It’s hard to believe in late December we are still talking early ice, but in the Midwest unseasonable warmer temperatures have kept water open. Northern Minnesota and North Dakota, however, are experiencing some excellent early ice walleye fishing and the remainder of the Midwest shouldn’t be too far behind, so get those batteries charged and hooks sharpened because ice fishing season is coming. Here are 10 tips that will help you land more walleyes as lakes begin to freeze.

1. Be Cautious

Safety is an important consideration for any sort of fishing, especially early ice. Never venture out without letting someone know where you are going. A good spud bar is paramount for testing the ice but any heavy stick will work. Place your cell phone in a plastic bag, carry a rope along and invest in a reliable ice axe in case you should fall through.

2. Rely on Fall Scouting

In most cases, ice anglers like to be mobile, drilling holes in the ice until they find fish. That’s not necessarily a bad practice at the right times, such as mid-day or slow bite periods. However, use your fall fishing as a form of scouting. If you found good weed beds and break lines near shore in September and October, target those same areas the first few days and weeks of ice fishing.

3. Minimize Your Movements

You need to be stealthy when fishing early ice, because fish may very well be shallow or on the move as they transition into the coldest water temperatures of the year. There are a lot of new noises, from footsteps to augers, and ATVs coming from above, making these walleye a bit more cautious than usual. Move quietly and minimize noise especially during peak hours such as early morning and evening. Do your best not to move when the fish are moving. As the sun begins to set, you should already have your holes drilled and be fishing at or relatively close to where you expect the fish to be, come evening. Being set up for the fish before they arrive is key to not spooking them out of the area.

4. What Should You Use for Bait?

Bait size is often overlooked by many ice anglers. But it’s pretty simple. Bigger bait means bigger fish. If you are targeting panfish, make sure you are using small baits such as tungsten jigs and small waxies. If you are targeting eater size walleye, you can often get by with a fathead minnow or shiner on a jig, mid-size spoons, and glide baits will put those walleye onto the ice as well. For trophy walleye don’t be afraid to rig up creek chub, red-tails, and larger profile baits such as Rippin’ Shads, Rippin’ Raps, and many of the other lipless style baits. When the bite gets tough, downsize your baits and minimize expectations. Everyday isn’t a trophy walleye day.

5. To Tip-Up or Not?

Tip-ups have been around for as long as I can remember and they are a great way to cover water and maximize the number of baits you can legally have out. I prefer to fight the fish on a rod and reel versus the old hand lining method. With all the innovations in ice fishing rods, it is easier now than ever. Placing your rod in a rod holder (known as dead-sticking) is extremely effective and many will tell you that their bigger fish came on these setups. A dead-stick rod allows you to see the bite easier. The rod loads up and in many cases will set the hook for you instead of letting the fish swim around freely while getting tangled up in other lines. And when it comes to fighting big fish, you are more likely to land them on a rod and reel combo as opposed to hand-lining a lunker top side. No transducer is needed in the hole of your dead-stick, which minimizes noise and why many believe bigger fish are more likely to bite.

Read Next: This is Your Year to Get into Ice Fishing. Here’s the Gear You Need to Do It

6. Keep Your Bait Alive

Lively bait can be a challenge when you’re fishing in arctic temperatures. But with all the innovations in insulated and aerated bait stations keeping your water moving and bait highly oxygenated they will remain as lively as they were when you purchased them. It’s usually the angler’s fault for not having lively bait. The cold water temperatures create more viscosity in the water, which means everything moves slower. This is why an active bait can attract a fish to bite from a long distance versus a dead minnow hanging below the ice. Shiners, fatheads, and red-tails are all excellent live baits for ice fishing based on your location. Red-tails are a favorite among Minnesota anglers whereas shiners and fathead minnows, work just about anywhere. Creek chubs are the go to in the Dakotas and when kept fresh and alive they are some of the most active live baits under the ice sure to entice a hungry walleye.

7. Start Off Bank Fishing

Shorelines are a great starting point during early ice. Most shorelines hold structures such as weeds, rocks, and sand, as well as warmer water initially, making for a great starting point. As the day progresses, look for deeper water nearby such as main lake points and breaks. If you can find a location with a break fairly close to shore this can be the ticket as you won’t need to move a lot throughout the day and you’ll be in the perfect position for when those active walleye move up shallow to feed again.

8. Find the Weeds

Weeds hold fish all year long, because they create oxygen, which attracts everything in the food chain. Finding good weeds late in the winter is tough, but early ice weed opportunities can be the ticket. The use of a good underwater camera to do some mid-day scouting for weeds can pay dividends come evening.

The Right Rod For the Job

Just like your bait, you need the right setup for the technique you plan on fishing. A soft tip and longer rod can make for a great dead stick. But you will want a more medium to heavy powered extra fast action rod for larger baits when targeting those trophy walleye. The fast action tip will ensure quicker and more solid hook set. A medium action rod will give your bait the proper action when worked vertically through a hole as well as more control over that tanker walleye to guide it up through the narrow ice opening. The right rod will increase your hookups and your ability to land the fish. The wrong rod will increase your odds of missing bites and weak hook sets resulting in lost fish. When your rod is too soft and the action is too slow it’s very difficult to get a good hook set on a fish as all the backbone and strength of the rod are in the lower third near the reel seat. This backbone is what drives the hook home. These lighter and ultralight rods are best suited for panfish. When targeting walleye a longer rod (32-inches), such as a St. Croix CCI Dead Eye, allows the walleye to bite the bait feeling minimal resistance from the rod allowing it time to “load up.” This type of setup is perfect for a “deadstick” allowing the walleye to devour the entire bait before feeling the resistance and in turn self hooking itself.

10. Dress Warm

As ice anglers, we know the cold well, but far too often anglers are not dressed appropriately. Wintertime temps are seldom stable and in the upper Midwest, you can count on the wind making it much colder than what your weather app forecasted. Once you’re cold, it’s hard to get warm without leaving the ice for a short period of time. Wet hands make it even worse. Packing a small fishing towel can go a long way as well as extra pair of gloves. You will see many seasoned ice anglers overdressed for good reason. It’s much easier to take off a layer than add a layer that you didn’t bring with you. Striker Ice suits has a huge array of floatation suites, bibs, and jackets that also come with many layering options, making them a go-to for ice suits and accessories.

The post 10 Early Ice Fishing Walleye Tactics That Will Put You on the Bite appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Best Overall		Eskimo Outbreak 450XD	SEE IT
Best Value		Eskimo QuickFish 3i	SEE IT
Best for Ice Camping		Otter Outdoors Vortex Pro Monster Lodge	SEE IT

Once bulky and challenging to transport, today’s ice fishing shelters are light, portable, and highly functional. A quality shelter keeps anglers and their equipment in the game and on fish—even when the snow flies, winds howl, and temperature plummets.

For serious ice anglers, one ice fishing shelter does not do it all. Like our endless collection of outdoor gear, you need at least a couple shelters to match the specific location, target species, and the number of anglers fishing. Brands like Clam, Eskimo, Ice Runner, and Otter Outdoors offer great, problem-solving ice fishing shelter designs—and they seem to get better each year. Here’s a look at the best ice fishing shelters for different use cases. 

• Best Overall: Eskimo Outbreak 450XD
• Best Value: Eskimo QuickFish 3i
• Best for Two People: Otter Outdoors Vortex Pro Cabin
• Best for Four to Six People: CLAM X-600 Thermal Hub
• Best for Ice Camping: Otter Outdoors Vortex Pro Monster Lodge
• Lightest One-Person Flip-Over: Ice Runner Ice House Escape
• Roomiest One-Person Flip-Over: Eskimo Wide 1 XR Thermal
• Lightest Two-Person Flip-Over Thermal Shelter: Ice Runner Ice House Explorer
• Most Durable: Jason Mitchell XT Thermal

Testing the Best Portable Ice Fishing Shelters

I’ve been using portable ice fishing shelters for over 25 years. Over that time I’ve used them all: from the first “Fish Trap” designs by the father of modern ice fishing, Dave Genz, subsequent Clam models, to the latest shelters from Eskimo and Otter Outdoors. My ice fishing trips cover several locations including my home state of Minnesota into Michigan, Montana, the Dakotas, and Ontario.

In short, all the shacks I’ve owned have gotten a workout. For this review, I tested the best ice fishing shelters on the lakes of West Central Minnesota, Lake Winnibigoshish, Upper Red Lake, and some hard-to-reach lakes north of Bovey, Minnesota. Now that there’s sufficient ice in the northern part of the state, I’ve had to pull out shelters by hand and shoulder harness, behind a snowmobile or Snowdog, and in the back of the truck. By hand and back power, it’s quite a workout. With a snowmobile, tracked ATV, or Snowdog-style machine, it is somewhat easier. Many of the larger lakes have a series of roads where you can drive the truck, which makes transporting shelters easier. 

Along the way, I chased walleyes, pike, trout, crappies/sunfish, and even eelpout. Testing occurred in temperatures that ranged from -10 degrees with -30 windchill to mercury in the low -30s. Helping me in the testing was my longtime fishing buddy, “Big Mike” who towers 6 feet, 3 inches and weighs nearly 300 pounds. I’m 6 feet, 1 inch and 240 pounds—on the larger end of the angler spectrum—so when I refer to elbow room, fishable space, and comfort, our size comes into play. 

I also have three kids—ages 10, 15, and 16—who contributed to some of the testing. They allowed me to give an idea of space with one to three kids in tow, and a chocolate lab who loves being on the ice. 

Read Next: The Best Ice Fishing Fish Finders

The Best Portable Ice Fishing Shelters: Reviews and Recommendations 

Best Overall: Eskimo Outbreak 450XD

Jim Edlund

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Key Features 

• Assembled Dimensions: 139 x 139 inches 
• Ceiling Height: 80 inches 
• Weight: 48 pounds
• Space: Three to four people 
• 108 x 108 inches of elbow room
• 75 square feet of fishable space
• Removable window panels 
• Includes ice anchors
• In-skirt grommets
• Carabiner tie-downs
• MSRP: $529.99

Pros

• Oversized, no-trip door panel that zips down to the ice
• Mesh storage pockets stitched in at the top to prevent gear from slipping out or hanging low
• Gray interior for more ambient light
• Easy to set up and tear down

Cons

• Price is a leap from two to three person hubs
• One year warranty

After a ton of testing, my pick for the best overall ice fishing shelter is the Eskimo Outbreak 450XD. If I had to own just one fish house, this would be it. At 75 square feet, it’s the perfect choice for a couple of fishing buddies and a couple of kids. 

The Eskimo Outbreak 450XD accommodated me, my three kids, and the dog on a recent trout fishing trip. We all had plenty of room to place our fold-up chairs and fish two holes each. I could also stand up in the hub and stretch, a super nice feature. 

The Eskimo Outbreak 450XD also has room for me, my gear, one kid, and the dog while ice camping. It’s the perfect size for two cots/mattresses, a camp stove, fishing electronics, various-placed holes for fishing a jigging rod and deadstick (as well as rattle reels at night), and all the gear necessary for a weekend trip sans cabin or hard house. Super warm and ventilated, I was cozy as could be. The Eskimo 450XD also set up and tore down easily, even in the wind, and includes a stitched-in instruction sheet inside the bag if you forget. It also works well as a cook shack with a larger hub like the Otter Vortex Monster Lodge or Eskimo Outbreak 850XD for bigger groups of anglers. 

Best Value: Eskimo QuickFish 3i

Eskimo

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Key Features 

• Footprint: 70 x 70 x 80 inches 
• Ceiling Height: 80 inches
• Weight: 34 pounds
• Space: Two people, or one adult and two kids
• Collapsed Size: 52 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches folded up in the bag
• 34 square feet of fishable space
• Insulated, quilted design
• Self-tapping ice anchors
• In-skirt ice anchor grommets
• Four windows
• Two vents 
• Two mesh storage pockets
• YKK zippers
• MSRP: $349.99

Pros

• Easy to transport by hand, sled, or as a backpack in the bag
• Fits in any vehicle
• Removable window panels for better ventilation
• Affordable 

Cons

• Black interior is darker than gray interior shelters
• No full-length doors
• One year warranty

Like its kid brother, the Eskimo QuickFish 2i, the QuickFish 3i can be set up in under a minute and fits easily into the included carrying bag with attached cinch straps. It is constructed of the same durable, Eskimo IQ (Insulated Quilted) material but features an increased 34 square feet of fishable space—enough room for two to three anglers. Plus, it’s lightweight and affordable. 

This would be my choice for a basic hub if it was just one kid and me (and probably the dog). Realistically, it’s probably a better shelter for two adult anglers sitting back to back, each fishing a side with 2 or 3 holes. It was easy to carry on my back and walk out on a local lake to fish with my youngest daughter. And it comes at a very affordable price. 

