If there’s one thing you take to the ice, it’s an ice fishing shelter. No matter what your preference is in terms of fishing, an ice fishing shelter will make your time on the ice more comfortable and convenient. Whether you’re fishing for panfish or walleye, most ice fishing shelters have room for more than one person, so you can take the entire family out on the ice.
Read on for more information on our favorite ice fishing shelters.
Our Editor’s Best Ice Fishing Shelters Reviews
- Hub design makes set-up and take-down quick and easy.
- Rugged and durable, tightly-woven, and featuring a high thread count; IceTight fabric delivers the wind and watertight performance that Eskimo shelters are known for.
- Everything fits into a cinch carrying bag that can easily be carried on your back.
- Easier to grip, and won't bend under pressure.
- Easily place your ice anchors through grommets located directly in the skirt material—eliminating the hassle of finding and holding a separate grommet tab.
- 60-SECOND SET-UP: Hub design makes set-up and take-down quick and easy. Shelter fits 3 people with a set-up size of 5.8ft L x 5.8ft W x 6.7ft H, with extra elbow room measuring 7.5ft x 7.5ft
- 600 DENIER FULLY-INSULATED: IQ Insulated Quilted fabric is 35% warmer than a comparable non-insulated shelter
- PORTABILITY: Everything fits into a cinch duffle bag that can easily be carried on your back
- SELF-TAPPING ICE ANCHORS: Easier to grip, and won't bend under pressure
- IN-SKIRT ICE ANCHOR GROMMETS: Easily place your ice anchors through grommets located directly in the skirt material—eliminating the hassle of finding and holding a separate grommet tab
- OVERSIZED, TRIP-PROOF DOOR: The Outbreak 850XD features an oversized, trip proof door that fully zips down to the ice. This means no more catching your foot on the door framework and stumbling with your gear.
- MORE FISHABLE AREA: Flared, wide-bottom design provides significantly more fishable area than other shelters on the market.
- STORMSHIELD INSULATED FABRIC: Three-layer, abrasion-resistant, bonded fabric with 80 grams of high-loft insulation, providing maximum warmth and a robust barrier against light/wind penetration.
- GRAY INTERIOR: Brightens the shelter interior, making it easier to see and fish.
- STRONGER HUB DESIGN: The Outbreak 850XD features an all-metal ball-and-socket design as well as larger fiberglass poles.
- MORE FISHABLE AREA: Flared, wide-bottom design provides significantly more fishable area than other shelters on the market.
- 600 DENIER FULLY-INSULATED: IQ Insulated Quilted fabric is 35% warmer than a comparable non-insulated shelter.
- STRONGER HUB DESIGN: The FatFish 949 features an all-metal ball-and-socket design as well as larger fiberglass poles.
- PORTABILITY: Everything fits into an oversized cinch duffle bag that can easily be carried on your back.
- MESH STORAGE POCKETS: Keep your essential fishing gear handy & out of the bottom of the sled.
- 60-SECOND SET-UP: Hub design makes set-up and take-down quick and easy.
- 600 DENIER FULLY-INSULATED: IQ Insulated Quilted fabric is 35% warmer than a comparable non-insulated shelter
- PORTABILITY: Everything fits into a cinch duffle bag that can easily be carried on your back
- SELF-TAPPING ICE ANCHORS: Easier to grip, and won't bend under pressure
- IN-SKIRT ICE ANCHOR GROMMETS: Easily place your ice anchors through grommets located directly in the skirt material—eliminating the hassle of finding and holding a separate grommet tab
- NO TRIP DOOR – Features an oversized door panel that zips up from ice-level, leaving nothing to trip over when going in and out with your gear.
- PACKABILITY – Offers all the features of larger full door shelters without the bulk.
- FULLY-INSULATED – Eskimo IQ (Insulated Quilted) fabric retains heat and reduces condensation.
- SELF-TAPPING ICE ANCHORS – Large grip, with a sharp, self-tapping point and easy to use screw-in style that makes installation by hand a breeze.
