Stay Toasty Warm in These Ice Fishing Shanties This Season (2024)

Now's the time to pick up a new ice fishing shelter.

Like many anglers, we love heading out on the ice each winter to try our hand at catching fish during the dead of winter. The only thing we don't love is the cold weather that can cut a day on the water shorter than we would like. After all, the longer you can sit out on the ice, the more likely you are to catch your limit or finally hook up with that trophy fish you've been looking for all these years.

Which is why a good ice house or ice tent is must. A quality ice fishing shanty or portable fishing shelter will keep you and your fishing gear warm and dry even during a blizzard.

With that in mind, here are some of the top options on the market for ice fishing shelters this winter. These will keep the warmth in and the elements of winter out. Expect to limit out a lot more often this season!

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Eskimo QuickFish Series Pop-Up Portable Ice Fishing Shelter

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Stay Toasty Warm in These Ice Fishing Shanties This Season (2)

This ice fishing tent is one of the highest rated shelters being sold on Amazon right now and is available in models that will shelter between two and six people. You can expect this one to last a while thanks to the tough, 600-denier, insulated, quilted fabric. It holds in the heat extremely well. If that was not enough, this pop-up ice shelter also sets up in just 60 seconds thanks to the easy-up, take-down hub shelter design. No assembly required, and no poles and tiny parts to lose while it's in storage during the off-season. The entire setup fits into an included duffle bag. Eskimo also includes some heavy-duty self-tapping anchors and tie-downs. This shelter has vinyl windows which will let needed light in, but will keep those freezing winds out.

Clam Corporation C-360 Hub Shelter

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Stay Toasty Warm in These Ice Fishing Shanties This Season (4)

This fish house gets high ratings for staying warm thanks to 60 grams of insulation per square meter and a thermal trap. The Clam features a tough, 600-denier fabric construction that should hold up to the elements extremely well. The 54-inch packed length and 36-pound weight in the carry bag should help it easily pack onto the back of an ATV or a sled towed by a snowmobile. A large skirt around the outside will help you bank the shelter in with snow. This ice shanty is just right for a couple of anglers and their fishing equipment.

Yokstore Ice Fishing Tent

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Stay Toasty Warm in These Ice Fishing Shanties This Season (6)

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If you are looking for a solid budget option multi-person ice fishing shelter. This shelter is made from a 300-denier oxford waterproof fabric. This pop-up shelter is available in multiple sizes and comes with stakes and detachable windows. Yokstore says this shelter will stand up to extreme temperatures of -30 C (-22 F). The best thing about this one is the price, it's extremely affordable, allowing you to spend more money on new reels and ice augers.

Frabill Bro Series Hub

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Stay Toasty Warm in These Ice Fishing Shanties This Season (8)

It's hard to go wrong with something designed by a pro. This shelter was designed by Brian "Bro" Brosdahl. Add in the Frabill name, which is one of the oldest and most popular names in ice fishing, and you've got a winner. This shelter is mostly made from a 600-denier polyester. The skirt is an extra-durable 900-denier polyester so it will handle a beating every winter. This one gets lots of positive reviews for its easy, quick setup, having a roomy, warm interior and the quality construction. It should stand up to many seasons of angling adventures in even the chilliest of conditions.

Otter Outdoors XT X-Over Cottage

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If you are in the market for a flip-over style shelter, Otter Outdoors makes some of the best ice shelters on the market. We like this one if you're running tip-ups because of the quick exit side entry doors. Work your jigs over cover in comfort waiting for a flag on the outside. Meanwhile, the insulated 600-denier layering system will keep you toast and warm. This shelter comes with Otter's XT Sled, and a flip-up padded bench seat. You get a lot of features for the money with this shelter option.

Clam Nanook XL Thermal Flip Ice Fishing Shelter

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Stay Toasty Warm in These Ice Fishing Shanties This Season (12)

Another flip-over style shelter with enough room for two anglers. The Nanook XL features 90 grams of insulation per square meter, making this one warm ice shelter. It should also stand up to the elements extremely well thanks to a 900-denier fabric and thermal skin. Clam also built in an overhead mesh storage area for storing extra ice fishing gear. The side doors allow easy access in and out of the shelter. There are also six windows so you can better see what you are doing inside.

Eskimo Fatfish 949i Insulated Hub Ice Shelter

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Stay Toasty Warm in These Ice Fishing Shanties This Season (14)

This three to four-person shelter has 61 square feet of space that can be fished in the interior. This shelter is fully insulated with quilted fabric, which keeps the interior nice and toasty on freezing days. User reviews rave about how comfortable this shelter is when the weather starts getting nasty. The quality YKK zippers help with sealing you off from the elements. Eskimo includes ice anchors and mesh interior storage pockets standard with this model.

Otter Outdoors Vortex Monster Lodge

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Stay Toasty Warm in These Ice Fishing Shanties This Season (16)

Maybe you're looking for an extra-large ice shelter for multiple anglers. Or maybe you need the extra space for sturgeon or pike spearing. Whatever you need the extra room for, this giant from Otter Outdoors should do the trick. It has a huge, 168 by 96-inch footprint featuring 112 square feet of fishable space. This shelter features Otter's Thermaltec 600-denier fabric layer system for extreme warmth. The interior features multiple storage pockets, rod, and tool holders, and an overhead cargo storage net to keep everything organized while spending long hours on the ice.