Best for Two People: Otter Outdoors Vortex Pro Cabin

Otter Outdoors

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Key Features 

• Ceiling Height: 75 inches
• Wall Height: 67 inches
• Space: Two to three people 
• Weight: 36 pounds
• 48 square feet of fishable space
• THERMALTEC 600 denier triple-layer fabric
• 11mm cobalt poles
• Reinforced corners
• Front dual-coil zippered entry door
• Combination daylight/lookout removable windows with insulated covers
• Interior wide bottom storage pockets and exterior tie-down strap pockets
• Ice-lock anchoring system
• Anchor tie-down kit
• Pocket for safety beacon
• 900 denier oversized carry bag 
•  MSRP: $399.99

Pros

• Wide base
• Roomy five-sided design
• Interior rod/tool holders
• Interior overhead cargo storage net
• Propane hose port with hook and loop flap
• Fits in any vehicle
• Lots of Otter-exclusive built-in add-ons
• Affordable 

Cons

• One-year warranty

A two-person hub shelter should have enough room for each angler to fish two holes, with space to accommodate electronics, tackle, and a portable heater. Insulation will help keep the heat inside, but it should be well-ventilated and breathable to ensure that moisture and condensation can escape. Look for robust zippers or other closures to facilitate getting into and out of the shelter. 

I didn’t have the chance to test this shelter personally but it comes on the recommendation of Northern Minnesota ice fishing guide, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl.  According to Brosdahl, “The Otter Vortex Pro Cabin is an incredibly high-quality hub at a reasonable price—and it’s super lightweight and easy to transport.” The Vortex Pro Cabin features Otter’s patented THERMALTEC 600 denier triple-layer fabric layer system for durability, warmth, and reduced condensation. 

Brosdahl says it has storage for your tackle boxes and enough rod holders to hold your one-two-three punch right on the wall. You also get an overhead storage net for keeping gloves and jackets warm. “I also like the propane hole for running larger tanks; plus it’s got a hook and loop, so you don’t get a draft through it,” he says. “The big, wide door is fantastic for carrying gear in and out.”  

He also says the double strap on the ice anchors in the corners allow you to screw it down and then pinch the top tightly, so you don’t get any slack in the house corners. And all the straps fit into the provided storage pocket.  

“I really put shacks through the wringer using them every day of the winter, and when it comes to poles, a lot of ’em break over time. Not Otter’s. The other thing: Otter shacks are super warm with 600 denier fabric, a big deal up here in Northern Minnesota where we routinely get sub-zero temperatures. The double-layer of heavier denier also prevents frost build up on the inside, a problem with some shacks,” Brosdahl says.

Best for Four to Six People: Clam X-600 Thermal Hub

Clam

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Key Features 

• Ceiling Height: 90 inches 
• Diameter: 11.5 feet
• Weight: 60 pounds
• Space: Four to six people
• Collapsed Size: 75 x 14 x 14 inches 
• 94 square feet of fishable space
• Strong 600 total denier fabric (90 grams of insulation per square meter)
• Full thermal skin to retain heat/reduce condensation
• Flex-tested 11mm poles
• Oversized skirt for banking with snow
• Six ice anchor straps and strap pockets
• MSRP: $569.99

Pros

• Designed for windy conditions
• Accepts Clam Lock Plate accessories
• Designed for use with Clam’s heavy-duty removable floor for a slush-free floor 
• Three year warranty

Cons

• Price is a leap from three to five person hubs
• Heavy

The Clam X-600 Thermal Hub provides plenty of space for a big group. It is a great choice for those holiday trips when all of your friends and relatives want to go fishing or when you want to use your shelter as a base camp for a multi-day, hard-water adventure. This large, hub-style shelters offer abundant fishable space for larger groups, or allow you to use a portion of the shelter as a field kitchen or even a designated sleeping area equipped with cots and bags.

Insulated and well-ventilated, the Clam X-600 shelter offers 94 square feet of interior fishing space, yet weighs only 60 pounds—all qualities to look for in the best ice fishing shelters for a large group.

This is another shelter I didn’t have the chance to test, but took on the recommendation of expert ice angler Pat Kalmerton, who works with young anglers through Take Them Kids Outdoors (TTKO). Suffice to say, he’s used to taking out large groups. 

“Heat-pressed seams keep all the insulation in place so it won’t slip or bunch up over time. Secondly, the heavier-duty 11mm poles flex, so they’ll last years. You also have Velcro along the entire perimeter for the insulated floor option, and the corners are well stitched,” he says.

Kalmerton also mentioned the cinch-down anchor straps can withstand strong, Wisconsin winds. He likes that you can add lots of accessories, cup-holders, LED lights, fans, cell phone holders, rod holders, rattle reels, coolers, etc., via Clam Lock Plates. “I’ve had my three kids, a buddy’s two kids, and three adults in it at once with six holes along the walls and one in the center,” says Kalmerton. 

His go to setup for the backwaters of the Mississippi River is to put drop-shot rigs on rattle reels in all the corners, and then jig in the middle of the hub. He says once you fire up one or two fish, all the lines go crazy.

Best for Ice Camping: Otter Outdoors Vortex Pro Monster Lodge

Otter Outdoors

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Key Features 

• Ceiling Height: 79 inches
• Wall Height: 68 inches (over 5-and-a-half-feet)
• Weight: 73 pounds
• 132 square feet of fishable space
• THERMALTEC 600 denier fabric layer system
• Triple-layer shell provides the perfect combo of durability, warmth, and reduced condensation
• Extreme duty 11mm cobalt poles
• Combination daylight/lookout removable TPU windows with insulated covers
• Interior wide bottom storage pockets and exterior tie-down strap pockets
• Ice-lock anchoring system
• Anchor tie-down kit
• HD nylon wind anchor straps w/ adjustable quick-release buckles
• Nylon packing strap with high compression quick-release buckle
• Pocket for safety beacon and flag (beacon must be purchased separately)
• 900 denier oversized carry bag 
• MSRP: $799.99

Pros

• Large entry door 
• Reinforced corners
• Wide base 
• Interior rod and tool holders
• Interior overhead cargo storage net
• Propane hose port with hook and loop flap

Cons

• Heavy
• Only one cinch strap included for packing
• Only one full-size door
• Door pole splintered and required Gorilla tape
• One year warranty

My mission this last fall was to purchase the largest hub-style shelter made. I’m an ice angler who’s always trying to find smarter (and more spacious) ways to ice camp with friends and family. My must-have list includes enough room for cots and an inter-lockable and customizable 1-inch foam exercise-mat style floor over the ice. Sleeping and fishing in a portable shelter through weekend-long forays on the ice can reduce the cost of lodging or hard house rental and provide nighttime fishing action. 

My research led me to Otter Outdoors’ Vortex Pro Monster Lodge, which was redesigned for the 2022-2023 ice season. The major difference is a full-size, pole-stabilized door on one end rather than a triangular door you had to crouch through. Featuring an expansive 132 square feet of fishable space, the Vortex Pro Monster Lodge will accommodate six to eight anglers without bunks and gear. 

The Vortex Pro Monster Lodge is also easy for one person to set up (simply drill in one corner ice anchor and proceed to pop open the sides and tops). It doesn’t weigh much at 73 pounds; you can transport it in a sled with a harness or in a sled behind a snowmobile or ATV, and easiest is in the back of the truck. Otter’s Monster Lodge has enough room for two to three cots with mattresses. It’d fit even more cots if you purchased bunk-style cots.

For this ice season, I used clamp-on rattle reels in the shack corners. To keep the massive area toasty, I ran an 18,000 BTU Heat Hog propane heater with low-oxygen shut-off but also keep two carbon monoxide detectors on at all times. I run the heater on low to bring the ambient temperature inside the hub to between 55 and 60 degrees, although you could easily raise the temp even higher. 

I first started ice camping using one side of the hub for a kitchen, but have since decided to use a small hub for just cooking, leaving more room for cots and holes to fish—and less smell and carbon monoxide build-up. I also use a separate shelter as an outhouse. The lightweight Ice Runner 1-man flip-over Escape makes a very convenient (and inexpensive) outhouse placed behind the larger hub. Outfitted with a sturdy Stansport portable toilet (300-pound person capacity), we were good to go. Literally. 

There are a few issues with this otherwise excellent ice shelter. The Otter Vortex Monster Lodge only comes with one packing strap. While the strap is great with its high compression quick-release buckle, I ordered two more sets of two straps each because you need to cinch the shack down in four to five spots to get it into the bag. I also would prefer two full-size doors instead of one plus a partial door. Lastly, I had a door frame pole splinter, which required some Gorilla tape. 

Lightest One-Person Flip-Over: Ice Runner Ice House Escape

Ice Runner

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Key Features 

• Weight: 38 pounds including sled
• 10.4 square feet of fishable space
• 600 denier quilted, insulated fabric
• Black fabric for solar heat retention
• Smart, rear-entry door
• $329.99 MSRP

Pros

• Affordable
• Long front windows for monitoring tip-ups
• Ceiling skylight window
• Sled/house travel cover included

Cons

• No built-in chair
• Smaller diameter, push-button support poles

There are a lot of new anglers ice fishing solo, and many don’t own an ATV, snowmobile, or have enough ice to support full-size vehicles. Especially on metropolitan fisheries, a lot of anglers still hump their gear by hand to fishable spots. This necessitates a lightweight ice fishing shelter like the Ice Runner Ice House Escape.

I really appreciate the rear door versus a front or side door. This prevents tripping over gear or stepping in a hole: smart design. One thing I immediately noticed in testing the Ice House Escape was the lack of a built-in chair, presumably to cut weight and keep the cost down. Personally, I didn’t find this to be a big deal. I simply brought my favorite collapsible folding chair and set it up inside the sled.

The house is also extremely warm thanks to the added heat from the black fabric. You can run your stove on low or not at all on warmer days. The Escape features 10.4 feet of fishable space and a sled (with included cover) that holds necessary ice fishing gear. It’s definitely my top choice for fishing on foot or hole hopping when weight is a huge priority. A lot of competitive ice panfish anglers have turned to this house to get out of the elements but still maintain the mobility they need to hole-hop and stay on fish. 

The house features long, vertical windows in the front for monitoring tip-ups and a skylight window, a design feature most portable fish houses lack. As I mentioned earlier, this shack makes a great affordable outhouse for use with larger hubs or hard houses. 

The shack’s push-button pole system needs some lubrication for easier set-up and tear-down. I simply sprayed the joints and buttons with PAM canola oil spray, which I also use to keep my rod eyelets free of ice when fishing outside.  

Roomiest One-Person Flip-Over: Eskimo Wide 1 XR Thermal

Jim Edlund

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Key Features 

• Assembled Dimensions: 102 x 58 x 64.5 inches
• Ceiling Height: 64.5 inches
• Sled Size: 53 x 36 x 9 inches
• Collapsed Size: 57 x 36 x 18 inches
• Weight: 38 pounds including sled
• 17.5 square feet of fishable space 
• Insulated fabric 
• MSRP: $599.99 

Pros

• Gray interior for more ambient light
• Rugged and comfortable rotating chair
• Plenty of room for three holes (jigging rod, deadstick, and forward-facing sonar)

Cons

• Ceiling height is a bit low

For years I ran the Frabill Ice Hunter 115, which was designed by veteran ice guide and ice fishing product innovator Brian “Bro” Brosdahl and offered approximately 12 square feet of fishable space. Super warm and lightweight, this shack—and some of Clam’s—were the standards for run and gun solo ice fishing. 

As of this winter, I’m now in love with the Eskimo Wide 1 XR Thermal 1-person flip shelter, which offers tons of headroom, elbow room, and square footage. A single bottom pole expands the framework at the push of a button to accommodate a massive 17.5 square feet of fishable area—enough space for three holes—one for forward-facing sonar, one for a jigging rod, and one for a deadstick or ceiling-pole-mounted rattle reel.

In terms of warmth, the shack tested great with a 9,000 BTU Heat Hog heater on low. I like the gray interior, which enhances ambient light and makes tying on jigs easier. In terms of comfort, the mesh and steel frame seat is easy on my body, minimizing back and leg fatigue and the design doesn’t add a lot of weight to the overall shack. 

I was impressed with the poles, which seemed sturdier and wider in diameter than many solo portable houses. It performed great in the wind.

The only cons involve ceiling height. I wish the Eskimo Wide 1 XR Thermal had the ceiling height of the Jason Mitchell-designed Legend XT 1-Man Flip-Over. Mitchell’s flip-over has a 73 inch ceiling to accommodate hook sets with longer rods. However, the Legend XT is 22 pounds heavier, has a foot-and-a-half less of fishable space, and retails for $200 more than the Eskimo XR-1 Wide. 

At the end of the day, the best one-person flip-over ice fishing shelter based on weight, cost, and fishable space is the XR-1. If you’re pulling it out by hand or harness, you can’t beat fishing with multiple lines and forward-facing sonar. For fishing by snowmobile, ATV, or truck, the Jason Mitchell Legend XT 1-Man Flip-Over is ideal, especially if fishing large walleyes or lake trout with longer rods. 

Lightest Two-Person Flip-Over: Ice Runner Ice House Explorer

Jim Edlund

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Key Features 

• Ceiling Height: 74 inches 
• Weight: 49 pounds, sled and cover included
• 18.2 square feet of fishable space
• 600 denier quilted, insulated fabric
• Black fabric for solar heat retention
• Rear-entry door
• MSRP: $429.99 MSRP

Pros

• Affordable 
• Long front windows for monitoring tip-ups
• Ceiling skylight window
• Sled/house travel cover included

Cons

• No built-in chairs
• Smaller diameter support poles

If weight is your primary concern in choosing a thermal two-person flip-over portable fishhouse, then the Ice Runner Ice House Explorer is probably a good fit with an easily justifiable price tag.

