Comedian Jeff Foxworthy liked to joke that people who would go out onto a frozen lake to fish were nuts. Maybe we are, but it sure is a good way to pass the winter months! Ice fishing is a productive time of year to catch some tasty fish, have a good time, and above all else, get outside during a time of year when many would likely be huddled up inside the house. One way to make the day out on the ice more enjoyable is to use a portable ice fishing shelter. Shelters, or shanties, are essentially tents with no floor that allow you to be protected from the wind. They allow you to use a portable space heater, too, which ups the enjoyment factor. The additional benefit is that they help block ambient light, giving you better visibility under the ice. There are several different styles of shanties available, so  read on and get an idea of what are the best ice fishing shelters for you.

Cover image by Clam Outdoors

Best Ice Fishing Shelters

	Clam Outdoors X200 Pro Thermal XT Ice Shelter	Eskimo FF949I FatFish Insulated Ice Shelter	Nordic Legend Portable Ice Shelter
Size:	Capacity of 2 people, 34 sq. ft.	Capacity of 3-4 people	Capacity of 4 people (other sizes available) 55 sq feet for fishing
Weight:	133lbs.	34 lbs and comes with a carry bag	(32 lbs) with a carry bag included
Features:	Comes with two padded swivel seats	Comes with six self-tapping ice anchors	No
Insulated:	Yes. Full thermal skin with 90 grams of insulation per square meter	Fully insulated, providing 35% more warmth than comparable ice shelters	8 ice anchors for a secure setup
Construction:	Made from 1200 total denier fabric	Made from 300 Denier Ice Tight fabric	300D nylon
	Cabelas.com

Quick Answer:

1. Clam Outdoors X200 Pro Thermal XT Ice Shelter
2. Eskimo FF949I FatFish Insulated Ice Shelter
3. Nordic Legend Wide Bottom Ice Shelter
4. THUNDERBAY Ice Cube Portable Ice Shelter
5. Eskimo Sierra Ice Fishing Flip Shelter
6. Frabill Citadel Insulated Shelter

Ice Fishing Shelter Reviews

#1 Editor’s Pick – Clam Outdoors X200 Pro Thermal XT Ice Shelter

The Eskimo FF949I wide-bottom insulated pop-up portable shanty is a solid offering from Eskimo that is designed to provide with protection in freezing conditions. It features a durable construction with a fully insulated IceTight Fabric (300 Denier) and Insulated Quilted Fabric to provide you with the warmth and the comfort you need in extremely cold conditions. The larger diameter poles and the all metal ball and socket lines enhance its durability, thereby providing you with many years of use. The Eskimo FatFish is easy to set up; it weighs only 34 lbs making it one of the best portable ice fishing shelters available.

Video: Overview of the Eskimo FatFish.

It has plenty of elbow room of 99” x 99” and a setup size of 94” x 94”; it is 80” high and can easily accommodate 3-4 persons. This will give you more usable fishing area. For easy access into the FatFish, Eskimo included two doors with tough and freeze proof YKK zippers on the either sides of the shelter. The included large mesh pocket provides you with additional space to keep your important fishing gear while its six self-tapping ice anchors deliver on their promise of withstanding high winds and securing the shelter. If you want a high-quality ice shanty at an affordable price, the Eskimo FF949I wide-bottom insulated portable shanty might be your best bet!

#3 Biggest Size Options – Nordic Legend Portable Ice Shelter

If you’re looking for an excellent quality ice shelter at an affordable price, the wide bottom ice shelter from Nordic Legend is made with high-quality materials that not only makes it durable but also furnishes it with the ability to withstand the harshest weather conditions. The superior 300D thermal fabric of the Legend conserves heat while preventing the build up of frost. It is lightweight and comes with a carry bag for easy transportation. This wide bottom shelter has a roomy 55 square feet of interior space which makes it a great option for a 4-person fishing party. The Legend is very easy to set up and take down; one person can set it up in 60 seconds. It is also equipped with nine strong ice anchors to keep the shanty firm and secure in high winds.

#4 Best Value – THUNDERBAY Ice Cube 3 Man Portable Ice Shelter Tent

If all you want is nothing but a simple, high-quality ice shelter, the THUNDERBAY Ice Cube is made of a tough and tear-resistant 300 Denier fabric. Its heavy-duty poles can stand against the wind and protect you from the elements. The THUNDERBAY is 30-percent roomier than many models, with this increased capacity, you can bring in more fishing equipment and anglers (about 3-4 people) to fish comfortably inside the tent. This portable shelter weighs 26lbs. and also comes with an oversized carry backpack that makes it easy to transport, along with being easy to setup and take down. The six ice anchors work perfectly in securing the shelter against strong wind. The THUNDERBAY Ice Cube is highly durable and portable. It is probably the best ice shanty you will find within its price range.

#5 Best Durability – Eskimo Sierra Ice Fishing Flip Shelter

The Eskimo QuickFlip 2 is a high end ice fishing shelter from Eskimo. It’s fully insulated and features 300 Denier IQ Fabric which has a 59-percent higher thread count than its competitors. This superior quality material ensures the shelter’s durability while keeping you warmer so you can enjoy fishing in comfort. It is a two-person capacity shelter with a fixed table and comfortable seating arrangements.

The durable aluminum poles keep the shelter rigid and strong while keeping the weight down. It weighs 82 lbs, so it’s heavier than many shelters but that is due to the insulation and is easy to set up or take down. It has a one door, two storage pockets, and four removable windows that can be adjusted for ventilation. It is towable and comes with a pull rope for easy transport. The Eskimo Sierra ice shanty delivers on its promise of durability and comfortable ice fishing experience. For two anglers, this is an ideal solution.

