Ice fishing Hut / Shelter

[Roman G]

Hey fellas,

Wondering how many of you use ice fishing huts or shelters. I found some cheap ones I might get. Who here uses one? I seen a few on the reservoirs.

Might go with a 2 person pop up or a chair type (under a 100 bucks)

[Montrose]

I don't have one personally Roman, but I hav fished with them when others brought them out.  They have pluses and minuses depending on the weather and your style of fishing.

First thing to consider is dragging it out, they can be heavy.  Also how windy it is that day?  Great for getting out of the wind, but sucks to set it up in a good wind.  Will you be fishing alone?  Set up can be tough w/o a buddy.  Are you setting traps and parking it or going to be running and gunning w/ the jig rod? If you tend to use tip ups and won't move much, you'll likely get more use out of it.

One tip if you get one.  Buy some screw in deer steps (for climbing trees).  The shelters usually come with flimsy spikes for tethering the shelter.  The screw in spoikes are sturdy and can be screwed directly into the ice.  That way it doesn't blow away if you go to check traps or to water the trees.

[nysptsman]

You get what you pay for as far as shelters go. I personnally like the clam flip up style because they are easy to move if you are going to run and gun. I can usually handle it by myself and it makes a world of difference if the wind is howling. I recommend a 2 man shelter because the extra room is great for a heater and storage. The style of hut you want also depends on what kind of vehicle you drive. If you have a pick-up or trailblazer type SUV any flip up style 2 man clam will fit into it. If you have a car then look at the smaller suitcase type style shelters. I would stay away from any shelter that doesnt have a plastic bottom because they are tough to stabilize in wind. Hope this helps. Steve

[jager61]

All great points from nysptsman.  Depends on the type of fishing you're doing, what vehicle you are transporting the shelter with, how you are moving it on the ice (you, ATV or Sled) and your budget.  I mostly jig for lakers and browns so I move every 10-15 minutes.  For this style of fishing a  1 man flip over shelter is perfect.  I use a Frabill Commando for this purpose.  Holds all my gear and my heater and is EZ to pull around even in deep snow.  When  I'm fishing for Pike or Salmon and using tip ups, I use one of two different pop up hub style shelters, again from Frabill because we are staying put in one place.  I'm usually with other guys too so I have two sizes depending on the group.  Forget the anchors supplied with these shelters and go on ebay and buy 4 ice anchors used by ice climbers.  They're a little more $$ but when they are placed, they will absolutely not pull out and they go in and out like butter!  The hub style shelters are also very light and easily transported.  Lastly, if I'm going with a friend and we are moving around, I have an Eskimo Pro-Fish 350  three man flip over but this shelter is a monster and is only used behind my ATV or Snowmobile.  Don't skimp on quality.  The inexpensive chair types look great but one outing in a stiff wind and you'll be replacing it pretty quickly.  Last year I watched BC Shanty's chair shelter implode on Lake Otsego in 40 mph wind.  If you're on a budget, a good compromise is a two man hub style (Frabill, Shappel, Eskimo, Clam, Cabelas, they're all good) and it will work in all scenarios whether running and gunning or tip ups.  Get a jet sled to haul it and your gear and your in business.  Just get the ice climber anchors and you can easily move and re-set the shelter.  Trust me on this one, I've tried just about everything in 25 years on the ice and nothing beats these anchors!

Good luck- Mike

[Trout Stalker]

The one that I bought is a great deal and a quality hut. The others are too overpriced for the amount that i use them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KillZone-Igloo-XL-Ice-Fishing-Shelter-Ice-Fishing-Shanty-Free-Shipping-5L-/140657109688?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20bfd12ab8

They make a nice hunting version also!

[jager61]

That's a nice shelter Frank, looks well made.  Would more than suffice as an all around compromise for different ice fishing scenarios.

[mike.com]

i got the pak shack last year. i got the one man one. but got to get some of those deer spikes cause like someone said when u get up and check ur traps  a wind can blow it away. lol under 99.00 dollars. good luck on the one you get.

[ChrisD]

Just ordered the Frabill Commando flip up shelter earlier today, plan on doing allot more run & gun type jigging this year so I felt this was a good choice. I was considering getting the Frabill Recon, which is less expansive but I chose the Commando because it is bigger fishable area (50" x 33") and overall larger size, which will be necessary because I use some longer jigging poles. I am glad to here that Mike would recommend the Commando, I was having some doubts after my purchase. Now all we need is some cold weather.

[jager61]

Hi Chris!  I think the Commando is a great choice.  One thing to consider which I failed to mention in my rather lengthy post (sorry) is hook set head room in a flip over.  Particularly important in the 1 man portables.  On a lot of one man shelters, the ceiling is too low to allow for an effective hookset which, for lakers, can be problematic.  For this reason I went with the Commando because of the extra head room.  I can also stand up in my Commando too which is nice when its frigid out there!  Only thing I would do different now would be to get the Thermal version but that was not available 3 years ago. 

Mike

[Roman G]

Thanks fellas. I think ill either buy a pop up it build my own. Is night ice fishig allowed on the reservoirs?

[nysptsman]

Nice choice on the commando. You will not be disappointed. I have also found that no matter what kind or size you buy, you will want a bigger one in a couple of years. Does anyone on this forum go to the Bay of Quinte to ice fish walleye?

[jager61]

Chris, one thing I forgot to mention about the Commando, although the seat is Real Nice, it adds significantly to the overall weight of the shelter. I removed mine and sit on the seat platform with one of those thick hunter cushions. You gain even more head room that way with no loss of comfort. I use the seat on one of my row boats! But, that's just my preference and in no way detracts from the quality and functionality of this great shelter.

Mike

[ChrisD]

Chris, one thing I forgot to mention about the Commando, although the seat is Real Nice, it adds significantly to the overall weight of the shelter. I removed mine and sit on the seat platform with one of those thick hunter cushions. You gain even more head room that way with no loss of comfort. I use the seat on one of my row boats! But, that's just my preference and in no way detracts from the quality and functionality of this great shelter.

Mike

That funny Mike, last night I stumbled on one of your old posts on Ice Shanty that talks about the same thing. I'm sure as I use it I will think of other ways of modifying it, one of my favorite parts of fishing is tinkering with my gear.  I appreciate the advise.

Thanks, Chris.

[Roman G]

Decided gonna build one for around 200 bucks once i get all the parts. With it being so warm this time of year, I got at least a month before its safe to get out.

[jager61]

Roman, if you haven't already check Iceshanty.com for ideas on DIY shelter designs. Lots of creative and friendly guys on that forum who would be glad to help.

Take some pics when you're! Good luck-Mike