Besides fishing two anglers comfortably, the Ice Runner Explorer makes a great 1-man if you’re looking for more room and fishing additional lines. Like its kid brother, the 1-man Ice Runner Escape, this shelter features a rear-entry door, which means no tripping over electronics, set lines, or portable propane heater. 

This shack tested great on a Northern Minnesota lake in a -30 degree windchill. I hand-pulled it out with the auger, my tackle, bait, and heater in the provided sled. Even through foot-deep snow, with some 6 inches or more of slush trapped underneath, I had no issues dragging the 49-pound Ice Runner Ice House Explorer out to my spot. My buddy “Big Mike” and I fished comfortably in it, which is surprising considering we’re both over 6 feet tall and similarly wide individuals. Once back to the garage, I built a floor out of the same 1-inch foam exercise mats I use for my camping hubs. In terms of a lightweight, two-man shelter, with a reasonable price tag, the Ice Runner Explorer is it. 

Like the other Ice Runner 1-man Escape, the poles require some lubrication for easier set-up and tear down. 

Most Durable: Jason Mitchell XT Thermal

Clam

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Key Features 

• Assembled Dimensions: 93 x 72 x 79 inches
• Ceiling Height: 79 inches
• Collapsed Size: 72 x 40 x 26 inches
• Weight: 125 pounds
• 26 square feet of fishable space
• 900 denier with 90 grams of insulation per meter
• 1 ¼-inch pole system with Rapid Pole Slide Extreme (RPXS) system
• Four-pole spreader kit
• Battery bracket
• Large dimmable light stick entry
• Included bait bucket and bracket
• Two 4-position rod holders
• Three year warranty
• 51 x 14-inch overhead mesh storage area 
• MSRP: $1,249.99

Pros

• Super tough and warm
• Roomy side-doors
• USA-made sled 
• Thick-diameter poles
• Gray co-extruded plastic tub/sled makes locating items easier
• Deep and wide tub/sled makes travel through deep snow and slush easier
• Two comfortable, padded, and removable seats that adjust front to back and left to right

Cons

• Heavy
• A bit difficult to pull by hand or back harness through deep snow
• Should include Clam X-Series runners

There is a hardcore group of ice anglers across the country who fish the most harsh and demanding situations imaginable. From the Great Lakes through the Canadian provinces these anglers put equipment through the hell and demand the most rugged ice fishing products made.

Jason Mitchell, a Dakotas-resident, former longtime guide, and JMO Outdoors host, designed the most-rugged and tricked-out two-man flip-over shack I’ve ever fished out of.

The Jason Mitchell XT Thermal flip-over ice fishing shelter is built like a tank. The deluxe flip-over includes two very comfortable, removable seats that adjust both front to back and left to right, which I found to be a great feature that is lacking in most portable flip-over shelters. The sled is deep and wide, making pulling through slush or deep snow behind a machine much easier than standard designs. 

The Jason Mitchell XT Thermal Flip-Over is also packed with common-sense ice fishing accessories like a built-in bait bucket, overhead mesh storage, under-seat hammock-style storage, rod holders, battery bracket, and dimmable lighting. The center height is also nearly 6.5 feet for easy entry, and allowed me to fully stand-up and stretch, thus avoiding leg cramps on all-day sits. The ceiling height also made hooksets with longer rods easier. The 26 feet of fishable space easily accommodated numerous holes for jigging and deadsticks, as well as the use of a front-facing sonar unit.   

There is also a three-year, no-questions-asked warranty. But it all comes with a price tag of $1,249.99. Still, for ice anglers who are serious about their trips, and run snowmobiles or other on-ice vehicles on hard water, this is the shack that’s going to get the job done and keep you comfortable in the worst conditions.  

How to Choose A Portable Ice Fishing Shelter

A basic ice fishing shelter should have a waterproof finish, insulated sides and ceiling, and provide sufficient ventilation to remain comfortable and safe on the inside. I don’t think uninsulated shelters are worth the investment. Non-insulated shelters may be cheaper upfront but cost more in the long run when you consider propane usage. When you look at the difference in pricing, it’s better to go with an insulated hub or flip-over shack. 

Pop-Up/Hub Shelters

Pop-up ice fishing shelters are often referred to as hub shelters. These are generally lightweight, portable shelters that fold down into a compact package and fit into a convenient transport and storage bag. A framework of poles throughout the hub provides rigidity to the structure. Once inside, anglers enjoy access to considerably more fishable area than might be available in a flip-over shack.

Flip-Over Shacks

While pop-up ice fishing shelters seem to be taking over the marketplace, there’s still a time and place for flip-over shacks on the ice. With lineage back to Dave Genz’ garage and the original “Fish Trap” flip-over in 1980, today’s flip-overs still share design features similar to Genz’ game-changing invention—but they’ve also evolved over the past four-plus decades. 

There are lightweight shacks for simply getting out of the elements and pulling by hand onto metropolitan fisheries or hard-to-reach waters only accessible by foot. You can also buy deluxe models with bench-style seating to accommodate up to four anglers and that are built to withstand the rigors of rough ice. 

Insulation 

The best ice fishing shelters have a durable, waterproof exterior to keep the cold, snow, and sleet at bay. Most often 600 to 900 denier fabric is used to form a quilted, insulated interior. This count simply refers to the thickness of the individual fibers that make up the threads of the fabric. Usually, the higher count the better. 

Heating Your Ice Fishing Shelter

Avoid using “sunflower” heaters inside your ice fishing shelter. They produce excess carbon monoxide and can easily burn fabrics. While they throw off a lot of heat, they’re not meant for small, inside quarters. 

Buddy-style heaters are standard, manufactured by Mr. Heater, Dewalt, Flame King, and others. I’ve been using both the 9,000 and 18,000 BTU models from Heat Hog which feature a better-designed pilot light guard to prevent blow-outs from anglers entering and exiting shack doors. Heat Hog heaters also feature an upward-rotating heating element that keeps heat off the ice, thus reducing water and slush build-up on the ground inside. 

One-pound propane canisters typically fetch between five and eight dollars. My advice? Invest in a 5-gallon, 10-gallon, and 20-gallon tank to run your portable propane heater. Use whichever matches the amount of time you’ll be on the ice. You’ll not only save on propane expenses by having them filled locally off a bulk tank, you won’t worry about running out of fuel. And if you’re ice camping for more than a day, bring two 20-pounders. Take it from me, there’s nothing worse than running out of propane in sub-zero temperatures, especially in the middle of the night.

What to Look for in an Ice Fishing Shelter

A quality ice fishing shelter also has abundant ventilation to allow moisture to escape and allow anglers to safely use portable propane-powered heaters. On the outside, skirting that extends away from the shelter allows anglers to bank snow along the sides, while robust anchoring systems prevent the shelter from being carried away by a wind gust. Abundant creature comforts on the interior, including built-in storage netting, add-on coat hangers, rod holders, lights, and even insulated floor options make it easy to fish while staying warm and dry.

Look for windows on all four sides of the shelter to provide ample natural light and help you monitor tip-ups while inside. A model that should be noted that was designed specifically for monitoring tip-ups or auto-setting devices is the Clam X-500 Lookout Hub, which features three large windows per wall. If I had a “best of” category for shacks to monitor tip-ups, tip-downs, and auto-setters (where legal), the Clam X-500 would be it.  

Your basic portable ice fishing house should also come with a storage bag and the tools needed to anchor it to the ice. I recommend purchasing an anchor bit that fits into the chuck of various battery-powered drills. All manufacturers have slightly different anchor designs, so look for a universal ice anchor drill bit, or the bit for the brand house you choose, like this model from Otter Outdoors. You can also go the route of buying extra ice anchors that already have a bit on them like these from Trophy Outdoors, a very smart, universal design. 

And here’s another tip: Like the old timers’ trick to keep fishing rod eyelets free of ice in sub-zero conditions, spray your ice anchors down with inexpensive and readily-available PAM cooking spray. They’ll go into the ice much easier. 

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

An ice fishing shelter is a necessity if you plan to fish on cold, windy, or snowy days. The warm and dry fishing area provided by a contemporary ice fishing shelter will let you fish longer and in comfort. If you’re in the market for a shelter, checkout my top picks for the best ice fishing shelters and weight the features of the products with your angling needs.

• Best Overall: Eskimo Outbreak 450XD
• Best Value: Eskimo QuickFish 3i
• Best for Two People: Otter Outdoors Vortex Pro Cabin
• Best Four to Six People: CLAM X-600 Thermal Hub
• Best for Ice Camping: Otter Outdoors Vortex Pro Monster Lodge
• Best Lightweight One-Person Flip-Over: Ice Runner Ice House Escape
• Most Roomy One-Person Flip-Over: Eskimo Wide 1 XR Thermal
• Lightest Two-Person Flip-Over Thermal Shelter: Ice Runner Ice House Explorer
• Most Tricked-Out Two-Person Thermal Flip-Over: Jason Mitchell XT Thermal

The post The Best Ice Fishing Shelters of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best for Panfish		Clam CPT Frost Monofilament	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Durable, easy to knot, and highly versatile.
Best for Walleye and Pike		PowerPro Braided Fishing Line	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Strong and highly-sensitive braid that’s great for jigging deep water.
Best for Fluoro Leaders		Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary As invisible as its gets underwater and is abrasion resistant.

It’s no secret that using the best ice fishing line is critical for any setup. Whether it’s jigging for panfish or using tip-ups for pike, the cold water and hostile environment will push your line to its limits. Having the right line will make or break your chance at landing that trophy fish.  

Choosing the proper line can be complicated. There are multiple different kinds, with different properties, that are all used with different applications. Learning when and where to use each type takes a combination of knowledge and experience. That’s why I’ve created the below guide to help you better understand the best ice fishing lines and their properties.

• Best for Panfish: Clam CPT Frost Monofilament
• Best for Walleye and Pike: PowerPro Braided Fishing Line
• Best for Fluoro Leaders: Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader
• Best for Tip-Ups: Cabela’s Prestige Braided Dacron

How to Choose the Best Ice Fishing Line

Choosing the right line for ice fishing requires understanding the different line types and how they differ in a variety of factors, including:

• Visibility
• Knotting
• Memory 
• Stretch 
• Sensitivity
• Abrasion
• Resistance
• Line icing
• Cost

Matching your line to the situation is essential when making your selection. To do that, you need first to understand the basic properties of the three most popular types of fishing lines: monofilament (mono), fluorocarbon (fluoro), and braided line (braid).

Visibility

Visibility is how detectable the line is underwater. Fluoro is the most invisible, followed by mono, and then by braid, which is going to be the most visible. This means when dealing with ultra-clear water, or lineshy fish, it is recommended to use either fluorocarbon line or a fluorocarbon leader. 

When using a fluoro leader, anglers often use braid for the main line. This way you get the flexibility and sensitivity of braid without compromising fluoro’s invisibility. In almost all clear water situations I will cut 3 or 4 feet of fluorocarbon line to use as a leader.

Line Memory

If you’ve ever pulled line off an old reel and the line came off all curled up, you saw the effects of line memory. Mono and fluoro—especially mono—have the most memory. When spooled and stretched, these lines have a tendency to “remember” that shape which causes them to coil when spooled off the reel. This can drastically reduce line performance and sensitivity while also causing your lure to spin. For tough bites and low movement presentations, this spin can turn a lot of fish away. On the other hand, braid has no memory, and coiling is not an issue.

Stretch

Mono has the greatest stretch, followed by fluoro, which is stiffer but has some give. Braid, on the other hand, has almost no stretch. Braid’s lack of stretch increases sensitivity and helps with hooksets when fishing in deep water. 

But sometimes, stretch is a good thing. The stretch provides the line with “give” to cushion hooksets and hard runs. Because of this, I find monofilament works well in finesse bluegill and crappie situations. Here, having extra stretch helps mask the tension of the line and makes them less apt to spit out the bait before you can set the hook. 

Abrasion Resistance

Fluoro has the best abrasion resistance and slips along edges, making it an excellent leader option. Sharp teeth and ice much more easily cut mono and braid, and they tend to cut into and get caught up on rough edges at the bottom of the ice hole more often. When looking to avoid these situations, abrasion resistance will be your best friend. 

Water Absorption

Braid absorbs water which causes your rod eyelets and reel to freeze up quickly. This is obviously a big deal when ice fishing in the elements. The only upside of braid during the ice season is that it makes for easy ice removal. Mono and fluoro are not absorbent and usually take longer to freeze up. However, they can be a serious pain to thaw out when they do freeze. 

Price

Fluoro is usually the most expensive line option, followed by braid and monofilament. Of course, this is dependent on brand and quality, but generally speaking, mono will be the easiest on the wallet, and fluoro is best used as a leader if you want to save bucks. 