Products featured on Wide Open Spaces are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

For more outdoor content fromTravis Smola, be sure to follow him onTwitterand check out hisGeocachingandOutdoors with Travis YouTube channels.

NEXT: PIKE SPEARING BRINGS AN EXCITING CHALLENGE TO TRADITIONAL ICE FISHING

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FAQs

How to keep your feet warm while ice fishing? ›

For the same reason you layer top and bottom, you need to be layering your feet too. First with a poly or synthetic light wicking sock, and second with a wool or wool blend. Make sure you start dry as well, putting your boots on a dryer each night before the next day's fishing.

How should I dress warm for ice fishing? ›

Layered Clothing

Even if you don't plan to stay out all day, ice fishing clothing that keeps you warm and dry is still important. Do not skip this step, even if you bring a heater. A moisture-wicking base layer, an insulated, wind-breaking middle layer, and a breathable outer shell are recommended.

What happens to ice fishing cabins in summer? ›

More durable ice houses are generally left on a lake for the duration of the ice fishing season, although this can cause problems, such as thaws and re-freezing causing houses to be immoveably frozen onto the lake. Lighter, cheaper versions can collapse into a package to be moved from lake to lake during the season.

Where do ice fishermen go to the bathroom? ›

In a bucket

Some crafty Canadians created a “portable pooper,” designed to poop while ice fishing. After a closer look, it is basically just a bucket with a lid, so "designed" is a stretch. But it's still cool to have!

Do ice fishing tents keep you warm? ›

Not only will you be warm, comfortable, and safe from the elements in an ice fishing tent, but you'll fish more effectively too. Pick up one of our sled-style, flip-over ice fishing huts if you're going solo or with a couple of friends, or purchase a large pop-up tent and bring your whole crew!

What should you not do when ice fishing? ›

The following guidelines can help you make safe choices:
  1. Check for known thin ice areas with a local resort or bait shop. ...
  2. Refrain from driving on ice whenever possible. ...
  3. Stay away from alcoholic beverages. ...
  4. Don't "overdrive" your snowmobile's headlight. ...
  5. Have the right ice fishing safety gear.

What does dipping your feet in cold water do? ›

Regular cold water foot soaks improve circulation through contrast therapy, boost the immune system, prevent fungal infections, and promote relaxation and stress relief.

Should I put my feet in ice cold water? ›

When you feel tired and have pain on your feet and legs due to walking and standing for hours all day long, you should soak your feet and legs in “cold water” because it can helps constrict your blood vessels and reduce the inflammatory chemical mediators so that the swelling and inflammation in the muscles are reduced ...

What shoes to wear ice fishing? ›

Probably the most important item for ice fishing is a quality pair of cold-weather boots. Many boots you find in stores will keep your feet warm while walking around, but a quality pair of ice boots will keep your feet dry and warm all day.

What kind of pants to wear ice fishing? ›

INSULATES TO SHIELD YOU FROM THE COLD

The mid layer top is an important layer to plan for as I remove it several times during the day as I get sweaty because of either drilling holes or moving around. As far as the bottoms go for the mid layer, I am a huge fan of wool pants or any cold weather type of “sweat pants”.

How do you keep your hands warm while ice fishing? ›

Mittens like the Tundra utilize the warmth of all fingers and some serious air loft to insulate. There's no warmer option in my opinion. That's especially true if you add liner gloves. Pop off the mitts and use the liners for a quick task or two, then put the mitts on and you've got the warmest 1-2 punch I know of.

How to keep mice out of ice shack? ›

The best method of keeping mice out that can also be used in campers, is sealing up any obvious holes that they might fit into – don't underestimate how small of a hole they can fit through – and then tuck dryer sheets into the corners of your structure.

What is a fish house called? ›

A fish house is called a fish house, there's no fancy term for it other than that. Some people call them breeding houses, show rooms, galleries, etc. But it largely depends on what they do in the fish house that dictates any other name it might go by.

How do icefish stay warm? ›

Icefishes are a diverse group that thrives in the frigid Southern Ocean due some unusual physiology: their blood is similar to antifreeze, they have large numbers of energy-supplying cellular structures called mitochondria, and their body and skeletal densities differ from most temperate species.

How do ice skaters stay warm? ›

Remember to Layer Up

It's no surprise that ice rinks are cold. Our advice to all skaters is to layer up warmly, especially if you are a novice or first-timer. Layering is the best way to stay warm without overheating, as it allows you to shed layers as you warm up.

How do ice divers stay warm? ›

The world beneath the Arctic ice is magical, but cold. Divers have to tolerate temperatures of 30 degrees Fahrenheit (about -2° Celsius.) To stay warm they wear thermal undergarments and use special gear called dry suits . Sunlight filters through the ice layer bathing the underwater habitats in shades of blue.

How do fish survive the winter in frozen lakes? ›

Some species, like koi and gobies, may burrow into soft sediments and go dormant like frogs and other amphibians, but most fish simply school in the deepest pools and take a "winter rest." In this resting state, fishes' hearts slow down, their needs for food and oxygen decrease, and they move about very little.

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