Ice Fishing Gear Essentials
Carry your passion for fishing into the winter months with ice fishing gear like ice fishing rods, reels, combos and more specifically designed for the extreme weather conditions of ice fishing. Before you step out onto the ice, be sure and start with your basic ice gear list.
- Ice Fishing Reels, Rods & Combos - Constructed with stainless steel and graphite components for durability while staying lightweight in design.
- Tip-Ups - Lightweight yet durable design allows for an easy set up and even easier visibility with a bright flag that goes up when you have a bite.
- Ice Fishing Augers / Drills - Whether you prefer a hand auger or a power auger, these are essential when drilling a hole in the ice to fish.
- Ice Fishing Shelters - Insulated and durable shelters shield you from the harsh weather conditions when you are out fishing on ice.
- Ice Fishing Accessories - The little extras that make a big difference like ice chisels for chipping away excess ice, protective gear for drilling and setting up your ice fishing spot, space heaters and more.
Buying Considerations
It is important to keep in mind a few buying considerations when purchasing your ice fishing gear. While everyone is going to have their own ice gear preferences, start with considering some basics:
- How long will you be out on the ice?
- For all day ice fishing, an ice shelter with optimal insulation and built-in seating is recommended. Pop-Up ice shelters may suffice for shorter time frames on the ice.
- Space heaters are highly recommended for long periods of time on the ice.
- Depending on the thickness of the ice and the desired ease of set-up, consider a power auger over a hand auger for quick an easy set up. Hand augers will suffice for drilling a small hole and are more manual than that of a power auger.
- How many people are you fishing with?
- If multiple, the best ice shelter is going to be slightly larger in size with built-in amenities like seating.
- Ice fishing accessories like an ice sled are the perfect ice fishing accessory for carrying the extra gear like ice chisels, extra ice fishing clothing like insulated jackets, and more.
Expert Advice
Whether you are an experienced angler or headed out on your first ice fishing adventure, here are a few pointers for a successful fishing excursion:
- Look for Ice Augers with a high-torque transmission for easier drilling
- Ice shelters with built-in storage and seating allows for easy organization of your ice fishing accessories like gloves, extra ice fishing line, lures and more.
- Ice sleds are another piece of ice fishing gear for easy transportation of ice fishing accessories and work well as a rescue aid if needing to get someone to the shore or shelter quickly
Read the complete fishing guide for more general fishing gear guide tips and considerations »
