An ice fishing shanty is a product that any ice fisher should have. The weather can be harsh, so an ice fishing shanty is a fantastic way to protect yourself and stay warm.
However, not all shanties are created equally. Some are better than others, and there’s a lot to consider before deciding which ice fishing shanty to buy. We’re here to help you make your decision.
We have curated a list of the best ice fishing shanties you can buy through careful research and consideration. With this list, we hope that you can make the best choice for your ice fishing expedition.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
CLAM X-500 Portable Pop-Up Ice Fishing Tent
Best for Large Group
Eskimo Quickfish 6i Pop-Up Hub-Style Portable Ice Fishing Shelter
Budget Option
KAZINSKI Portable 3-Person Insulated Ice Fishing Tent
1. CLAM X-500 Portable Pop-Up Ice Fishing Angler Thermal Hub Shelter Tent
The CLAM X-500 Portable Pop-Up Ice Fishing Angler Thermal Hub Shelter Tent is our pick for the best ice fishing shanty of 2023. This hub shelter shanty from CLAM is the stuff of every Ice Fisher’s dreams. A pentagonal shape makes for ample room for 4 to 6 people, and thermal trap technology insulates the shanty while keeping out condensation.
With more features than you can count and featuring only the best of the best materials, the X-500 is the best Ice Fishing Shanty money can buy.
That is if you have the money. This is one of the priciest options on the list, but it’s worth every penny.
Pros
- Completely insulated for maximum warmth
- Made of the best and most durable materials
- Has room for plenty of people with headroom
Cons
- Incredibly expensive for a hub
- Has no ventilation
2. Eskimo Quickfish 6i Pop-Up Hub-Style Portable Ice Fishing Shelter
The Eskimo Quickfish 6i Pop-Up Hub-Style Portable Ice Fishing Shelter is an incredible ice fishing shanty. This hub shelter is the perfect option for a large fishing group or if you’re fishing multiple holes by yourself.
Made of high-quality, 600-denier fabric to fight off the wind and with a quick set-up anchoring system, this tent is sure to keep the elements out of your mind while you fish peacefully. Mesh storage pockets are present to keep your equipment off the ice.
It’s also completely insulated but with a lesser thread count than the CLAM X-500. However, it’s more affordable than our best overall option. Eskimo has also established itself as a reliable brand in recent years.
Pros
- Insulated with quality threaded fabric
- Has a duffle bag for ease of mobility
- Has storage compartments for any of your equipment
- A much cheaper option than the best overall
Cons
- Not as well insulated as some other insulation-focused shanties
- No ventilation
3. KAZINSKI Portable 3-Person Ice Fishing Tent Insulated Ice Fishing Shelter
The KAZINSKI Portable 3-Person Ice Fishing Tent Insulated Ice Fishing Shelter is a great portable hub ice fishing shanty. Featuring high-quality oxford fabric, this option can withstand the elements with no issues.
However, you should note that this is the first non-insulated option on the list. Due to its fabric type, it does retain heat better than other non-insulated options, but its oxford fabric that’s wind-resistant and retains heat is not technically insulated.
While this does mean you’ll be slightly colder, the trade-off, though, is the cost and ease of fishing. One of the most affordable options on this list, this Ice Fishing Shanty is easy on the wallet.
Its pop-up design that uses straps to anchor it in place makes this shanty also the easiest to set up on the list besides the Flip-Over Frabill.
Pros
- The only option with a reflective strip, it’s a plus for safety
- Made of good-quality, durable materials
- Features windows and vents to connect you more to the outdoors
- It has a storage compartment
Cons
- Can retain heat, but it’s not insulated
- The anchoring system isn’t as secure as others on this list
4. Frabill Ice Hunter Front Door 195
The only Flip-Over option on this list, the Frabill Ice Hunter Front Door 195 is an amazing all-around ice fishing shanty. Frabill has been around since the 1930s and is a reliable brand that can always be relied upon to serve you well.
The Ice Hunter ice fishing shanty wears its legacy proudly as this product is top-notch. This option is ideal if you’re hopping from hole to hole to catch as many fish as possible. It comes with windows designed for clarity in cold weather, cushioned boat seats, gear pockets, and zipper compartments for keeping accessories safe.
The Flip-Over also comes with cushioned boat seats, making waiting for a fish a comfortable experience. Keep in mind that this is the most expensive option on the list.
Pros
- The Flip-Over design makes it much more mobile than hub options
- Cushioned seats for comfortable fishing
- Windows to watch to hole outside the tent
Cons
- Heavier than some of the hub options
- Most expensive option on the list at nearly 900 dollars
5. Eskimo Quickfish 2i Insulated Pop-Up Portable Hub-Style Ice Fishing Shelter
Another Ice Fishing Shanty from Eskimo, the Eskimo Quickfish 2i Insulated Pop-Up Portable Hub-Style Ice Fishing Shelter is a great option for solo fishing or fishing with one other person.
A hub shanty, the Quickfish 2i is great for staying in one place, but thanks to Eskimo’s quick assembly system, it’s also good for being on the move. This makes it one of the most versatile shanties on the list. 60-second set-up makes for quick assembly and dismantling, and it’s made of IQ fabric for maximum insulation.
