Top 10 Best Ice Fishing Shelters of 2020 (Review & Guide)
Ice fishing is a popular sport and pass-time that offers people who like extreme outdoor adventures a new challenge. The sport involves setting camp on a frozen lake and catching fish through a hole in the ice. Even though fun, make sure that you have a pair of comfortable snow boots before heading to your favorite fishing sports. Moreover, to prevent hypothermia setting in and ruining your fishing experience, you need one of the ten ice fishing tents that we have reviewed herein. They are spacious, warm, and able to protect people from the elements.
Check our Recommended Ice Fishing Shelters – 2020 Reviews
10. Alitop Waterproof Pop-up Ice Shelter
While ice fishing in sub-zero temperatures, hypothermia and death can occur in 30 seconds. Whether you an experienced or a novice angler, therefore, take precaution by using a quality shelter such as Alitop. Its pop-up design is not only easy to install, but also has space for up to eight adults. It is also stylish (orange-theme) and has a robust frame (steel) that is resistant to strong winds of the rain. If you enjoy traveling with friends, this is the best brands to use. You will not jostle for space or worry about wind and rain ruining your experience.
Trips to ice fishing areas are grueling because of the harsh weather and rough terrain people have to overcome. The journey is even harder for people who carry massive tents to and from their ice fishing spots. However, because of its lightweight design, this Alitop fishing shelter will serve you better. It also has a foldable cover with a carrying bag.
What We Like
- Lightweight frame
- Water-resistant shell
- Spacious interior (8-people)
- Easy to set up (pop-up)
Our Verdict
Alitop is best for people who travel in large groups. Its spacious design fits up to eight people comfortably. It also has a windproof frame (fiberglass) and a water-resistant cover that folds into a carrying bag.
9. Shappell WH5500 Wide House 5500 Ice Shelter
Shappell WH5500 is an eye-catching (black and blue) ice shelter with a portable pop-up design that takes minutes to set up. It also has a robust design with lightweight fiberglass poles and a polyester cover. Because of its blackened interior, this shelter retains heat better than most modern brands. It also has hooded vents that keep its interior aerated, removable windows, and a floor (7.5×7.5×44.5-inches) that will protect your feet from frostbite. If you fish on ice for days or weeks at a time, this shelter will keep you safe. Moreover, because it weighs just 17 pounds, traveling with this tent is a piece of cake too.
What We Like
- Lightweight (17 pounds)
- Warm blacked-out interior
- Hooded vents and windows
- Large and a protective floor
- Light fiberglass poles
- Simple pop-up design
Our Verdict
Shappell WH5500 is a 17-pound shelter with an easy-to-use pop-up design. The weatherproof shelter has a durable and comfortable design, which keeps anglers safe in sub-zero temperatures.
8. Popsport 2/3/4/8-Person Ice Fishing Shelter
If you enjoy extreme sports such as ice fishing, you will be better off with a protective shelter such as Popsport by your side. Why is it a popular item for professionals and novices? First, the 300D oxford polyester used to make its cover resists up to -22F temperatures. It does not crack nor leaks over time and has a warm structure, which fits 2-3 people comfortably. The covered windows on its side (four) let in light and fresh air, while its light shell has a built-in carrying bag for safe storage and transport. A new one will make your trips special.
What We Like
- Durable polyester cover
- Lightweight frame (fiberglass)
- Resists up to -22F temperature
- Fits 2-3 people comfortably
Our Verdict
The Popsport shelter makes ice fishing with a friend or lover fun. It is warm, durable, and has a light shell that you can travel with easily.
7. GYMAX Ice Shelter
If you plan to spend a few hours on the ice, do not gamble with one of the untested shelters available on the net. The GYMAX is a “battle-tested” product that is frost resistant to -30F. It is water-resistant, waterproof, and made from a tough 300D polyester (Oxford) that does not rip when exposed to high winds. Whenever you are fishing with a buddy, you will not only stay comfortably in this shelter but also feel safe when the weather is “angry.” Like the Popsport tent reviewed herein, GYMAX is a pop-up shelter that takes minutes to set up.
What We Like
- Easy to install (pop-up)
- Frost resistant to -30F
- Highly visible (red)
- Detachable PVC windows
Our Verdict
GYMAX works at temperatures of up to -30F without sacrificing the safety of people. Its pop-up design is easy to install and made from water-resistant components that you can pack and travel with easily.
6. Eskimo Outbreak 450I Pop-Up Ice Shelter
While selecting an ice shelter, opt for a light and comfortable model that you can set use without using special tools. Eskimo Outbreak 450I is a great pop-up shelter with 75 square feet of floor space. Thus, if you enjoy fishing in groups, up to five people can fit in this shelter without feeling crowded. It also has a protective cover (600D polyester) with a fully-insulated interior that keeps its users warm and comfortable. In sub-zero weather, you will feel like home in one.
