Ice Fishing Under Cover: House, Shelter, or Shanty

While one can fish out in the open, without cover overhead, the ambience (and certainly your attitude toward the outdoors in general) can change drastically with a little shelter. Enter the ice fishing house or ice fishing shelter. Both will keep you out of the wind, provide a bit of a "homey" feel, and keep you focused on the big catch, rather than when it is time to pack it up and go home.

Ice fishing house vs. ice fishing shelter

Which would emerge victorious in 12 regulation rounds?

House, shelter, is there really a difference? In the realm of ice fishing, yes, there is. And while there are dozens of both houses and shelters on the market, to make a true decision on who would win in a head-to-head match, one must first dichotomize the two.

Ice fishing houses

The ice fishing house is typically defined as a permanent or semi-permanent structure. The permanent house is usually constructed right on the ice, or it is moved there on a trailer. The semi-permanent house has its own wheels that are cranked up. Some ice fishing resorts offer very fancy ice fishing houses that include sleeping quarters, kitchens, and bathrooms. The ice fishing house can range from a simple one made of tarp and plywood to a portable, manufactured ice fishing house. The range of what one can find in ice fishing houses rivals the diversity of normal residential homes.

Ice fishing shelters

Ice fishing shelters are meant to be more easily moved. The shelter does guard you from the wind and will keep heat inside. It is usually intended to accommodate one to two people and is a self-contained aluminum frame. Shelters have zippered doors and a canvas cover that is sturdy and warm, designed for frigid temperatures. These mobile units are designed to be set up quickly and easily, and they are affordably priced, starting at $99. They can, of course, be much pricier, depending on the amenities you deem necessary.

Ice fishing shanties

At this point, a mention of the ice fishing shanty should be made. It is the lesser known, but likely as prolific, incarnation of ice fishing refuges. The products on the market today listed as shanties vary from what appears to be RVs to others that look and function like tents. Both versions are portable and can fit into the back of a truck. There are also many versions of build-it-yourself shanties, as well as truly homemade shanties.

So, which is better? Most will say that depends on your needs. A ice fishing house sure is comfortable, but a ice fishing shelter feels better to the pocketbook. The winner is whichever is most important to you.