
Best Ice Fishing Shelter for the Money 2022
Getting out on the ice, drilling a hole with an ice fishing auger, set up your fish finder and dropping a line in the water is a great way to get out of the house during those long winter months. But, as most of you know, simply going out on the water and sitting there can become a daunting task. Out on the lake the winds pick up and being able to withstand the wind-chill can be a difficult thing to do.
This is where an ice fishing shelter comes into play. By setting up an ice fishing shelter you have the ability to stay out of the elements, whether that be the wind, snow or a nasty combination of the two. Not only does it allow you the ability to stay out of the elements, its allows you the ability to set up an ice fishing tent heater. With the luxurious item in your ice fishing shanty, its as if you aren’t even on the ice.
Picking the right ice fishing shelter depends on a handful of variables. Are you the only one fishing? Do you want be able to have multiple lines in the water within the shanty? Do you want it to be an easy, one person set up? All of these things need to be taken into consideration prior to making your final decision.
Lucky for you we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Below you will find some of the best ice fishing shanties currently on the market. Here are our picks for the best ice fishing shanties for the money in 2022.
Enjoy Our Ice Fishing Shelter Reviews
Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1. Eskimo 2-4 Person Pop-Up Portable Ice Shelters | Our Favorite | Amazon |
![]() | 2. Eskimo 5-9 Person Pop-Up Portable Ice Shelters | Premium Pick | Amazon |
![]() | 3. Eskimo 1-3 Person Pop-Up Portable Ice Shelters | Great Value | Amazon |
![]() | 4. Elkton Outdoors Portable 3-8 Person Insulated Double Ice Fishing Tent | Amazon | |
![]() | 5. Clam 9714 Nanook 2-Person Ice Fishing Shelter with Padded Seats | Amazon |
Pricing of these Ice Fishing Shanties Range Between $120-$620
Eskimo 2-4 Person Pop-Up Portable Ice Shelters Review
This Eskimo two person pop-up shelter has a set up size of 60 x 60. It features a single door with a strong YKK zipper that has no chance of breaking off or snagging in the cold weather. With this shelter, you can also adjust your ventilation with four detachable hook and loop windows.
These are flexible vinyl that will offer clear views outside and can either be opened or fully removed. The fabric itself is 300 denier ice tight fabric that has a 59 percent higher thread count than other similar shelters. It also includes six self-tapping ice anchors that are easy to grip and won’t bend under pressure. The best thing about this shelter is how easy it is to set up.
It arrives fully assembled and will pop-up in under a minute. All you have to do is pull out each side and the roof hub. The hubs themselves all incorporate high-quality metal as well as solid fiberglass poles. This isn’t the most durable shelter out there, and it won’t last you that many winters, but it is relatively inexpensive. The ease of set up definitely makes it worthwhile. It also isn’t very waterproof so best to avoid the worst of the weather. Just put on a good pair of winter boots or hunting boots and hit the ice!
Pros
- Strong zipper for cold weather
- Pops-up in under a minute
- Six anchors
Cons
- Not the most durable
- Not completely waterproof
Eskimo 5-9 Person Pop-Up Portable Ice Shelters Review
The Eskimo Fatfish pop-up ice shelter offers a roomy space with a much higher fishable area than many similar items. It also has a reflective trim to ensure that your shelter will be visible at night. The full shelter fits into a cinch duffel bag that, while quite heavy due to its size, can be carried on your back.
Getting the shelter into the bag is a bit of a tight squeeze. For ventilation and to reduce condensation, there are large, removable window panels that can be opened with a hook and loop system. This 78-inch high shelter is designed with two doors on opposite sides to allow anglers easy access to the large fishing area inside, which is ideal for its capacity of 5-7 people. The FatFish shelter is made with IceTight fabric that uses a high quality tightly-woven thread count to keep the warm air inside and the elements out.