- IN-SKIRT GROMMETS – Anchor the shelter to the ice through the skirt without any extra straps or pieces.
- 【Easy Setup & Take Down】This ice-fishing shelter is designed to be lightweight and can be easily set up or taken down by just one person. Spend less time struggling with your gear and more time enjoying the fishing experience!
- 【High-Quality & Durable Construction】Made from premium materials, this ice fishing shanty is built to last and withstand harsh winter conditions. You can fish with confidence knowing your shelter will stand strong through multiple seasons of use.
- 【Spacious & Comfortable Interior】Designed with ample space to accommodate multiple anglers, this ice fishing hut ensures a comfortable setting for you and your friends or family. Plus, its excellent insulation keeps you warm even in the coldest weather.
- 【Cozy & Inviting Atmosphere】Specifically designed for two people and their gear, this Cabin-Style Ice fishing Shelter features soft, warm wool lining, creating a cozy environment for those long days on the ice. Relax and enjoy your time fishing without feeling chilly!
- 【Durable & Convenient Design】This ice-fishing tent features sturdy stitching for long-lasting durability, making it perfect for all your fishing adventures. It’s also easy to move, allowing you to switch locations effortlessly for the best fishing spots.
- 【Spacious Design】 With dimensions of approximately 11.6 ft x 5.9 ft x 7 ft, this pop-up ice fishing tent comfortably accommodates 6 to 8 people, providing ample space for your winter fishing adventures.
- 【High-Quality Material】 Crafted from durable 210D fabric with a thermal insulation layer (60-80g cotton), this tent ensures warmth and comfort in cold weather while being resistant to wear and tear.
- 【Versatile Windows】 The tent features clear PVC windows, allowing for visibility and natural light while keeping you protected from harsh winter winds.
- 【Sturdy Support Structure】 Equipped with 11mm fiberglass poles, this tent boasts a robust and reliable frame that stands firm against the elements, ensuring stability during your outdoor activities.
- 【Complete Accessories】 Each tent comes with fundamental accessories including 12 ground stakes and 6 wind ropes, providing everything you need for secure setup and stability in windy conditions.
- 【A MUST HAVE FOR ICE FISHING】Save you so much time for ice fishing! No more messing around getting anchors in the ice. Anchors go in quick and easy, about 5 seconds, versus what sometimes is 5 minutes by hand. One you use it, you will never get back to ice fishing without it.
- 【SAVE YOUR LIFE IN WINDY DAY AND EXTREME COLD DAY】Great simple tool for placing ice screws, saved so much time and effort with tent anchors, made putting the ice tent up quick in the wind, so that you can get in tent for heat quickly. Saved your hands and other body parts！
- 【EASY TO USE】This adapter must be use with battery drill, it works great for eskimo brand ice anchors, portable ice shelter anchors, fits clam anchors and so on. Please note you need to get used to placing the anchor and starting off slow in order to not get the wobble when drilling.
- 【WHO CHOOSE OUR ICE TENT POWER DRILL ADAPTER?】Our ice anchor power drill adapter have strong stong welding and high-quality steel that won't break it off like the crappy plastic ones. What's more, our ice anchor adapter can be used with 3/8 inch chuck drill, while others are not.
- 【MAKE SET UP YOUR SHELTERS VERY FAST】No more clean the snow before drilling ice anchor! If you place the ice anchor by hand, you need to clean the snow before drilling the ice anchor, but with this ice power drill adapter, you can drive ice anchors in directly. Without it you have to spend a great deal of time removing ice carefully around the anchors so as not to damage your hut. With this tool we were able to just attach and pull them instead.
- Extremely durable 300 denier fabric blocks the wind!
- Blackout coating insures the light stays out unless YOU want it in.
- Hook and loop fastened windows are easily adjustable and replaceable
- 90" x 90" hub to hub, 80" ceiling height, with extra wide skirting to keep drafts out.
- Includes six self tapping ice anchors, and a carry bag for shelter and one 6 Inch nylone ice auger.
