits first-timers and experienced anglers alike – and along the way you’ll hear stories about the area’s nature and winter fishing.
Why go ice fishing at Nallikari?
Here you fish on the frozen sea rather than a lake, and just next to the city of Oulu, so there is no long transfer into the wilderness. Wide open sea views, the morning’s prime biting hours and a live sonar make it both easy to start and genuinely exciting. Our guides are trained specifically for fishing on this stretch of the Arctic Coastline, so you are in safe and knowledgeable hands from the first step onto the ice.
Book your experience!
Christmas Eve (24 Dec) and Christmas Day (25 Dec): €145 / adult (13+), €120 / child (8–12 yrs).
What’s included?
- Winter clothing (overalls, winter boots, beanie and gloves)
- Changing space and storage for your belongings at the Experience Center
- Guiding
- Heated pop-up tent
- Ice-fishing rods, lures and bait
- Ice auger and fishing seats
- Campfire on the ice
- One fish-finder sonar
Frequently asked questions
Is ice fishing one of the best things to do in Oulu in winter?
For many visitors, yes. Fishing on a frozen sea right beside a city is a rare experience, it suits complete beginners, and it is easy to combine with other winter activities in the Nallikari area, which makes it a favourite winter outing in Oulu.
Do I need previous fishing experience?
No. Your guide teaches everything you need and all the gear is provided, so it is ideal for first timers.
Who is the safari for?
Ages 6 and up, with under-18s taking part alongside a guardian. It is an easy activity suitable for the whole family.
Why does it start at 9:00?
In winter the fish bite best in the morning, so an early start gives you the best chance of a catch.
What should I bring?
We provide the warm outer clothing, including overalls, boots, a beanie and gloves, so you just need to dress warmly in base layers underneath. Changing space and storage are at the Experience Center.
What if it is cold or windy?
Your guide sets up a heated pop-up tent on the ice to keep you warm, and safety always comes first.
When are safaris held?
During the season from 22 December to 31 March, with private trips also available outside these dates depending on ice conditions.
One area, everything close by
At Nallikari your day does not have to end when you step off the ice, because everything else you need sits along the same seaside area. You can warm up over lunch or coffee at Ravintola Nallikari or Bistoria Patio, ease your muscles with a massage at Osfysio, and stay the night by the sea at Nallikari Aalto, the Poiju villas, the holiday cottages or the camping area. More things to do all year round are waiting with the guided tours and equipment rental of Nallikari Safaris. Everything you need for a memorable winter day is right here in one seaside area in Oulu.