The insulated IQ fabric has two layers of this IceTight with a layer of insulation in between. This shelter uses all metal hubs as well as durable fiberglass poles that pop open and set up in seconds. It isn’t waterproof, however, so it isn’t suitable for setting up in the rain.
Pros
- Good ventilation
- Pops up in under a minute
- Very roomy when open
- Thick insulation
Cons
- Difficult to get into bag
- Not completely waterproof
Eskimo 1-3 Person Pop-Up Portable Ice Shelters Review
This Eskimo 1-3 person portable shelter has an insulated roof and back panels. It is covered in IQ fabric which is made with two layers of 300 denier fabric with a layer of insulation in between. This ensures that it keeps the warm air inside the shelter and the cold air out. The black material helps to absorb and hold heat as well as reduce condensation.
This shelter comes with self-tapping ice anchors so that you can secure it to the ice quickly and easily. It also has two oversized side doors that make it easy to move about and create easy access, which is aided by the fact that it is extra tall for better standing room and ease of movement. It has a very easy set-up and is lightweight and compact, making transporting this shelter simple. With an integrated sled that the framework and skin fold down into, there is sufficient room for transporting all of your fishing gear and it has a comfortable seat.
This shelter is more difficult to put up than others, and you need to read the instructions carefully to correctly match the screws before assembly. The fiberglass poles are also not the most flexible, which may be a problem in high winds.
Pros
- Extra tall
- Well insulated
- Folds into integrated sled
Cons
- Can be difficult to put up the first time
- Fiberglass poles aren’t that flexible
Elkton Outdoors Portable 3-8 Person Insulated Double Ice Fishing Tent with Ventilation Windows and Carry Pack Review
This Elkton Outdoor ice fishing tent is very well insulated as well as being waterproof. It is built with three layers of quilted insulation and has a water-tight tarpaulin seal that ensures the tent will stay warm and dry throughout your fishing trip. It sets up and breaks down so easily that it can be done within 30 seconds.
It is also very convenient to store away and it has a carry bag included as part of the package. The extra wide opening and drawstring top is paired with adjustable backpack straps so that you can transport the shelter easily to your desired destination. This shelter has four ventilation pockets located on the roof that allows you to control the airflow coming into the tent based on the direction of the wind. You can also remove the clear panel windows, if needed.
This ice fishing house would make a great gift for any hunter getting out of the house during the winter or and avid angler. It ensures that you remain comfortable and avoid overheating. It also has plentiful storage options with multiple storage pockets and an additional overhead compartment. It is a heavy enough tent to mean that some may find it difficult to move and assemble on their own. The straps are also prone to fraying after some time so you will need to keep an eye on their condition.
Pros
- Well insulated
- Waterproof tarpaulin
- Extra wide drawstring bag
Cons
- Quite heavy to transport and set up
- Straps prone to fraying after some use
Clam 9714 Nanook 2-Person Ice Fishing Shelter with Padded Seats Review
The Clam Nanook ice shelter is a two-person, instant set-up portable fish house. It has a lightweight design that can cut through the snow and move easily across the ice to the perfect fishing location. It has padded swivel seats as well as a backrest for extra comfort.
This shelter has both front and rear doors for convenient access and has RPS clips included for easy tear down and setup. This is a good quality ice shelter made of tough materials with a high level of insulation. It is made of 600 denier fabric which is a lot thicker than many other models on the market. Due to this, it is very warm, particularly if you add a heater. The ventilation could be better, however, as it is prone to condensation build up.
If you are using a heater, it is advisable for you to keep a door partly open for safety reasons. It does get very warm inside so you will soon find yourself not needing all of your thermal layers. The instructions for this shelter are very straightforward and it is easy to set up. It can be difficult to attach the trim when you first receive it, but this just takes a little patience to apply.
Pros
- Well insulated
- Easy to set up
- Glides through the snow
Cons
- Ventilation is poor
- Trim is difficult to attach







