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What To Look For
An ice fishing shelter will keep freezing wind and rain at bay while you enjoy a day on the lake. Here are some features to consider.
Type: Choose between a cabin design or a simple flip-up tent. The cabin--or shed--often remains on the lake for the duration of ice fishing season.
Amenities: Basic collapsible shelters provide only protection against the elements, but the more durable sheds can feature electricity, cooking facilities, heaters and/or bunks. Shelving and hooks provide storage.
Size: The size of your shelter should depend on the number of fishermen it will be expected to hold at one time. The smallest ice fishing shelters are for one angler, but the larger ones may shelter as many as eight.
Weight: Carefully consider the weight of the shelter. Bigger shelters weigh a lot more than smaller ones, making them sturdier in heavy winds. On the flip side, the heavier shelters need to be removed from the lakes much earlier in the season, since the thinning ice cannot sustain their weight.
Common Pitfalls
Cabin-style ice fishing shelters are hard to erect by yourself. Help will probably be required, not only to transport the shed, but also to set it up, secure it to the ice, stock it, and then later empty it and take it off the lake. This cumbersome design makes it hard for the hobbyist who may want to fish alone in higher elevations.
Where To Buy
Buy one- or two-person flip-up style ice fishing shelters on the Internet. Competitive pricing is available from a number of online vendors, such as Sports Authority and Wal-Mart. Check out the sturdier cabin-style shelters in person--Ice Shack shelters are sold via a number of dealers in the U.S.--before choosing a manufacturer or model. These are more expensive, and you should make sure the shelter meets all of your needs before investing your money. After checking out these shelters at an outfitter (see Resources for a list of dealers), visit the Internet to see whether anyone is selling a gently used shelter of the model you are interested in.
Cost
Depending on the size and makeup of the shelter, expect to pay more for the cabins than for the flip-up tents. For example, a one-person ice fishing shelter weighing 44 pounds and crafted from polyethylene fabric may cost less than $200. A more durable solution that allows access to two anglers costs between $300 and $450. The even more durable and permanent cabin-style shelters cost upwards of $700, depending on the amenities and the size.
Insider Tips
Choose a cabin-style ice fishing shelter whenever possible. Enjoy a lot of space inside, store your fishing gear and also make the ice hole within the confines of the shelter. The smaller shelters require you to make the hole first and then erect the shelter later; depending on the weather, this may not be a comfortable solution.