What We Like
- Durable (600D polyester)
- Spacious (75 square feet)
- Lined interior (warm)
- Simple pop-up design
- Accommodates five people
Our Verdict
Eskimo Outbreak is a 75 square foot pop-up ice shelter that fits up to five people. It is light, durable, and has a lining that keeps its warm.
5. Polar Bird 3T LONG Ice Shelter
The Polar Bird 3T LONG is a comfortable ice fishing shelter made from quality materials. If you have wasted cash on models that have cracked over time and or failed to protect you when needed, expect a better experience from Polar Bird. Its shell, for instance, consists of two layers of fabric (plus an insulator) that keep its occupants dry and warm. It also has a laminated floor (PVC) that protects the feet from water, frost, and wind, which are major causes of frostbite. Finally, during your trips, Polar Bird will take you a few minutes to set up. Its lightweight pop-up design is not only durable but also ready to use.
What We Like
- Laminated PVC floor
- Insulated double layer shell
- Lightweight pop-up shell
- Spacious three-person design
Our Verdict
Up to three people can fish in the Polar Bird 3T shelter comfortably. It also has a robust pop-up design with a warm PCV floor (laminated).
4. Tangkula Pop-up Ice Shelter
A standard camping tent will not protect you from the cold or high winds people face while ice fishing. To stay warm, safe, and therefore, productive for long, you need this specialized ice fishing shelter from Tangkula. Its pop-up design is frost-resistant to -30F. It also has a zippered door for easy access and a 22.5-pound cover made from waterproof oxford fabric (300D). Therefore, up to four anglers can use it in sub-zero environments without safety concerns.
What We Like
- Portable (22-5 pounds)
- Frost-resistant to -30F
- Water/air/rip-resistant
- Fits up to four people
- Large zippered access
Our Verdict
The pop-up Tangkula shelter is a portable 4-person tent made from a frost-resistant (-30F) 300D oxford fabric. Its fiberglass frame is light and durable, while its pop-up design is easy to install on frozen lakes.
3. Goplus Portable Ice Shelter
Goplus is a pop-up ice fishing shanty shelter made from an Oxford fabric (300D). Even though light, the material has water, wind, and frost-resistant design (-30F) that maximizes the comfort of people outdoors. It also has a light fiberglass frame and a spacious interior that houses three adults comfortably. Finally, during ice fishing trips, you will transport this ice shelter easily. Its fiberglass frame and cover are light (19.5 pounds) and foldable into a small pack.
What We Like
- Foldable frame (fiberglass)
- Frost-resistant design (-30F)
- Durable Oxford fabric (300D)
- Lightweight design (19.5 pounds)
Our Verdict
Are you looking for a portable and durable ice fishing shelter for you and your partner? Goplus is a renowned 19.5-pound model with a frost-resistant (-30F) Oxford cover. It is a long-lasting shelter with a warm interior and a transparent floor (PVC) that maximizes comfort.
2. Happybuy Ice Fishing Shelter
Happybuy comes in 2, 3, 4, and 5-person models that are suitable for ice fishing on lakes and rivers. If you are visiting the article with friends and or colleagues, you will like the warm and waterproof environment that this shelter offers. Its oxford shell (300D) is durable, while its spacious 142X72X83-inch design fits eight people plus fishing gear. If you fish at -22F temperatures, Happybuy will never let you down.
What We Like
- Durable fiberglass frame
- Frost-resistant to -22F
- Waterproof Oxford shell
- Spacious (142x72x83-inches)
Our Verdict
Happybuy comes in many sizes, each with a durable oxford shell that is frost resistant to -22F. It is spacious, portable, and has a sturdy pop-up design that most men and women can set up easily in most areas.
1. ThunderBay Ice Cube 3 Man Portable Ice Shelter
ThunderBay is a 90×90-inch portable ice shelter that houses up to three people. Its fiberglass frame has a comfortable height (80 inches), while the tough (300D) polyester fabric used to make it has a blackout coat that keeps its interior warm. It also has extra-wide skirts that keep drafts out and self-tapping ice anchors for securing it on ice. Once reinforced, the risk of it lifting in high winds is relatively low.
What We Like
- Self-tapping ice anchors
- Comfortable height (80 inches)
- Durable polyester fabric
- Warm blackout coat
Our Verdict
ThunderBay Ice Cube is a renowned three-person shelter made from 300d polyester. It is comfortable, resistant to water and wind, and has a blacked out coat that prevents heat from escaping from its interior.