The Best Ice Fishing Lines: Reviews & Recommendations

Best for Panfish: Clam CPT Frost Monofilament

Clam Outdoors

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Key Features

• Low visibility
• Stretches but has low memory compared to many other monofilament lines
• 1- to 8-pound test
• Available in clear, gold, red/clear, and gold/clear
• Doesn’t lose strength or suppleness in the cold

Pros

• Excellent knot strength
• Adequate stretch for panfish
• High sensitivity for monofilament line
• Excellent shock resistance

Cons

• Still a monofilament line that can cause twists
• Cut easily by sharp teeth and ice edges
• Less sensitivity than fluorocarbon or braid

Clam CPT Frost Monofilament is considered one of the best ice fishing lines for panfish. It excels at working with finesse lures and detecting light bites, and it also has an excellent shock resistance that reduces the chance of the fish spitting the hook or ripping the lure out of paper-thin panfish lips. The Clam CPT Frost is also durable, easy to knot, and highly versatile, making it an excellent choice for beginners and seasoned anglers alike. I find Clam CPT Frost Mono best for jigging panfish because it is highly sensitive compared to other monofilament lines, making it great for ultra-light lures. The 3- to 4-pound test options are my picks for various panfish applications and provide excellent bite detection while also being able to handle the occasional walleye or pike. 

The limited stretch of Frost Mono (when compared to other mono) provides an ideal hookset while also allowing ample forgiveness for those wild panfish runs. Mono has the most stretch of any line, but this shock resistance works incredibly well for panfish. The stretch helps eliminate the tension and bait detection. It also ties easily, making swapping out lures styles and colors a breeze, which can be critical on tough bite days and for beginner anglers. Like all mono, its memory will cause some line twists and require you to change out your line every so often to prevent your lure from spinning and keep those finesse presentations still underwater. However, it’s generally the least expensive of all the line options making line changes a bit more affordable.

Best for Walleye and Pike: PowerPro Braided Fishing Line

PowerPro

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Key Features

• 5- to 80-pound test
• Colors: Moss Green and Hi-Vis Yellow
• No stretch
• High strength
• Sensitive
• Absorbs low moisture compared to competitive braid

Pros

• No line memory
• Very sensitive and responsive
• Runs smoothly on the reel
• Versatile
• Strong
• Wide range of weights for various applications
• Easy ice removal

Cons

• Very visible in the water, especially at higher weights
• Low shock resistance
• Absorbs water and can freeze (but better than most braids)
• Low abrasion resistance

Known for its strength and high sensitivity, braided line is a common go-to for most walleye and pike fishing applications, and PowerPro makes some of the best. PowerPro Braided line is available in a variety of poundage, so whether you’re after panfish, pike, sturgeon, or even something larger you’ll find something to suit your needs. It comes in various colors including moss green, vermillion red, and hi-vis yellow (making bites easily detectable). For targeting walleye, I like to use 8- to 10-pound test and upsize to target larger pike. Braid is more visible, so I often pair it with a fluorocarbon leader.

Braid’s strength, lack of stretch, and great sensitivity make this braid great for jigging deep water for large fish. Also, pay attention to your drag. Braid can quickly snap, so playing your drag is key to battling those bigger fish.  

Braid does collect ice quickly. However, it’s the easiest of the lines to remove ice from. Simply grab the line and slide your hand down the ice build up, and you’ll find it flies off quickly. 

Best for Fluoro Leaders: Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader

Seaguar

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Key Features

• Nearly invisible in water
• Low plasticity stays stretched once deformed
• UV resistant
• Chemical resistant
• Low moisture absorbant
• High-density

Pros

• Less visible underwater than mono
• Less memory than mono reduces line twisting
• Sinks faster than braid and mono
• Very abrasion resistant

Cons

• Can be difficult to tie
• Lower knot strength than mono or braid
• Cold temps can stiffen the line and cause it to unspool

Fluoro is used primarily for its lack of visibility. However, it’s not its only benefit. The abrasion resistance of fluoro makes it great for leaders which often come into contact with the razor-sharp teeth of predator fish and the edge of the ice hole. Seaguar’s Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader is one of the best at this. It’s as invisible as it gets underwater, and the stiffness allows control of your presentation and allows for excellent bite detection. Seaguar’s Blue Label Fluoro Leader line is made from 100% Seaguar resins with their proprietary extrusion process. It’s available in an enormous array of weights (2 to 80 pounds) that allows it to be used for just about any application. For walleye jigging, I recommend a couple of feet of 10- to 12-pound test at the end of any braided line. 

I like to tie directly from braid to fluoro with a double uni knot, but you can also use a swivel to make things easier. If you make your own quick-strike rigs for pike fishing, go with a 40- to 60- pound weight and use a small barrel swivel to help control the line twist that often happens on with tip-ups. It is on the pricey side, but its use as a leader allows a spool of line to go a long way. 

Best for Tip-Ups: Cabela’s Prestige Braided Dacron

Cabela’s

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Key Features

• 20- to 130-pound test
• Color: Green/white
• High-tensile strength
• Abrasion-resistant
• Minimal stretch
• Maximum knot strength

Pros

• Doesn’t tangle easily
• Very strong and durable
• Easy to hand-line and fight big fish
• Available in heavier weights

Cons

• Absorbs water and can freeze
• Can bite into the ice and get stuck
• Higher visibility

When hand-lining your catch on a tip-up, Dacron is easy to grab and doesn’t instantly turn into a tangled mess. This line can withstand a lot of abrasion from large fish circling or running parallel to the surface and rubbing the line against the bottom of your hole. Sharp teeth also cut through this heavy-duty line less often, making it essential for anyone targeting trophy pike. Although the Cabela’s Prestige Dacron soaks up water and can freeze easily when moving between fishing locations, you can pull it to break it free from a frozen spool without worrying about snapping the line. Classic uncoated black Dacron line is hard to beat when it comes to fishing with tip-ups. You could also run a coated Dacron line like Suffix V-Coat. The coated line works well and freezes up less, but it has more stretch and memory to deal with, making it challenging to hang baits horizontally. 

When I use Dacron line I like a heavier test—30 to 60 pounds. It find it works best not only for rolling off the spool smoothly but also for handling the line easier when fighting a trophy-sized fish. The thicker diameter of heavier test also bites less into the ice at the bottom of the hole. Be sure to pair it with heavy-duty tackle. For pike, a good recommendation is to tie on a heavy-duty swivel at the end and attach a quick-strike tandem treble hook rig. Steel or titanium leaders are common on pre-made rigs, but making your own with a heavy-duty fluorocarbon leader can give you a more invisible presentation to help improve your catch rate without sacrificing much in the way of strength and durability.

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

There is no one-size-fits-all fishing line when it comes to ice fishing. In fact, you can catch fish on any line, but if you want to improve your catch rate, make the most of your rods and tackle, and spend less time trying and more time catching, then educating yourself on line becomes essential.  

• Best for Panfish: Clam CPT Frost Monofilament
• Best for Walleye and Pike: PowerPro Braided Fishing Line
• Best for Fluoro Leaders: Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader
• Best for Tip-Ups: Cabela’s Prestige Braided Dacron

The post The Best Ice Fishing Lines of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Garmin LiveScope Bundle LI	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Intuitive live sonar display.
Best Budget		Vexilar FL-8SE “Genz Pack”	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Entry level price with reliable performance.
Best Portable		Aqua-Vu Micro Revolution 5.0	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Extremely packable and easy to use.

For nearly half the year, ice fishing in the north country is a simple fact of life—like taxes, death, and mischief—except immeasurably more enjoyable once you work through the “mischief” of staying warm. At least part of the fun part lies in the search for fish beneath the crystalline veneer—and thanks to the constant evolution of ice fishing fish finders, it’s never been easier. As an avid ice angler, I’ve been able to test out the best ice fishing fish finders and share my experience with them to help you find the best one for you. Here are my top picks. 

• Best Overall: Garmin LiveScope Ice Bundle LI
• Best Budget Sonar: Vexilar FL-8SE “Genz Pack”
• Best Underwater Camera: Aqua-Vu QUAD HD
• Best Digital Ice Sonar: MarCum LX-7L
• Best Portable: Aqua-Vu Micro Revolution Pro 5.0
• Best Combo Sonar/GPS: Humminbird Ice Helix 7 CHIRP G4

History of Ice Sonar

Close to forty years ago, a legendary angler named Dave Genz—aka Mr. Ice Fishing— engineered an ingenious way to garage-rig his flasher-sonar unit for ice duty. He called it the “blue box,” a portable, carriable sonar shuttle complete with a motorcycle battery for sonar power and an adjustable transducer arm that hung down in the water. Genz glued a small, round RV style level to the top of the ‘ducer to assure a clear, level signal and the clearest possible picture of fish and his lure. Attach an old Humminbird Super-Sixty or an early Vexilar FL-8 to the base in those days, and you were lightyears ahead of the crowd. 

I remember those early pioneering days with affection, occasionally fishing with Mr. Ice Fishing himself. Genz’s singular innovation forever transformed the game of ice fishing, opening the underwater world to our eyes and turning the sport into a dynamic and interactive pursuit. The first time I watched a “blip” of a fish ascend on the screen and stalk my jig, I was hooked for life. When underwater cameras arrived on the scene a few years later, our under-ice education soared to even greater heights. Today, given new innovations in live sonar, GPS, and underwater video, the best ice fishing fish finders are teaching us more about fish behavior than ever while even helping us better understand the value of catch and release. 

Best Overall: Garmin LiveScope Ice Fishing Bundle LI

Garmin

SEE IT

Why It Made the Cut
The ability to scout for fish and structure under the ice up to 200 feet in any direction without drilling additional holes is a major advantage, and it’s totally transformed the hardwater game. To make the best even better, Garmin has improved upon its previous LiveScope Ice Bundle by offering a lighter, longer-running lithium-ion battery and a more manageable cable system.

Key Features

• 9-inch ECHOMAP UHD 93sv chartplotter display
• Panoptix LiveScope System
• Panoptix ice fishing bracket with swivel pole mount
• Portable ice fishing carry bag with sonar shuttle
• Lithium-ion battery with battery charger

Pros

• Intuitive live sonar display vividly depicts fish moving and reacting to your lure in near real-time
• Adjustable transducer can look off to the sides (for finding moving fish) or straight down to allow the angler to watch fish react to a lure in near real-time
• 12-volt lithium-ion battery lasts a long time in cold weather 
• Includes traditional 2D sonar as well as LiveScope mode
• Display unit comes preloaded with LakeVü g3 maps with integrated Navionics data covering more than 18,000 lakes in the U.S.

Cons

• “Black box” sonar module and transducer arm make the unit heavy and harder to carry from ice hole to ice hole, relative to traditional ice sonar units

Product Description
After using Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope technology for several winters, particularly for locating crappies and other offshore schooling species, I can’t imagine fishing without it. The fact that I can drill one hole, dip the transducer and rotate it 360-degrees and look at least 100 feet in all directions saves immeasurable amounts of time and drilling effort. It’s no longer a question of if you’ll find fish, but when. Not only does the technology allow you to discover hidden schools of fish—or individual large specimens—it also shows you to see the direction of travel and the number of fish in the school. Moreover, we can now discern different fish species, such as crappies versus perch. 

One caveat: the potency of the technology, more than ever, highlights the need to release the larger fish of all species, as well as leaving fish alone when they’re in deeper water and vulnerable to the ill-effects of barotrauma. 

Read Next: Best Ice Fishing Shelters

Best Budget Sonar: Vexilar FL-8SE “Genz Pack”

Vexilar

SEE IT

Why It Made the Cut
The FL-8 is as reliable and bulletproof as ever, crisply displaying the angler’s lure and fish in an exciting game of cat and mouse. 

Key Features

• Circular flasher with three-color LED display
• 10-step Interference Rejection technology
• Classic Genz “Blue Box” carrying case for display unit, battery, and transducer
• Target separation: 2.65 inches / Target ID: .5 inch
• 12-volt 7-amp battery with battery charger
• Self-leveling Ice-Ducer transducer

Pros

• Entry level price with reliable performance, even in the coldest weather 
• Rugged design holds up to the abuse of ice fishing conditions and transport
• Analog operation yields near real-time coverage of lure and fish movements

Cons

• Lacks acute target separation of higher-end sonar units
• Despite its interference rejection system, it can still succumb to “noise” from nearby sonar units (remember, ice fishing is often a social activity)

Product Description

The Vexilar FL-8SE is the archetypal ice fishing sonar that transformed ice fishing from static and sedentary to interactive and engaging. This classic piece of ice fishing gear has been around for 40 years and is the “Kleenex” brand of ice fishing sonar. It remains the most popular ice fishing fish finder, and I’ve been using my model for thirty years. My Vexilar FL-8SE is still alive and kicking after all those seasons of use, which is a testament to its durability. 

In addition to being reliable and effective at finding fish, the FL-8SE is the best ice fishing fish finder for beginners to learn the ropes. That’s because it’s easy to set up and find fish. If you’re new to ice fishing or want a time-tested design, you can’t go wrong with the FL-8SE. 

Best Underwater Camera: Aqua-Vu QUAD HD

Aqua-Vu

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Why It Made the Cut
Four HD cameras in one fist-sized housing show anglers fish approaching from all directions or for monitoring multiple lures on one screen. 

