Call it an ice shanty, an ice fishing tent, an ice shelter, or an ice fishing hut. Whatever your preference, these are the best for filling your freezer with fish this year.
When the lakes freeze over, you’ll find some of the most passionate anglers walking on water in search of fish. And these days, the level of comfort that anyone can bring to the ice is *chef’s kiss* impressive.
You want heat? You got it. Electricity? You betcha. A swath of cool devices to see what’s swimming underneath you? Yeah, you’ve got that too.
But your biggest protection from the elements is your shelter. Some folks get wildly elaborate and build actual huts. Others are simply looking for a bit of protection.
The following shelters offer something for everyone, from budget to extravagant, basic to extreme. Note that most ice fishing shelters are offered in a series, meaning that the shelters share the same features but are offered in different size options.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for:
The Best Ice Fishing Tents of 2022
Best Ice Fishing Tent: Eskimo Outbreak Series
Eskimo is a well-known brand in the world of ice fishing, and its Outbreak Series is the newest of its portable pop-up shelter offerings. Stormshield fabric levels up previously insulated shelters by adding 80g of high loft insulation to protect against even the nastiest weather.
A wider footprint at the bottom of the tent provides more room to fish and hang out, while also creating a stronger base for holding your shelter to the ice. It’s tall enough to accommodate standing folks up to 6’2″.
Storage pockets, reinforced grommets, heavy-duty structural components, and more upgrade this shelter to be the best on the market. And 600-denier nylon adds an even more heavy-duty structure to this beast.
Eskimo offers the Outbreak in six options that range from $400 to $670, so it ain’t cheap. But if you’re looking for a long-term, warm, durable, weather-beating shelter, the Outbreak is it.
- Pros: Highly durable, insulated, quick setup, wide footprint, easy in and out
- Cons: Expensive, difficult to get into carrying bag after use
Runner-Up for Best Ice Fishing Tent: ThunderBay Ice Cube Series
- Pros: Affordable, steady in wind, simple to set up
- Cons: Only one door, uninsulated, can build some condensation
Best Flip-Over Ice Fishing Tent: Clam Nanook XL Thermal Ice Shelter
- Pros: Self-contained, storage for gear, two doors, very warm
- Cons: Expensive, small, buy seat cushions separately
Best Ice Fishing Tent for Extreme Conditions: Otter Outdoors XT Pro X-Over Cabin Ice Shelter
- Pros: Heavy-duty, thoughtful details, comfort is key
- Cons: Expensive, small for multiple people
Best Budget Ice Fishing Tent: Outsunny Shelter Series
- Pros: Easy setup, affordable, steady, good starting option
- Cons: No bells and whistles, uninsulated
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Ice Fishing Tent
