Travel with a fisher: Preserving traditional lake fishing through Arctic tourism

On frozen Lake Inari in northern Finland, small-scale fishers are sustaining a generations-old way of life. As climate change is making their livelihood increasingly uncertain, the Sámi Education Institute is helping them adapt. With EU support, the Institute assists fishers in converting traditional skills into visitor experiences-preserving local culture while creating new income.

Adapting livelihood to change

Of the 18 fishers working on Lake Inari, only six remain fully active, with many reporting shifts in fish behaviour and ice conditions. Tourism is becoming a practical way to diversify their activities and secure their future. Visitors were already approaching them on the ice, and the project turned that curiosity and interest into structured experiences.

As Virpi Jääskö from the Sámi Education Institute said: "We could see how much knowledge the fishers carried, and how valuable it could be if shared in the right way. Through our training, we simply gave them the tools to turn that knowledge into something visitors can experience and appreciate."

Thanks to targeted training and collaboration, fishers who once doubted tourism are now designing and selling activity packages.

Training rooted in local needs

With EU support through the Lapland Fisheries local action group (FLAG), the Sámi Education Institute has provided hands-on training in customer service, pricing, outdoor cooking, English and ice safety. The sessions are tailored to everyday life on Lake Inari, ensuring the skills are directly applicable.

Jääskö noted, "What has been most rewarding is watching their confidence grow. Fishers who once doubted themselves are now developing experience packages and working with hotels."

A key goal is to keep younger fishers in the profession. One young fisher has already secured contracts for the coming season-evidence that diversification can make the profession more attractive.

From daily routines to visitor experiences

Five new activity packages are now available-guided ice-fishing, outdoor cooking and lake tours. Pilot sessions with tourism companies were positive, and visitor feedback has been strong. New local coordinators are facilitation connections between hotels, fishers and tour operators-strengthening the regional network and supporting local economic development.

The project is also developing an accessible fishing activity for people with disabilities, adding an inclusive dimension to Arctic tourism.

Cultural continuity and regional cooperation

Fishing is a long-standing tradition in Inari, though it is often overshadowed by reindeer herding. The project helps raise its profile by giving fishers a platform to share their stories with visitors.

As Jääskö explained, "Visitors are genuinely interested in the fishers' stories and their connection to the lake. That recognition means a great deal, especially at a time when the environment is changing so quickly."

The support from the Lapland Fisheries local action group has also strengthened cooperation between fishers, travel companies and local institutions, fostering partnerships that can outlast the project itself.

More information

The Sámi Education Institute

Fisheries local action groups in Finland: FLAGs in Finland - the Finnish Rural Network

EU Arctic policy