Key Features

• 10-inch Daylight Viewable LCD
• 4-way QUAD HD camera for 360-degree, panoramic underwater viewing
• On-screen displays of digital depth and water temperature
• 125-feet of camera cable
• High intensity, adjustable infrared (IR) lighting
• Portable carrying shuttle with 12-volt 9-amp battery & charger
• HDMI video output

Pros

• Four-way QUAD camera eliminates the need to spin and rotate the lens
• IP67 waterproof and heated LCD
• Easy to mount/use in a boat for summer
• Connects to a big-screen TV (via HDMI) for use inside a large, wheeled ice fishing house

Cons

• Large size and weight limit its portability, especially when used outside an ice fishing shelter
• Cable management can become unwieldy at excessive depths
• Limited visibility at night or in dark, muddy water

Product Description

The Aqua-Vu QUAD HD is an underwater camera that simultaneously gives you a complete view of the underwater terrain in every direction. Deploying the optics and watching fish approach from any direction is an incredible, immersive experience—as close to scuba diving as you’ll get without diving in. You watch the action on the crystal-clear 10 inch LCD, or you can even connect it to a big-screen TV inside a wheeled ice house. The Aqua-Vu is more than an ice fishing fish finder, it’s also interactive entertainment for kids and friends who will love watching the underwater action. The QUAD HD adds endless entertainment to your hardwater excursions even when the fish aren’t biting.

Best Digital Ice Sonar: MarCum LX-7L

MarCum

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Why It Made the Cut
Probably the most powerful, precise, and smartly engineered ice sonar I’ve used, the MarCum LX-7L remains a top choice among expert ice anglers. MarCum’s industry-leading noise rejection software means I can fish close to several other anglers and their sonar units without any on-screen interference. 

Key Features

• 8-inch flatpanel color LCD with 4 color palette options
• Dual-beam 8/20-degree ice transducer
• Selectable zoom to target any segment of the water column
• 12-volt 10-amp lithium-ion battery with charger
• Deluxe padded soft pack / portable carrying shuttle

Pros

• Industry best patented 12-step interference rejection
• Industry best ½ inch target separation
• Upgradable firmware for constant improvements/ bug fixes

Cons

• No GPS/mapping

Product Description

MarCum Technologies’ LX-7L is the best digital ice fishing fish finder I’ve used. The acute target separation lets me see my jig hovering within an inch of the bottom or within a school of tightly clustered crappies. A specially designed sonar dashboard provides key data, such as sonar-beam diameter (bottom coverage) at any depth. The advanced digital ice sonar offers an almost endless array of on-screen options and customizable windows, including split-screen flasher and real-time vertical modes.  

Also consider the Marcum LX-7Li for added features. 

Read Next: The Best Fish Finders of 2023

Best Portable: Aqua-Vu Micro Revolution Pro 5.0

Aqua-Vu

SEE IT

Why It Made the Cut
The Micro Revolution Pro is invaluable for finding productive water as you move from hole to hole.  

Key Features

• 5-inch smartphone-sized LCD
• Internal lithium-ion battery with charger
• DVR for recording underwater video and photos 
• Patented “Revolution” spool for easy cable management

Pros

• Extremely portable and easy to use
• Allows for underwater video recording and uploading
• Works equally well in a boat, on fishing docks, or other open water applications

Cons

• Battery runtime decreases in sub-zero temperatures
• Ultrathin camera cable can be difficult to manipulate and rotate when panning the optics

Product Description
The hand-sized Micro Revolution Pro 5.0 remains a key part of my arsenal for run-and-gun fish-finding. Deploying and retrieving the camera optics is as quick as cranking a fishing reel. I can instantly check underwater habitat or determine fish presence and species. It’s particularly helpful in shallow water vegetation, where sonar can’t differentiate signals. 

Because it fits into my coat pocket, the self-contained Micro Revolution Pro underwater camera goes everywhere I go on ice. Sometimes, its value lies in quickly verifying species shown on sonar. When I’m trying to find big bluegills in grass I keep the Aqua-Vu active all day long. In addition to live, colorful underwater video and digital recording, the Aqua-Vu camera offers on-screen displays of water temperature and camera direction (for locating your lure and determining fish movements.) 

Numerous North American Ice Fishing Championships have been won by anglers using this slick little device, and every serious angler needs one in their kit. 

Best Combo Sonar/GPS Unit: Humminbird Ice Helix 7 CHIRP G4

Humminbird

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Why It Made the Cut
Running digital GPS maps and ice sonar on one unit has become a no-brainer for many anglers, including myself. Up here in the northern ice belt, LakeMaster maps provide the most detailed and accurate depth contours available, even for some of the smaller, lesser-known lakes. Meanwhile, Humminbird’s vivid CHIRP sonar imagery continues to bolster its resolution and on-screen detail with each generation. 

Key Features

• 7-inch HD display with sonar/chartplotter functionality
• Built-in GPS with Humminbird Basemaps and LakeMaster / Navionics compatibility
• Newly-redesigned ice shuttle
• 12-volt 15-amp hour lithium-ion battery with dual USB ports

Pros

• Combines 2D sonar and HD digital lake mapping in one unit
• AutoChart Live ICE allows anglers to DIY map their own lakes
• Smartly designed sonar shuttle built for customization—adding Go-Pro mounts, rod holders, and other accessories
• Bonus “Jig Charge Mode” keeps your glow lures shining

Cons

• Expensive

Product Overview

The multifaceted talents of Humminbird’s Ice Helix units have prompted a major shift from analog flashers to combination digital sonar/GPS. My primary ice sonar unit the past three seasons, the Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G4, differentiates fish with bottom or your jig, thanks to its acute ¾ inch target separation. I also like that I can select from the classic circular flasher view, or widescreen sonar mode—or both on separate windows, simultaneously. The unit’s adjustable zoom feature means I can magnify the bottom or any segment of the water column. The Helix 7 was chosen as one of the best portable fish finders too, so you can take it from your jon boat in the summer to the ice without missing a beat.

How to Choose an Ice Fishing Fish Finder

When shopping for a fish finder, your primary considerations should obviously include your budget and your comfort level with various technology and extra features. If you simply want to see fish and your lure and aren’t interested in digital mapping, you’ll likely enjoy the simple functionality of an analog-style flasher. Also consider whether you’re a mobile angler like myself, fishing out on the open ice, or if you prefer to fish in the comforts of an ice fishing shelter. An underwater camera might be the most exciting (and educational) option if you prefer the latter. Also, regardless of technology, consider upgrading to one of the newer, lighter lithium-ion batteries. Although more expensive than standard gel cell batteries, lithium-ions offer longer runtime per charge and better cold-weather performance.

FAQs

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Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

Many anglers ponder which to buy first: an ice flasher/sonar versus an underwater camera. Both are considered invaluable hardwater fish-finding tools. For simply seeing fish and watching them interact with your lure, sonar remains the primary choice. And yet, for scouting new water—particularly shallow structure and vegetation where sonar views may be obscured—an underwater camera is invaluable, both as a fish-finder and as a learning tool. Eventually, most seasoned ice anglers add both tools to their arsenal. 

Finally, consider the rise of live sonar, such as Garmin Panoptix. This powerful tool gives anglers the ability to read below the ice without requiring additional holes or running the risk of spooking fish. Live sonar will eventually become standard ice fishing equipment among most serious hardwater explorers. 

• Best Overall: Garmin LiveScope Ice Bundle LI
• Best Budget Sonar: Vexilar FL-8SE “Genz Pack”
• Best Underwater Camera: Aqua-Vu QUAD HD
• Best Digital Ice Sonar: MarCum LX-7L
• Best Portable: Aqua-Vu Micro Revolution Pro 5.0
• Best Combo Sonar/GPS: Humminbird Ice Helix 7 CHIRP G4

The post The Best Ice Fishing Fish Finders of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Lures are great at catching more than one fish species, and I like to bundle my gear as much as I can. By combining the best walleye and perch lures into one tackle box, I can quickly switch to perch if the walleyes aren’t biting, and vice versa, without carrying multiple tackle boxes. With that said, the list below contains some of the all-around best walleye ice fishing lures.

If you’ve thought about consolidating your walleye ice fishing tackle box but don’t know where to start, consider these 10 jigs and lures that are also great for catching perch. A few are classics that continue to produce time and time again, and the rest will likely become classics in the years to come.

Rapala Jigging Rap

Rapala

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This timeless lure should be grandfathered into any ice fishing lures list. While the larger #5, #7 and #9 sizes work great for walleyes and other large fish, the smaller #2 and #3 work amazingly well for perch. When the walleye bite gets tough for me, I downsize to the small sizes for perch, though I recommend modifying it with a larger treble hook versus the one that comes from the factory. A larger hook seems to improve the number of hookups and decrease the number of lost fish. Another good trick is to place a small split ring on the attachment point to make changing hooks easier, create a little more action on a tipped treble, and give fish less leverage to throw the hook.

Rapala Slab Rap

Rapala

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The key to being a good ice fisherman is not just about catching fish, but catching high caliber fish. Though I realize when a school of perch moves in and gets fired up, hooking into the keepers and not the throwbacks is often easier said than done. The Slab Rap has a much less aggressive swimming motion than its cousin the Jigging Rap. This plastic bait’s subtle action is similar to other lures that are made out of balsa, and because the movement is so appealing to fish, you can use it bait free and the smaller fish seem to let it be. There are two pint-sized models available, a 1 ½-inch 1/8 ounce and 2-inch ¼ ounce, and either works exceptionally well for catching keeper-sized walleyes and perch.

Silver Streak Rattle Streak Spoon

Silver Streak

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The Rattle Streak is one of my go-to baits for Great Lakes walleye and perch, whether I’m fishing on open or hard-water. This jig has flatter sides than many other similar lures, and while sizes are available up to ¾ ounce, the smaller ¼ and 3/8 ounce models seem to be much more effective, especially if water depth and current allow you to see it on your electronics. The custom rattle draws fish in when jigged aggressively, but don’t be afraid to slow down at times and simply fish it without any movement at all. Tip the hook with a minnow head when fish are size sensitive, or three full minnows if you’re having trouble drawing fish in. Aside from the enticing action caused by the thin, flat sides, it’s available in dozens of eye-catching glow, UV and plated finishes.

Tungsten has changed the way ice angler’s fish for panfish. It’s denser than lead, so you can use small lures when fish are finicky and have enough weight to quickly get back down into a school of biting fish. That’s one reason I like the Clam XL and XXL. These jigs hang on the line at a 45-degree angle, and have hooks that are much larger than anything else in the same class. This allows you to use larger live bait or plastics and still have enough hook gap to get a solid hookup. This lure is widely popular among panfish and perch anglers, but it’s a sleeper for even the pickiest hard-water walleyes. It’s available in numerous sizes, shapes and finishes to match almost any scenario you come across.

Clam Leech Flutter Spoon

Clam Outdoors

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Named because its silhouette resembles a leech, the original leech spoon was released a few years ago and has been so successful that Clam developed the larger “super” series and smaller “panfish” models. The original is still one of the best walleye ice fishing lures. The leech shape, zinc body and feathered treble hook creates an action that seems to drive perch and walleyes nuts. When fish are aggressive, the feathered treble often allows you to fish it baitless and it’s just as effective as it is with bait. The leech spoon sinks like a stone and is available in 12 finishes that are either plated or glow.

Reef Runner Cicada

Reef Runner

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The Reef Runner Cicada is a unique lure with a curved design and a willow-bladed body. It’s available in sizes up to ¾ ounce, but the smaller 1/8 and ¼ ounce versions seem to consistently be the best performers for hard-water perch and walleye, and the 1/16-ounce size is so small that it only features one hook. You can tip the lure with everything from maggots to shiners, but don’t overload it because it can drastically change the action. Like most Reef Runner products, Cicadas are available in a wide range of finishes like Green Glow and Antifreeze, and also come plated with prism tape.

Custom Jigs and Spins Slender Spoon

Custom Jigs and Spins

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This jig is a compact flutter spoon that has an exaggerated kicking action when dropped in the water column on a slack line. The movement is so hyperbolic that it actually jumps at a 45-degree angle without too much coercing. However, like with so many flutter spoons, the biggest mistake is overloading it with too much bait, which effectively kills the action. A small minnow head or a few small maggots are still enough to draw perch and walleye in and not impair the flutter action. Personally, I have had better results with the smaller 1/16 and 1/8 ounce sizes, but when you’re fishing in a current, or fishing especially deep, the 5/16-ounce model produces better. It features the same footprint as the 1/8-ounce, but the body is much thicker, so you can fish it more aggressively and tip it with larger bait.

Acme Kastmaster

Acme

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The Kastmaster is a long-time producer for me that would also likely be included in an ice-fishing lure “classics” list. It’s been so successful that in recent years Kastmaster has created new models with lifelike finishes, and even designed a rattle system if you want to add sound. While these new models have been productive, the go-to classic lures, with their simple paint schemes and prism-taped finishes, work better. Sizes from 1/12 to 3/8 ounce have worked the best when fished like a spoon, but don’t be afraid to also use it as an attractor by removing the treble hook and adding a chain hook. Then you’ll be able to use the spoon’s weight to get deep, and the motion and flash as an attractor. Shy perch or walleyes can hit the baited chain hook without feeling the weight of the lure just long enough for you to set the hook.

EuroTackle Z Viber

EuroTackle

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The Z Viber is a newcomer EuroTackle taunts as a hybrid lipless crank and blade bait. Large sizes of this lure closely resemble traditional hard-water lipless cranks, but the smallest 1/16-ounce differs from the larger offerings and has gained popularity because of its unique single hook design, which makes it perfect for fishing without bait. Tip it with a small plastic bait like a Maki Spiiki to give your presentation the slightest action, even when the lure is sitting still, all without hurting the lure’s effectiveness. This can be an important adjustment when fish aren’t attracted to the aggressive action of a lipless crank and less movement seems to draw more strikes.

