Windbreaks

Windbreaks are the most basic form of shelter of the four types that are available and they are the least expensive. Typically designed for just one person, they usually feature a seat and have either two or three walls for wind protection.

Windbreaks are lightweight and very portable, making them a great choice for hiking into remote lakes. For example, the Polar Windbreak Ice Fishing Shelter from HT Enterprises weights just less than 12 pounds. Unfortunately, windbreaks don't provide overhead protection, leaving you exposed to snow and freezing rain. They also don't trap in heat like a closed shelter. For this reason they're not very practical for fishing in extremely cold temperatures.

Collapsible Shelters

These shelters set up quickly and provide full protection from the elements for up to two anglers. They're design resembles a camping tent, but they are customized for ice fishing. External poles serve as the shelter's frame. The floor is a flexible fabric, unlike the hard-plastic sled of flip-over or cabin-style models. Eliminating the plastic floor keeps these shelters lightweight and easy to store in a compact carrying case. Floors have pre-cut holes or an opening for easy fishing. High-end models feature windows.

Flip-over models are built on a sled base, and the foundation acts as a container to hold gear during travel.

The downside of these shelters is that you need to remove your gear and take them down when moving a considerable distance. Also, like tents, they're challenging to set up in heavy winds.

Flip-Over Shelters

Flip-over shelters are extremely popular. Scan a community ice fishing spot, and you'll see plenty of flip-over shelters. Popular models include Clam Corporation's Fish Trap Pro, Scout, Yukon and Guide shelters, or Frabill's 6110 Recon Portable Ice Fishing Shelter. Shelters come in one- to four-person models.

Flip-over models are built on a sled base. The foundation acts as a container to hold gear during travel. It also holds the fishing seats. The sled's sides hold the adjustable poles.

The poles operate like a convertible car, except they operate under manual angler power. When ready to fish, sit down on the sled chair, extend the poles, and flip them over. Suddenly, you're fishing in a canvas tent with a large patch of ice in front of you. Most models have at least three tent positions: completely open, up halfway for a windbreak, or fully closed. During travel the poles are lowered, with canvas collected, and rested on the top of the sled.

The short time in which these models can be set up or collapsed for travel is one of the main reasons they're so popular with ice anglers. They let you easily hop around a large ice area or go on an ATV trek down the lake. Tents provide protection from wind, rain and snow. They also block out light for sight fishing. Furthermore, shelters keep you insulated, and if using a propane heater, they can be a few degrees warmer than the outside temperature. If you plan to use a heater, buy a model with ventilation options or mesh windows.

Due to the plastic sled, flip-over shelters are heavier than windbreaks or collapsible shelters. The trade off is worth it for anglers looking for both wind-and-snow protection as well as a carrying container for gear when moving.

Cabin-Style Shelters

Cabin-style shelters are another portable ice hut option. These fish houses are built on thin, hard-bottom sleds that fold in half for transport. Cabins come in a range of sizes with larger models comfortably fitting five anglers.

Cabin-style shelters are designed to be roomier, much more like permanent ice fishing shanties.

To set-up these shelters, simply unfold the floor and then extend the poles to pop-up the sides and roof of the tent. Once up, these shelters take on a rectangular shape. On small models, you can make short moves leaving the unit set up. For larger models, though, you'll likely need to take them down and fold the sled. In this case, pile you're gear on top during transport. Although not an arduous task, this takes more time than moving with flip-over shelters.

Cabin-style shelters are designed to be roomier than smaller shelters, much more like permanent ice fishing shanties. Large cabins let you comfortably fish with several anglers while storing their gear inside. Most models are high enough to stand in; only a few flip-over shelters can tout this much overhead space. The full-sized floor also has benefits. It keeps your feet elevated and up off the ice, helping them stay warm. Floors come with openings for drilling holes.

Clam's 2000 Ice Fishing Shelter and Shappell's S3000 3-Person Ice Fishing Shelter are two examples of cabin-style shelters.

Things to Consider

Now that you've got a sense of four types of shelters, here a few things to keep in mind when choosing one.

Invest in a quality model. Inferior equipment won't hold up in cold conditions. Paying a few more dollars will also likely land you a more comfortable seat and other features to make you're fishing more comfortable.

Collapsible and cabin-style shelters come with zipper doors, but they're not standard on all flip-over models. Zipper doors let you exit your shelter without flipping it over. This is handy when you've buried the tent skirt in snow, a tactic used to block out wind and hold in heat. Zip them open slightly and you have another venting option.

Make sure the shelter you buy has windows on every side. You'll appreciate the light they let into the hut. They also let you monitor things outside, like your tip-ups. Make sure they have a roll-up covers, though, so you can block out light when you want to sight fish.

Tent walls with hanging, mesh compartments are handy for storing items. Some shelters come with small organizers. For example, Clam's Fish Trap Pro comes with a movable accessory console, letting you keep items organized but within reach, like tackle trays, artificial bait containers or drinks.

Before buying a shelter, ensure it fits in your car and carefully examine its dimensions. Truck and SUV owners aren't likely to have problems getting shelters into their vehicles, but compact car owners may face some challenges with large models. For example, although you may be able to lower the seats and accommodate the length of a two-person, flip-over style model, the depth of a large sled may restrict you from sliding it into a small trunk. If this is the case, you're better off buying a cabin-style shelter with a low-profile sled.

Great Accessories

With your shelter selected, consider these add-ons to increase your on-ice comfort and efficiency.

• Ice anchors keep your hut in place when fishing on windy days. They're particularly useful when fishing on bare ice or when using lightweight collapsible shelters or windbreaks.
• Travel covers are available for flip-over shelters. They keep snow out and your gear in when traveling.
• If using a snow machine or an ATV to tow your shelter, invest in a tow hitch. Towing is more efficient with them, but more importantly they're the law in some areas.
• Sled runners extend the lifespan of your shelter, protecting it from scraping. They're particularly handy if you tend to drag your shelter on asphalt when getting to and from the ice.
• A portable fish finder, like a Vexilar, will help you catch more fish on the ice.
• A portable propane heater, like Mr. Heater's Big Buddy, keeps your shelter toasty and hands warm. These CSA-certified heaters feature a low-oxygen shutoff pilot safety system.

When choosing a shelter, consider how you plan to use it. If you need to stay mobile, a flip-over model is likely best. If you're looking to take the family out and introduce them to ice fishing, a cabin-style might better suit your needs. If heading into backcountry lakes on foot or going on a fly-in trip, windbreaks or collapsible shelters might be best given their lightweight qualities. Regardless of which model you choose, you'll be more comfortable in a shelter than sitting unprotected and exposed to winter winds and cold temperatures.