#6 Customer’s Choice – Frabill HQ 200 Insulated Shelter

Frabill is a brand well-known to ice anglers and this is a popular, economical and lightweight ice fishing shelter option that people really like. It is a hub-style, pop-up shelter that can be set up in just minutes. It is tall enough to stand up in and is made from durable nylon. Inside, it fits 2-3 anglers and is dark to allow for added vision.

Best Ice Fishing Shelters Comparison Table

Ice Fishing Shelters		Size	Weight	Features	Insulated	Construction
Clam Outdoors X200 Pro Thermal XT Ice Shelter		Capacity of 2 people, 34 sq. ft.	133lbs.	Comes with two padded swivel seats	Yes. Full thermal skin with 90 grams of insulation per square meter	Made from 1200 total denier fabric
Eskimo FF949I FatFish Insulated Ice Shelter		Capacity of 3-4 people	34 lbs and comes with a carry bag	Comes with six self-tapping ice anchors	Fully insulated, providing 35% more warmth than comparable ice shelters	Made from 300 Denier Ice Tight fabric
Nordic Legend Portable Ice Shelter		Capacity of 4 people (other sizes available) 55 sq feet for fishing	(32 lbs) with a carry bag included	No	8 ice anchors for a secure setup	300D nylon
THUNDERBAY Ice Cube 3 Man Portable Ice Shelter Tent		capacity of 3-4 anglers. 90” x 90” with 80” center height and 56 square feet fishable area	26lbs. with carry bag included for easy transport	No	30% more interior space with overhead storage hammock	Highly durable 300 Denier fabric
Eskimo Sierra Ice Fishing Flip Shelter		2 Anglers. 22.5 square feet of fishable area 60″ x 31.5″	82lbs.	Yes	Flip over design, Aluminum poles	300 denier ice tight fabric
Frabill HQ 200 Insulated Shelter		2-3 person capacity 52.25″ L x 8.5″ W x 8.5″ H	23 lbs	Yes	Pop-up, hub-style	Fiberglass-reinforced poled, nylon body

How to Choose the Best Ice Fishing Shelter for You

After being bitten by the ice fishing bug, one of your most important purchases is an ice fishing shelter. Lets cover some important considerations for a shelter.

• Types
• Sizes and Capacity
• Materials
• Weight and Portability
• Seating
• Budget

Types

There are three types of ice shelters for you to consider:

• Flip-style shelters
• Hub-style shelters
• Cabin or hut style ice shelters

The flip style shanties are the most popular among ice fishermen. They are erected on a strong plastic sled base and normally have a capacity of two-to-three people. The windbreaker type are inexpensive, light in weight, and easy to transport, but the insulated ones tend to cost quite a bit more.

Hub-style shanties are customized to meet the needs of the ice fishermen. They have external poles as their frames and look just like a  portable hunting blind. In fact, many are made by the same companies as hunting blinds, and they share a lot of the same designs.

The cabin-style shanties are built on plastic sled base and have adjustable poles just like the flip style shelters. They can contain up to 8 anglers and are not meant to be taken down after every use.

Sizes and Capacity

Does size matters when it comes to selecting the best ice fishing shelter? Of course it does! Before you decide on your ideal shelter size, consider how many people will be accompanying you plus how much gear you have. A shelter of 4 to 5 person capacity might be your best choice if you are not sure, and will provide enough space for your equipment.

Materials

The materials used in manufacturing a shanty are a trade off of weight, durability, insulation and of course cost. A shanty made of high-quality, thicker material will not only ensure the shanty’s durability but also provide more protection from harsh weather. Most shanties are made of a polyester or nylon fabric whose durability and thickness are measured in Denier. For instance, a shelter of 600 denier fabric is thicker, more durable and seals out the cold wind better than a shelter made out of a 300 denier fabric. However, it will be heavier and more expensive.

Thermal insulation is also an important element of most modern shelters that will retain heat better from heaters and transfers warmth from sunlight into the shelter while sealing out the cold. While thermal materials may be your best friend during the harsh weather they may not be necessary, especially in warmer weather conditions and will add more weight to the shelter.

Weight and Portability

When it comes to shopping for a ice fishing shelter, weight is an important factor to consider most especially if you are packing it in. The heavier your shack, the more it will be difficult for you pack it and carry it out. You are also more you’re likely to need a towing vehicle to move it around on the ice.

Seating

Seating is of course an important factor to consider since you’ll be spending most of your time sitting while ice fishing. Flip-style shacks usually have one or two padded in-built seats. For other styles, you will need to have separate seats.

Budget

You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to get a high quality shanty. With modern manufacturing, the price of shelters have come down considerably while providing more protection for the elements. Even with a budget of under $300 you can still get a shelter for 4 fishermen while providing warmth and comfort. Spending a little more will get you insulation and built in seats. Either way, you don’t need to spend a lot of money you get a quality shelter.

How We Researched

I remember going ice fishing the first time when I was very young. Being from an outdoor family in Northern Michigan meant that I was going to spend a lot of time with a fishing pole in my hands, and that didn’t stop just because the lakes were frozen over. I have used a lot of shanties, ice houses and more, and have fished on the ice all over North America. My research started out with personal experience having used many different shelters, and checking them out whenever I had the chance.

From there, I spoke with a bunch of different experts in the field, including the guys who make a living fishing and guiding on the ice and open water. We looked at areas like quality of construction, space, ease of setting up and more.