Bay de Noc Swedish Pimple

Bay de Noc

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When you begin a rundown of the best walleye baits and perch lures with a classic, it’s only fitting that you close with one as well. If I had a penny for every fish the Swedish Pimple has caught through the ice, I wouldn’t need to work. The design of the bait hasn’t changed over time, though it’s now offered in dozens of fancy painted colors and prism-tape finishes. While sizes #3 and #4 seem to be the workhorse for both perch and walleye, don’t be afraid to remove the treble hook and use a dropper chain like you would with a Kastmaster.

The post The Best Walleye Ice Fishing Lures appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Brad Lila of Hudson, Wisconsin, was ice fishing on the sprawling 132,000-acre Mille Lacs Lake on Jan. 22 when he caught, measured, and released a big northern pike. The Minnesota DNR has certified the fish at 46.25 inches long as a tie for the state-record in the catch-and-release category, the agency announced Monday.

“I set the hook as the line was quickly peeling out,” Lila says. “Immediately, I knew it was a very large fish because it peeled out drag and there was no stopping it. After about 10 minutes of fighting the fish, I knew that it might take more than me to land it.”

Lila yelled for aid to a pair of nearby ice anglers, who then came to help him. Lila struggled to fight the fish to the ice opening, but the pike was big, tough, and ice slush in the hole made landing the northern difficult. It’s all shown in the YouTube video above.

“Every time she would get near, a few inches of slush would come up and we couldn’t see down the hole,” Lila said. “An additional challenge was that my braided line would groove the bottom of the ice and when my knot connecting the fluorocarbon leader would meet the ice bottom, it would get stuck. I’d have to put my rod down into the hole to free up my line and then my line guides would freeze.”

A half-hour later Lila got his hands on the fish. He cut himself in the process, but as one of his buddies joked, the fish was “worth it” and his hand would heal. After cutting the line, Lila hauled the pike through the hole, made some quick measurements of the fish (46.25 inches long with a 23.66-inch girth) while the camera was running, and released the fish. DNR officials said the pike was likely a female fish laden with eggs before spawning.

“It was so satisfying seeing her swim away,” Lila said. “I am so very appreciative of the state of Minnesota for supporting a catch and release [record fish] program. It’s great to know that she’s out there passing along those incredible genes and that someone else may have a chance of landing her someday.” 

Lila’s pike tied for the other largest catch-and-release pike by open-water angler Brecken Kobylecky of Geneva, Illinois. His 46.25-inch pike was caught and released on June 19, 2021 from Basswood Lake near the Ontario border.

The heaviest Minnesota pike in the program, which weighed 45.75 pounds, also came from Basswood Lake. The IGFA world-record northern pike weighed 55 pounds, 1ounce and was caught in 1986 in Germany.

The post Wisconsin Ice Fisherman Catches a Northern Pike on Mille Lacs to Tie Minnesota State-Record appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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It was a long and cold fight, but worth the effort when lifelong angler Sam Boucha hauled an estimated 57-pound lake trout through a hole in the ice on March 3 from an unnamed lake near Red Lake, Ontario.

Boucha and her boyfriend, Brad Molloy, took advantage of a day off work to go ice fishing at a lake near Red Lake, located in west-central Ontario north of Kenora. Because their snowmobile was acting up, they decided to fish a different lake than they had planned.

They caught a few fish using ice tackle positioned over holes in the hard water. Then Boucha noticed an ice rod bowed. Its reel was spooled with 50-pound test braided line and tied to a 3/8-ounce jig with a 5-inch sucker. When she picked up the rod it felt like a heavy weight was attached to the end of the line.

The fight lasted nearly an hour, with the stubborn lake trout staying deep and making it tough for Boucha to reel the fish toward the ice. When she finally muscled the fish close enough to see it, the anglers realized the massive laker wouldn’t fit through the hole.

Read Next: The Best Lake Trout Lures

Boucha fought the fish, spit the hook. Boucha grabbed the laker with her bare hands in the lake’s frigid water until Molloy could drill a second hole.

“I was frozen,” says Boucha, who works for a hospital foundation in Red Lake. “It was bare-handed, arm down the 2.5-foot ice hole to my shoulder, holding on to that fish until the second hole was drilled. I could barely hold it.”

Once the second hole opened, Boucha was able to pull it through the widened opening. The fish died in the effort to haul it through the ice, so Boucha decided to mount it. She was delighted with her huge laker, calling it an unreal catch and crediting Molloy in a team effort. They headed to a nearby ice shack to warm up, where they weighed the fish on a hand scale—which bottomed out at 50 pounds.

Using a length-girth formula to determine its weight, the two calculated the 57.75-inch laker with a 31-inch girth weighed more than 57 pounds. It’s the biggest fish Boucha has ever caught.

Boucha plans to have the trout mounted by a taxidermist. She also provided the pectoral fin and an ocular bone to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to age the fish.

Her catch has been heralded throughout the Red Lake area, and widely on social media.

“[One comment] was from a family friend here in Red Lake and he was like, ‘You’re a fishing goddess.’ I like that,” Boucha said.

The post Ontario Anglers Had to Drill a Second Hole in the Ice to Land This Giant Laker appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Ice fishing requires attention to gear suitable for cold, windy, and snowy conditions. At the top of the gear list is finding the ideal ice fishing suit to match where, how, and when you ice fish. 

Besides where in the Ice Belt you reside—and average winter temperatures and wind chills—it’s important to match the suit to how you will be ice fishing. Will you be fishing outside in the elements primarily, hole-hopping, and fishing in the cold and wind? Or will you spend your time in a portable or permanent ice shelter? 

If you’re like many ice anglers, you’ll be doing both on various days, so versatility is key. You may need a super-warm suit that is layered for temperature control so you can dress appropriately to fish aggressively outside where the suit acts as a mobile shelter you wear—as well as inside with the removal of an outside jacket shell. 

As for when you’re ice fishing, do you venture out on hard water during early and late ice? If so, it’s essential to consider a flotation-assisted ice fishing suit if you break through the ice. As you’ll discover in the following review, many flotation suits are being offered today. However, you may not need a flotation suit if you fish primarily during safer mid-ice conditions. 

With the help of friends, I tested the best ice fishing suits to give you the information you need to find the right jacket and bib for you.

• Best Overall Flotation Ice Suit: Striker Climate Jacket & Bib
• Warmest, Battery-Assisted Flotation Ice Suit: Norfin Explorer 2 Float Jacket and Bib
• Most Rugged Ice Fishing Flotation Suit: Eskimo Roughneck Jacket and Bib
• Lightest Flotation Ice Fishing Suit: StrikeMaster Surface Jacket & Bib
• Best Value: Ice Runner Float Jacket and Bib
• Best Flotation Ice Fishing Suit for Plus-Sized Anglers: Eskimo Scout Jacket and Bib
• Best Flotation Ice Fishing Suit for Women: Ice Armour by CLAM Womens RISE Parka and Bib
• Best Flotation Ice Fishing Suit For Kids: DSG Outerwear Arctic Appeal 2.0 Ice Jacket and Bib
• Warmest Non-Flotation Ice Fishing Suit: SIMMS Challenger Jacket and Bib
• Best Basic Non-Flotation Ice Fishing Suit: Blocker Outdoors Outdoor Pursuit Reliant Parka and Bib
• Best Lightweight/Least Bulky Non-Flotation Ice Fishing Suit: Blackfish StormSkin Gale Pullover Jacket & StormSkin Gale Bib

How I Picked the Best Ice Fishing Suits

During December, January, and February of 2023, I tested many of the suits listed with the help of several fishing buddies and family. We fished northern Minnesota waters like Lake Winnibigoshish and Leech; the lakes of West-Central Minnesota; Fort Peck, Montana; and metropolitan fisheries. We even did some testing on open-water during the mid-winter river thaw, fishing walleyes in a boat to determine the double-duty aspect of some suits. 

The Best Ice Fishing Suit Reviews and Recommendations 

Best Overall Flotation Ice Suit: Striker Climate Jacket and Bib

Striker

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 Key Features 

• 3-in-1 jacket system – Climate G2 Softshell Jacket liner can be removed for warmer days on the ice or worn as a separate jacket 
• 300D polyester shell with DWR finish
• Two large top-loading storage pockets
• Zippered vents throughout the jacket
• Sections of reflective fabric areas for added safety on & off the ice
• Line cutter zipper pull
• Hydrapore Waterproof 5,000mm / Breathable 5,000g
• 150g Sureflote flotation assistance
• Waterproof Zippers
• Crotch panel reinforcement
• Adjustable inseams secured by Velcro, zippers, and snaps
• Knee and seat padding
• Removable hand wipe towels

Pros

• Incredible versatility
• Four wearable systems in one, from ice fishing to rainwear to waterfowl, and casual wear
• Very dry
• Awesome knee & seat padding for kneeling on ice or all-day sits

Cons

• Price 
• Slightly heavy & bulky
• Removable hand wipe towels on bibs easily unsnapped & lost
• Jacket runs small (size up); bibs appropriate for size description

While on the expensive side, what you get with the Striker Climate Jacket and Bib is worth the investment. It’s actually four suits in one. 

First, it’s a well-designed flotation ice fishing suit for extremely cold and windy weather. Second, by removing the bib liner and softshell jacket liner, it’s a very capable winter, spring, and fall open-water rain suit. As well, it doubles as a waterfowl or late-season deer hunting ensemble (albeit a bit noisy) if you’re in a pinch. While the camo pattern isn’t your typical Realtree or Mossy Oak, it is passable with lots of brown fabric to keep you relatively hidden in the marsh or woods. 

Lastly, you can remove the Climate G2 Softshell Jacket liner and wear it casually off-the-ice. It’s not very warm on its own, but perfectly suitable for warmer, windy days as a light jacket over a t-shirt.

For its versatility, warmth, and overall design, the Striker Climate Jacket and Bib in Veil Stryk Transition Camo gets our pick for “Best Overall Flotation Ice Fishing Suit”. 

Warmest, Battery-Assisted Flotation Ice Suit: Norfin Explorer 2 Float Jacket and Bib

Norfin

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 Key Features 

• Shell with removable, heated inner liner jacket
• Rated to -45 degrees Fahrenheit
• Nortex breathable material w/10,000 mm waterproofing
• Breathability: 8,000 grams/m²/24 hours
• Hollofil insulation
• Taped seams
• Zippered handwarmer pockets
• Reflective printing
• Battery-operated Norfin heat system for heat in back & hip areas
• Requires a 2.1 aH minimum power bank (not included)
• Built-in, internal ankle gaiters for snow & slush protection
• Taped seams
• Removable inserts on the knee and seat

Pros

• Lightweight for a flotation suit
• Numerous pockets in all the right places 
• Electric heat system for sub-zero conditions
• Articulated knees and sleeves
• Small-3XL sizing

Cons

• Power banks for jacket & bib must be purchased separately

While battery-assisted apparel is nothing new—with companies like Cabela’s and Milwaukee Tool offering options—the Norfin Element 2 Flotation Ice Fishing suit is the first ensemble we know of for hardwater use that offers lithium-power bank heat-assist technology. 

In a nutshell, the Norfin Element 2 Flotation Ice Fishing suit is designed for serious abuse in the worst and coldest conditions imaginable. Even without turning the heating elements on, the suit is beyond warm. 

With origins in Russia and popularity across the Baltic region and Scandinavia, Norfin products are now available stateside and have become the de-facto choice with professional, competitive ice anglers. 

While I wore the suit on a couple of outings, I let my friend and former colleague (and NAIFC competitor), Shawn Bjonfald, do the majority of the suit testing. 

“The lightweight design is great, and it still offers floatation,” says Bjonfald. “It fits well. It’s not bulky or cumbersome like some floatation suits, and the pockets-design is great. The pockets are where they should be and easily accessible so you can organize all of your tackle and tools when you’re fishing on-the-fly outside.”

“I fish on foot a lot during the NAIFC tournaments,” continues Bjonfald. “I’m not hunkered down in one spot, so my suit becomes my mobile shelter and my tackle box, so the Norfin pocket design is ideal. I had everything I needed on me in the suit for easy access and organization. From searching out fish on the ATV, then fishing by foot, and frequently moving from spot to spot, it’s probably the best suit I’ve ever worn.”

“I’ve gone through a lot of ice fishing suits over the years that didn’t fit well, were too bulky, or just didn’t feel right, which fatigue and wear you down. That’s not the case with the Norfin design.”

With regards to warmth, Bjonfald says it can’t be beaten.

“One of the times I wore the suit, it was -5 and gave off more heat than I needed. I recommend wearing the power bank-assisted base layer jacket with the outside shell for conditions below zero. For conditions above zero, all you need are the bibs and the outer shell jacket. I have yet to engage the heating on the bibs, but it’s there if I need it. Plus, the Velcro on the ankle/boot cuffs stays in place and doesn’t come loose, which is great for the slushy conditions I often compete in,” remarks Bjonfald.

Bjonfald concludes: “In terms of durability, I haven’t seen one lick of wear yet.”