Best Ice Fishing Shelters Buying Guide
Before choosing the best ice fishing shelter you should consider following options:
1. Size and Weight: All ice shelters are not created equal. If you plan to fish in a location where powerboats are available, such as a lake or pond, you might want to go with a larger tent style shelter. This gives you more room to stand and move around.
If instead you plan to fish in a location that requires a long hike to get to, such as on a frozen river or stream, you’ll probably want to choose a shelter that is lighter and easier to carry.
2. Durability: You will notice that some ice fishing shelters are advertised as being built with stronger materials and stronger poles.
That’s because the materials used to make an ice fishing shelter, such as nylon and aluminum, are often weaker than those used to make a similar type of shelter for camping.
A good ice fishing shelter will be built with materials that are of good quality and strong enough to hold up during the storms common to northern climates.
3. Ease of Setup: If your plan is to fish in a location where you can easily drive to and park your car, then you probably don’t have to worry too much about ease of setup.
However, if you plan to fish on a frozen river where you will have to hike a long distance to get to the fishing location, you will want to make sure the shelter you choose is easy to set up.
Even if you plan to fish from your car, you may want to consider a shelter that is easy to set up so you can do it quickly if the weather takes a bad turn.
4. Protection from the Elements: All ice shelters will protect you from wind and rain, but some will also protect you from the cold.
If you plan to fish in a location where it is very cold, you will want to make sure your ice shelter has some sort of heat source built into it.
Heat sources can include electric heaters and built-in propane burners. The latter is the best option, as it will keep the area around you warm, but won’t heat up the ice underneath you.
5. Ease of Use: Finally, you will want to make sure your ice shelter is easy to use.
Some shelters have complicated systems that require a degree in engineering to figure out. You will want to make sure your shelter can be set up and taken down with ease.
You will also want to check to see if there are any special tools you need to use the shelter, such as a wrench to tighten the poles.
You don’t want to head out on the ice with your shelter only to find that you don’t have the proper tools to use it.
6. Cost: Last but not least, you will want to factor in the cost of the ice shelter before you buy it.
As you probably guessed, some ice shelters are much more expensive than others. Higher quality shelters made with sturdier materials will cost more.
On the other end of the spectrum, you will find ice shelters that are basically just a tarp you throw over the ice. Obviously these are the least expensive options.
You can even make a DIY version of an ice shelter by using a tarp or tent and some rope.
However, these types of shelters won’t provide much protection from the elements or last very long.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you narrow down the best ice fishing shelter for your needs.
What else you should know about ice fishing shelters
1. What is the best ice fishing shelter for the money?
There is no one “best” ice fishing shelter for the money. However, many experienced ice fishermen recommend Clam Corporation’s “The Hub” series of ice fishing shelters. These shelters are easy to set up and take down, and they provide good protection from the elements.
2. What is the best portable ice fishing shelter?
The best portable ice fishing shelter is the Eskimo Quickfish 3 Pop-Up Portable Ice Shelter.
3. What is the best ice fishing shelter for windy conditions?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the best ice fishing shelter for windy conditions depends on a number of factors, including the type of ice fishing you plan to do, the size of your group, and your budget. However, some of the best ice fishing shelters for windy conditions include the Eskimo Quickfish 3i Pop-Up Portable Ice Shelter, the Frabill Aegis 2110 Top Insulated Flip-Over Front-Entry Ice Shelter, and the Clam X-200 Pro Thermal 2-Angler Ice Fishing Shelter.
4. What is the best ice fishing shelter for cold weather?
There is no definitive answer to this question as everyone’s needs will differ. Some factors to consider when choosing an ice fishing shelter include: the size of the shelter, the type of insulation, the ventilation, the type of flooring, and the ease of set-up and take-down.
5. What is the best ice fishing shelter for large groups?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the best ice fishing shelter for large groups will vary depending on factors such as the size of the group, the location, and the weather conditions. Some popular options for large groups include the Eskimo Fatfish 949i, the Clam Nanook XL, and the Frabill Aegis 2110.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best ice fishing shelters. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best ice fishing shelters will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.