| More and more hard ice anglers are opting for a | | | | taken down. |
| more comfortable solution to ice fishing. The days of | | | | 3) Weather proof - make sure to buy a quality |
| fighting a biting wind and frigid temperatures are | | | | product with durable material. Your shelter should be |
| over. You can eliminate layers of cloths and still stay | | | | able to withstand strong winds and water resistant |
| warm and dry. I've been ice fishing for 30 years and | | | | to keep you dry. |
| I can tell you first hand using an ice fishing shelter | | | | 4) Easy set-up - once you get to the lake you want |
| made an enormous difference for me. If you don't | | | | to go fishing you don't want to fumble around trying |
| already own a shelter I would like to offer some | | | | to set up your shelter. It already takes time to drill |
| guidelines for choosing a shelter based on my | | | | holes and get set up. Make it simple, make it fun. |
| experiences. | | | | Everyone has different preferences for what they |
| 1) Size - when deciding on the size think about what | | | | like. It's probably good there are so many different |
| you will need in the tent with you. You will need | | | | styles of ice fishing shelters. If you are new to ice |
| something to sit on, a place to put a bucket of | | | | fishing you may want to go with a friend that has a |
| minnows, lantern for heat and light, small tackle box, I | | | | shelter or go to a local ice fishing derby and walk |
| usually can take my coat off in my shelter so I need | | | | around to see all the different types of shelters. The |
| a place to set that. It will be your preference but I | | | | folks at the derbies are usually very friendly and |
| like a lot of room. If you want to be able to stand up | | | | probably wouldn't mind if you asked questions. It is |
| make sure you get a shelter tall enough to | | | | also interesting to see some of the home made |
| accommodate your height. | | | | shelters. I wish I had pictures of some of the ones |
| 2) Your shelter should be portable - many times it is | | | | we made. |
| necessary to move around the lake to find the fish. | | | | Just keep it simple. Pick a shelter that is big enough |
| Having an ice fishing shelter that allows you to easily | | | | to fit your needs, is portable to move around the ice, |
| move around will be to your advantage. Most | | | | weatherproof to keep you warm and dry and easy |
| portable shelters can easily be moved without being | | | | to set up. I'll see you on the ice. |