Read Next: Best Heated Vests

Most Rugged Ice Fishing Flotation Suit: Eskimo Roughneck Jacket and Bib

Eskimo

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 Key Features 

• Proprietary Eskimo UPLYFT breathable flotation-assist; sweat and moisture are allowed to escape the fabric and move away from the skin
• Lightweight, tough, and durable DURADRY fabric; windproof with DWR, and 5k/5k waterproof/breathability ratings
• Fully-taped seams for complete waterproof protection
• Lined with Sherpa fleece
• Reinforced wear points at shoulders, knees, ankles, and elbows
• YKK zippers
• Contoured, padded knees
• Full leg zippers w/ venting at the hip

Pros

• Affordable
• Warm but lightweight
• Jacket isn’t bulky
• Minimal bulk for flotation bib
• Built-to-last
• Ease of movement
• Padded knees in bib for kneeling on hard, jagged ice

Cons

• Only one hip pocket per bib side; Eskimo Keeper bib has two

My fishing buddy, Ty Macheledt, tested both the Eskimo Roughneck and Scout suits. Macheledt works every day from 5 a.m. until 2 p.m. and fishes almost daily from 2:30 until dark—both on the ice and during open-water months.

Living in western North Dakota, he’s used to a lot of wind and cold and was the perfect candidate to test these candidates for the best ice fishing suits, which claim extremely rugged and warm features. He also makes several trips to Fort Peck, Montana, to chase lake trout through the ice, where he also tested the suits this winter. 

“The Eskimo Roughneck suit is warm without the bulk and weight of a typical flotation suit,” says Macheledt. “Then imagine the knee pads you’d put in your football pants. That’s the quality and thickness of the pads in the Eskimo Roughneck Bibs, which you can leave in or remove via pockets inside the bib. I’ve never seen anything comparable in other bibs. Plus, you’ve got big hip pockets on the bibs, which is handy for tackle and other gear. The bibs also have ankle gaiters to prevent slush from getting in, but I don’t use them because my boots are so tall that I don’t need them.” 

“I wore the Roughneck down to about 5 degrees and was perfectly warm. I just had a sweatshirt on under the jacket and blue jeans under the bibs. I was fine.” 

Lightest Ice Fishing Suit: StrikeMaster Surface Jacket and Bib

Strikemaster

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 Key Features 

• SOS (Stay on Surface) Flotation Technology – floats for 2 hours when worn as a pair
• Fleece-lined warming pockets
• Inside zip pocket for cell phone, wallet, etc. 
• YKK zippers
• Magnetic flap on main zipper
• Removable hood
• 100% nylon oxford fabric – 100% nylon tasion fabric
• 100% Polyester/PU Coating – 100% Polyester Tricot Lining
• 120g padded insulation + EPE Foam – 40g equivalent)
• Waterproof (8000mm); Breathability (8000mm)
• Zip-to-Hip side zippers

Pros

• Affordable
• Extra-small to 4XL sizing
• Lightweight for a flotation suit
• Not bulky
• Magnetic flaps
• Padded knees for kneeling on jagged ice
• Available in red/black & blue/gray patterns

Cons

• None

StrikeMaster has a long, respected history in the ice fishing world for manufacturing high-quality ice augers, accessories, and more recently, ice fishing suits.

First off, the StrikeMaster flotation suit won’t break the bank; it’s priced realistically. Testing it on a couple of outings earlier this ice season, I was amazed by the range of motion you get, rare for a flotation suit, which tend to be heavy and bulky. I didn’t get fatigued wearing the StrikeMaster Surface jacket and bib at all. 

The suit is also loaded with common-sense features. Side zippers on the bib pull all the way to the hip making slipping the bib on or off easy, even keeping your boots and cleats on. I also appreciate the padded knees, which make kneeling on jagged ice to set tip-ups, move a transducer, or land a fish way more comfortable.  

My frequent ice fishing buddy Bruce also tested this suit and fell in love with it immediately. 

“I can’t believe that a flotation suit can be this light,” remarked Bruce. “It’s easy to move around in and you don’t get tired from wearing heavy, bulky gear. Plus, it’s super warm. And when I get back to the hard-house from drilling holes and setting tip-ups, I just take off the coat and unzip the bibs to stay comfortable. I keep it on all day long, inside and out.” 

Best Value: Ice Runner Float Jacket and Bib

Ice Runner

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 Key Features 

• Waterproof & breathable 228T Tussor nylon fabric outer shell
• 100 grams of poly fiberfill thermal insulation
• Lightweight foam flotation fill
• 5 zippered pockets: jacket zippered lower hand warmer, upper outer & inner accessory pockets
• D-ring for lanyards 
• Full front jacket zipper w/ neck guard
• Adjustable & removable drawstring hood
• Six bib pockets, including two zippered gear pockets
• Thigh-height side zippers on bib legs

Pros

• Extremely affordable flotation suit
• Lightweight yet warm
• Not bulky
• Very functional pocket placement
• D-rings for fishing accessories/tools

Cons

• None

My ice fishing buddy, Mike, tested this suit in 3XL and was pleased with its fit and warmth. We ventured out on a Northern Minnesota lake in -10 degree air temp and -30 degree windchill. I was wearing the SIMMS Challenger and he was wearing the Ice Runner. Neither of us were cold. 

“Hard to believe they can sell this whole flotation suit for 200 bucks,” said Mike. “And it’s super warm, doesn’t weigh much, isn’t bulky, and has tons of pockets. Perfect for me and my budget, that’s for sure. More anglers should know about this Ice Runner suit. And it’s got flotation, which for me at 300 pounds and 6’3” is a pretty real consideration during early- and late-ice—or on big, unpredictable lakes.”

Best Flotation Ice Fishing Suit for Plus-Sized Anglers: Eskimo Scout Jacket and Bib

Eskimo

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 Key Features 

• Bomber Style Jacket
• DuraDry polyester fabric: lightweight, tough, and durable polyester fabric
• Windproof w/ DWR & 5k/5k waterproof/breathability ratings
• Uplyft Breathable Flotation: Offers safety-enhancing proprietary Eskimo Uplyft flotation-assist; sweat and moisture are allowed to escape the fabric and move away from the skin
• Fully-taped seams for complete waterproof protection, shielding from wind, rain, snow, and ice
• Features (3) zippered pockets, and Molle with a D-ring on the upper right chest
• 60 grams of insulation
• Wear points at the elbows are reinforced with 600 denier material
• YKK zippers throughout the jacket w/ YKK AquaGuard center front zipper
• A simple, 3-inch fold-up hem w/ hook-and-loop tape to adjust the pant length to your preference

Pros

• Affordable
• Lightweight but warm
• Perfect fit for anglers with big bellies, unlike full-length bibs
• Waterproof shell for double-duty on open-water
• Very mobile

Cons

• Without extension of pants over the back like bibs, shirt can get untucked & back can get cold
• Pants aren’t overly warm
• Only one hip pocket per side on the bib; Eskimo Keeper bib has two

“I really like the Scout jacket,” says Macheledt. “But the pants aren’t overly warm. The other day I was fishing, and it was 25 degrees with a 15 mph wind, and I don’t think I would have wanted it any colder, unless I wore a bigger size and put on long underwear under my jeans.”

“My favorite ice fishing suit of all-time is the Eskimo Keeper jacket and bib, and now I’ve had the chance to test the Roughneck and Scout. What I can tell you is they all fit differently. The Keeper bibs are the same size as the Roughneck and Scout bibs, but they run bigger, which I like. I love the Eskimo Keeper for fishing day in, day out here in North Dakota. I’m used to two hip pockets on each side of the Keeper bib, which the Roughneck and Scout don’t have.”

“Besides warmer days on the ice, I think the Scout would be the perfect spring and fall bib open-water coat and bib for fishing out here on Lake Sakakawea,” adds Macheledt. 

One thing, Macheledt notes is that Eskimo Fishing’s customer service is outstanding. He ripped the crotch out of his Keeper bibs while pulling off his boots and cleats and they sent him a new pair, which arrived in a few days. Perfect for Macheledt, who fishes every day…

Best Flotation Ice Fishing Suit for Women: Ice Armour by CLAM Womens RISE Parka & Bib

Clam

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 Key Features 

• MotionFloat Technology w/ internal buoyancy assistance
• Long nap, free-hanging fleece inner lining
• 100 grams of fixed insulation
• Removable hood
• 3M reflective material on parka
• Waterproof cell phone pouch
• 100% waterproof
• Windproof cuff design
• Weatherproof YKK® Vision AquaGuard zippers
• Thumbholes in inner cuffs
• Available in two colors: Charcoal/Black/Teal & Black/Charcoal/Fuchsia
• Women’s sizing: small-3XL
• Adjustable inseam
• Waist cinch straps

Pros

• Affordable
• Form-fitting design
• Warm & waterproof
• Cell phone pouch & pocket
• MotionFloat Technology w/buoyancy assist

Cons

• None

“I like how the suit is contoured to my curves and doesn’t look boxy like the workwear I typically wear on the ice,” says ice angler, Krysta Gregory. “Plus, it’s super warm and not bulky at all. I’ve got a good range of movement. And it doesn’t require a lot of extra layering unless it’s below zero outside.”

“I also like that it offers flotation for peace of mind if my husband and I are fishing sketchy ice,” adds Gregory. 

Gregory concludes: “The other thing that’s kind of nice is there’s a place for my cellphone in both the jacket and the bibs, so I don’t need to worry about dropping it down the hole!” 

Best Flotation Ice Fishing Suit For Kids: DSG Outerwear Arctic Appeal 2.0 Ice Jacket and Bib

DSG

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 Key Features 

• Durable Polyester shell w/ 2,000MVT/ 2,000g/m2 2/24hrs waterproof breathable coating with DWR treatment on the face of the fabric 
• 100% seal-taped seams
• FLOTEX® layered foam for insulating warmth & flotation assist combined w/ an additional 180 grams of insulation in the body
• 120 grams of insulation in the balance of the jacket & hood
• Inside waist of jacket and sleeve cuff have fast drain mesh allowing water to flow out
• Soft microfleece collar & chin guard
• #5 YKK® Front Zipper with snap wind flap closure for long-lasting durability
• Underarm vent zippers for temperature regulation
• Removable hood w/ adjustable pull chord for a perfect fit
• Internal powder skirt to keep snow & wind out
• Interior Lycra wrist gaiters with thumb hole/adjustable hook & loop cuffs
• Reflective piping for night-time visibility
• 2 large D-rings on upper chest for lanyards/fishing accessories
• FLOTEX® Flotation Assist System for up to 2 hours in the water
• Youth sizing: XS-5XL
• Heavy-duty 840 Denier knee panels w/ 2,000MVT/ 2,000g/m2 2/24hrs waterproof breathable coating w/ DWR treatment on the face of the fabric
• Hem w/ fast drain mesh allowing water to flow out
• Removable internal knee pads
• Drop-seat construction using YKK® AquaGuard® zippers
• #5 YKK® Front bib Zipper with snap wind flap closure
• Micro-fiber terry hand towel – removable for easy washing
• Reflective piping on legs (front and back) for nighttime visibility
• Interior boot gaiter to keep out snow & slush
• Adjustable inseam from 32.5” to 28.5”

Pros

• Extremely high build quality
• Very attractive
• Form-fitting for youth
• Excellent flotation assist technology
• Fleece collar & chin guard to keep faces warm
• Internal pocket for electronics
• Lots of pockets and D-rings
• Drop-seat construction for bathroom visits

Cons

• Price

When it comes to taking kids ice fishing, comfort is key to a full day on hard water. So, I bought his suit for my daughter last fall, wanting her toasty warm and having fun. Although a bit on the expensive side, it’s been a great investment. 

She not only wears the DSG suit for ice fishing, she wears the jacket to school and playing outside in the snow. She loves how it looks, fits, and how lightweight it is. Plus, with quality flotation assist, I can rest assured that she would be fine in the event she fell through the ice. 

From my 10-year-old, “I love this suit, dad. It’s awesome!”

Warmest Non-Flotation Ice Fishing Suit: SIMMS Challenger Jacket and Bib

Simms

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 Key Features 

• Waterproof
• Fully-taped seams
• 3-point adjustable fully-insulated storm hood, w/ ice pick secure loops on back neck & reflective logos for safety
• Center-front zipper w/ waterproof storm flap
• Zippered chest pocket w/ removable sunglass chamois & interior zippered pocket for essentials
• Zippered handwarmer pockets w/ adjustable waist cinch located inside
• Articulated sleeves w/ abrasion-resistant elbow panels & adjustable cuff
• Cinchable waistline & kill switch D-loop 
• Shell: 100% nylon 2-layer Toray® w/ DWR
• Lining: 74gsm 50D 100% polyester w/ DWR
• Insulation: Primaloft® Rise 100g in legs and 80g in upper body
• Knee & cuffs overlays
• High abrasion-resistant 275gsm 100% nylon 6.6 2-ply oxford weave  
• Adjustable suspenders w/ high back for comfortable fit
• Handwarmer pockets & thigh-pocket w/ plier sheath
• Reinforced high-abrasion oxford nylon seat
• Zippered knee-pad pockets w/ foam inserts
• 2-way thigh-high side zipper opening for easy on/off while wearing boots & cleats

Pros

• Lightweight
• Warm in sub-zero temps
• Waterproof 
• Jacket width allows easy layering, if needed
• Padded knees for kneeling on jagged ice
• Supplied knee pads can be replaced with thicker foam pads

Cons

• Jacket must be cinched at the waistline to avoid cold

I’ve worn the same pair of SIMMS waders for over 15 years without any leaks, so I thought I’d buy the SIMMS Challenger cold-weather suit for this ice season, after giving away my old Frabill suits to fishing buddies. Good decision. 

Featuring 120 grams of PrimaLoft® Rise insulation, the SIMMS Challenger jacket and bib is lightweight but warm. The jacket is roomy enough to allow layering for extremely cold temperatures, but I haven’t needed to do that all season, wearing the suit sans base layers in temperatures down to -10 with -30 degree windchill. 

The Challenger is lightweight and offers great range of motion when fishing outside, setting tip-ups, hole-hopping, etc. Even when cruising across the lake on a snow machine, it’s been warm. The only drawback is it doesn’t offer flotation, but even without, makes a great mid-winter, safe-ice jacket and bib. 

One thing I really like about the Challenger bib is the reinforced knees with internal zippered pockets that include foam knee pads. While the knee pads that come in the bib are perfectly fine, I added additional foam construction pads to double up on the padding since I kneel a lot on outside to fish. 

Another thing I’ll mention is SIMMS customer service. I didn’t unzip the bib legs all the way up to my knees and tried to pull my tall, insulated Norfin rubber boots through the openings and ended up ripping a hole in the crotch. I called SIMMS and they sent me brand-new bibs free-of-charge without any return necessary. After some sloppy stitching, I now have two pairs of Challenger bibs, one for fishing and another that lives in the back of my truck with the rest of my winter emergency gear. 

Best Basic Non-Flotation Ice Fishing Suit: Blocker Outdoors Outdoor Pursuit Reliant Parka and Bib

Blocker Outdoors

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 Key Features 

• Waterproof/breathable/windproof performance
• Woven poly/spandex flex stretch shell w/ DWR for maximum mobility
• Micro-fleece lining for added warmth
• 200g PrimaLoft® Silver insulation for warmth without bulk
• 13 total pockets for ultimate storage & warmth
• Articulated hood design with built-in adjusters

Pros

• Extremely affordable
• Significant warmth via 200g Primaloft Silver insulation
• Lightweight
• Not bulky
• Excellent build quality
• Lots of pockets – 13
• Classic good looks – available in black or gray 

Cons

• None

Designed for ice fishing and any outside winter activity (shoveling, snowmobiling, chopping wood, late-season hunting, trapping, etc.), the Blocker Outdoors Outdoor Pursuit Reliant waterproof and windproof jacket and bib combo is a great option for that all-around winter suit along the lines of an improved workwear-style suit like Carhartt. Plus, the Blocker Outdoors Pursuit Parka and Bib is affordable, which allows outfitting the family—like I did. 

The jacket and bib are built tough. The bib is abrasion-resistant and designed for many years of use. Both feature a breathable water and windproof membrane and 200g thermal-mapped PrimaLoft® Silver insulation and microfleece lining for warmth without the bulk of some suits. SIMMS uses PrimaLoft®, too, but the Blocker Outdoors is lower in price. 

My two oldest daughters both wear the Blocker Outdoor Pursuit Reliant jacket and bib—one in black, the other in gray to prevent mixing up their garments. 

“I love the way they look and how warm they are,” says my eldest daughter. “Plus, the suit’s not just for ice fishing. I wear it everywhere when it’s really cold in the winter. The suit has been great for walks outside, helping dad shovel, and even skiing. And it’s definitely a lot more fun ice fishing in a warm suit.” 

Best Lightweight/Least Bulky Non-Flotation Ice Fishing Suit: Blackfish StormSkin Gale Pullover Jacket & StormSkin Gale Bib

Blackfish

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 Key Features 

• Stormskin™ technology: 100% windproof. 100% warmth. 100% waterproof
• Perfect for all seasons 
• Premium windproof, waterproof soft-shell fabric & free-hanging, long-nap fleece inner lining traps heat inside 
• Thermal Snare Technology™ combines a layer of premium fleece & windproof/weather-resistant outer layer that keeps heat inside the garment
• Soft-shell garment that keeps your core temperature warm while providing exceptional comfort in cold and windy conditions

Pros

• Affordable
• Extremely lightweight
• Design prevents overheating, like some suits
• Excellent mobility & range of motion
• Windproof & waterproof
• Great suit for fishing inside portable & hardhouses

Cons

• Not ideal for sub-zero conditions

The first time you slip on the Blackfish Gale Pullover and Bib, you immediately realize the suit weighs practically nothing. I tested this suit out on numerous ice fishing occasions and it’s also become my go-to winter suit for general work around the yard. 

I’m a big guy—6’1” and 240 pounds —so a 2XL was the perfect fit. What I really like about the Blackfish Gale pullover and bib is it provides just the right amount of heat when you’re active outside in temperatures hovering around zero degrees and above, which we’ve had a lot of this winter in Minnesota. I tend to get overheated in some ice fishing suits, running from inside a portable or hardhouse and outside to set and check tip-ups, drill new holes, etc. 

So, if you’re going to be active on the ice, the Blackfish Gale ensemble is a solid contender to prevent getting too hot, often the case in ice fishing suits. It’s also a good suit to wear in portables and hardhouses if you like to keep the temperature on the cooler side to conserve propane. 

I can also see double-duty use for open-water fishing in the boat or from shore during early spring and late-fall temperatures during walleye river bites. I’m not sure how the Blackfish Gale will handle rain, but the specs list waterproofing so I’m hopeful. 

How to Choose a Jacket and Bibs for Ice Fishing

Again, you need to think about when, how, and where you ice fish. Will you be venturing out on early- or late-ice? If so, a flotation suit is definitely in order. If not, you can probably choose a non-flotation ice fishing jacket and bib. 

Exterior Material Design

Then comes a close look at construction, starting with the exterior material of the suit. Whenever possible, choose a suit with a high DWR (Durable Water Repellency) rating. Seams should also be sealed. Drawstrings around the waist or jacket bottom are nice, too, to keep the wind and cold out. If possible, it’s best to choose a suit that will function as cold-weather rain gear as well, not just an ice fishing suit. 

Interior Insulation

Obviously, you’re reading this right now because you want to stay warm on the ice. That said, look for high-quality insulation, which doesn’t have to be thick to get the job done. With today’s high-tech materials like PrimaLoft® Rise, Gold, Silver, and Black; PrimaLoft® Aerogel (developed by NASA); as well as older time-proven materials like Hollofil, there are a lot of insulating materials used in ice fishing suits to provide warmth.  

Flotation

As far as I know, none of the ice jackets or bibs on the market are USCG-certified as a personal flotation device. However, they could save your life by keeping you afloat and somewhat warm in cold, icy waters if you fall through—and long enough until someone can toss out a safety rope and PFD or get the authorities to the scene. 

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Ice Fishing Suits

Fact is, just about every ice fishing apparel manufacturer is making a jacket and bib that is the right choice for anglers depending on when, how, and where they fish. Some cost more than others. Some are very affordable. For me, I really like the SIMMS Challenger and Blocker Outdoors suits for non-flotation options; and for flotation – limited to what I personally tested—I would opt for the Striker Climate suit given its versatility on the ice, in the field/marsh, or as a rain suit for spring and fall fishing. After years of wearing “snowmobile suits” as a kid, Carhartt workwear, and then now-defunct Frabill suits, it’s been fun to try out what’s currently on the market

The post Best Ice Fishing Suits of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Valentine’s Day 2023 will always hold a special place in Wisconsin fisherman James Gishkowsky’s memory. He was on Lake Winnebago during a special open spear-fishing season. The morning was off to a slow start. But at one point that afternoon, as he peered through a large hole in the lake ice, a giant sturgeon showed itself in the water.

When the fish was close enough, Gishkowsky launched a long-handled spear with a broad head shaped like a pitchfork. The spear points slammed into the massive fish. The multi-pronged head then detached from the wooden spear handle as the sturgeon made its first run. Gishkowsky clung to the rope as the fish surged away with the spearhead buried in its back.

“It was a big adrenaline rush,” he told the Fond du Lac Reporter. “It’s once in a lifetime.”

But that rush soon wore off. Gishkowsky realized he wouldn’t be able to muscle the gigantic sturgeon through the ice on his own. He yelled out, and friends soon came to help him battle the fish. Eventually they hauled it through the spearing hole and out onto the ice. Then they loaded the sturgeon onto a sled and towed it back across the lake with an ATV.     

They took the sturgeon straight to “Wendt’s On The Lake.” This lakeshore restaurant near the town of Van Dyne serves as one of the official weigh stations during the brief Winnebago sturgeon spearing season. The 79.9-inch fish tipped the scales at 177.3 pounds, and photos show that the sturgeon was longer than Gishkowsky is tall.

Wisconsin DNR officials who were monitoring the weigh station said Gishkowsky’s sturgeon was an F4 fish. That means it was a mature female full of eggs. They explained that the fish likely would have spawned this year, releasing around 20 to 30 pounds of roe.

The DNR also announced that Gishkowsky’s fish is the seventh-heaviest sturgeon speared in the Lake Winnebago system in the last 82 years. The largest in that time span is a 212-pounder that was taken in 2010. With the 177.3-pound fish to his credit, Gishkowsky is now a member of the “Heavy Hitters Club,” a select group of fishermen who have speared sturgeon over 170 pounds on the Winnebago lakes system.

Wisconsin’s Special Sturgeon Spearing Season

Sturgeon spearing on Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago has a long and rich tradition, according to the DNR’s website. The water body has one of North America’s largest lake sturgeon populations. It is also one of only two places on the continent where anglers can harvest the massive, prehistoric fish with spears. (The other location is Michigan’s Black Lake.) The state’s brief spearing season typically lasts around 16 days, or until anglers reach any of the harvest caps.

Read Next: Michigan’s Shortest Fishing Season Lasted Exactly 36 Minutes This Year

“The first modern sturgeon fishery took place in 1932,” according to the Wisconsin DNR. “Although regulations have changed through time, the premise of using a spear to harvest a sturgeon through the ice has remained constant.”

Anglers also catch sturgeon pretty regularly on Lake Winnebago using hook and line. And if Gishkowsky would have caught his fish with a rod and reel, he would have an IGFA all tackle world record for the species. The current IGFA world-record lake sturgeon is a 168-pounder. Angler Edward Paszkow hauled it from Georgian Bay, Ontario, in 1982.

The post Wisconsin Ice Fisherman Spears One of the 10 Biggest Sturgeon Ever Taken From Lake Winnebago appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Thomas Morrison, of Winterport, Maine, was fishing a lake with his son on Jan. 28 when they pulled an Atlantic salmon through the ice, according to Bangor Daily News. Thinking they’d landed a large brown trout or a landlocked salmon, Morrison shared photos of the 28-inch, five-pound fish on a Facebook group. Several members of the group then informed him that it was actually a sea-run salmon that had made its way up from the Atlantic Ocean. Fortunately, he’d already released the fish unharmed. The species is protected in Maine, which is home to the only remaining native populations of Atlantic salmon in the United States.

The biggest giveaway was the salmon’s clipped adipose fin. Fishery technicians with the Maine Department of Marine Resources cut pieces out of these fins as the sea-run fish are counted on their way upriver. This helps anglers distinguish them from other salmonids. The agency confirmed the species that Morrison had caught through the ice, and said that this sort of thing only happens about once every two years.

“Based on the photo and the size indicated, it appears to be a sea-run Atlantic salmon that has spent multiple winters at sea versus a grilse, which would have spent only one winter at sea and would be smaller,” an MDMR spokesperson told the newspaper.

Morrison did not identify the body of water he was fishing on, but the spokesperson explained that even though Atlantic salmon are typically associated with rivers, they will sometimes overwinter in lakes.

Atlantics were historically abundant along the Eastern seaboard, but these anadromous runs crashed during the early 20^th century because of dams, pollution, and overfishing. Most rivers on the East Coast were closed to salmon fishing by around 1950, according to NOAA Fisheries, and the fish were given federal protections under the Endangered Species Act in 2000.

Read Next: New York State Is Rearing 26,000 Atlantic Salmon Smolts in Net Pens to Help Them Spawn as Adults

The Penobscot River was once the epicenter of Atlantic salmon fishing in the Pine Tree State, and it’s estimated that around 100,000 of these fish used to make their spawning migration up the river each year. While the modern-day run is a shadow of its former self, the fish have been able to return recently thanks to a historic dam removal project in 2012. The MDMR counted roughly 1,325 Atlantic salmon during the 2022 run up the Penobscot, which represents the second-highest return in the time since those dams were removed.

Because their recovery is slow and ongoing, Maine regulations strictly prohibit the retention of sea-run Atlantic salmon. As Morrison learned last month, this can cause confusion since the state’s inland lakes are also home to landlocked salmon and brown trout. The three species can look similar to one another, which is why the MDMR stresses that if an angler catches a fish and is unsure of the species, it’s best to do as Morrison did and release it at once.

The post Mainer Catches Atlantic Salmon Through the Ice appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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