Whether you want to park by one hole or move around, this ice fishing shanty will serve you well.
Pros
- Lightweight and mobile to boot
- Easy to set-up
- Fits into a carrying bag that can be carried like a backpack
- Good price for a hub shanty
- Reliable anchoring system
Cons
- No storage compartments for accessories
6. Nordic Legend 6-Person Portable Ice Fishing Shelter
The Nordic Legend 6-Person Portable Ice Fishing Shelter is a large hub that’s great for ice fishing with a large group. This ice fishing shanty has windows and is one of the only options with vents.
This shanty has all you can ask for in a shanty with the capability of fitting a lot of people, all while being affordable. The Nordic Legend 6-person ice fishing shanty is probably the best budget option with a large capacity. 12 heavy-duty ice anchors that are sure to stay in place on windy days, and it comes with a mesh storage pocket in the roof for accessories and a carry bag for ease of transport.
This ice fishing shanty comes in at 350 dollars. This makes it very well-priced considering the number of people it can fit in it and all the features it has. To say the Nordic Legend is a bargain is an understatement.
Pros
- Large door makes it easy to move in and out
- Insulated and has wind-resistant fabric
- 12 anchors are sure to keep it entrenched in the ice
- Carry bag makes it more mobile than some hub options
Cons
- Only has one storage pocket, which isn’t ideal for such a large option
- The fabric isn’t at the same level of quality as others on this list
7. THUNDERBAY Ice Cube Series Pop-Up Portable Ice Fishing Shelter
The THUNDERBAY Ice Cube Series Pop-Up Portable Ice Fishing Shelter is our final choice on this list, but that doesn’t make it a poor choice by any means. In fact, this is one of the best ice fishing shanties you can get your hands on.
This is our choice for the best regular capacity budget option and is the cheapest option on this list all while being a complete choice. It may not have insulation, but it’s completely windproof and is made of good-quality materials, including hardy 300-denier fabric to protect against the wind.
This Ice Fishing Shanty also fits 2-3 people, making it a good choice for a fishing trip with others or a great option for a solo trip if you like to have room to move about the tent. Additionally, the hook-and-loop windows are easy to remove and adjust as needed.
Pros
- Self-tapping anchors are easy to set up
- Carry bag makes moving easier and can store accessories while the shanty is open
- Blackout coating gives you complete control of the light in the shanty
Cons
- No insulation means this is the coldest option on this list
- No actual pouches or compartments for accessories or tackle
What to Look for in a Good Ice Fishing Shanty
A quality ice fishing shanty will have a few basic features that make it stand out from the rest. If you look for these qualities while shopping for shanties, you’ll be sure to find the perfect one for you.
Let’s get into what these qualities are and why they’re important.
Insulation
Naturally, it would be an understatement to say the weather is freezing while you’re ice fishing. Therefore one of your top priorities to look for while shopping for an ice fishing shanty is insulation.
Note that insulation is not the same thing as wind resistance. A lot of companies will talk about wind resistance, saying it protects from the cold, but this is not the same level of protection as full insulation.
If your ice fishing shanty can’t keep you warm while you fish, that would be a major detriment to its value. Unless you enjoy being as cold as ice, insulation is an important feature for any shanty.
Quality of Materials
An ice fishing shanty not only protects you from the cold but it protects you from winds, snowfall, and much more. A good shanty made of good and strong materials will be able to meet the task and protect you.
Many different fabrics are used, from oxford fabric to custom weaves. But the most important to keep in mind is the denier number.
A denier number is a number that represents the thread count of the fabric. A 300 denier number means the fabric is wind-resistant. A 600 denier number means the fabric is insulated.
As time progresses, the materials in the Ice Fishing Shanty market get better and better as brands seek to gain an edge over one another. This is good as that means the number of good quality ice fishing shanties is only increasing.
Capacity
For you to purchase the right ice fishing shanty, you need to know how many people you want to have in your shanty.
There are many different styles of ice fishing shanties out there, like hubs and flip-overs. No matter which of these options you go with, each type will have the capacity you’re looking for.
Generally, An Ice Fishing Shanty can range from a solo shanty that’s enough for one to a 6-person hub that has more than enough room for a large group.
Hubs or Flip-Overs?
There are two different types of ice fishing shanty out there, and the style you pick is also a big decision. A hub looks like your traditional camping tent, while Flip-Overs have metal bars and look like cubes.
Let’s get into both styles of Ice Fishing Shanty.
Hub Shanties
The main sell of a hub is the fact they’re inexpensive and are far more spacious than a flip-over. Back in the day, hubs were widely seen as poor options, but thanks to new technology, they’re now the more popular option on the market.
A hub is a high-quality insulated tent that is anchored down to the ice. Since it’s like a tent, you have more room to open a chair and move around if you have a fish on the line.
Hubs do have negatives, though. For starters, they aren’t as sturdy as a flip-over or as mobile as a Flip-Over. Not to mention they don’t have the same level of insulation as a Flip-Over.
Flip-Over Shanties
Flip-overs are the more mobile and insulated style of ice fishing shanty. The reason for their mobility is that all you have to do is open the metal bars and flip it over, hence their name.
They’re remarkably simple to use, and since it’s easier to attach thicker fabrics onto them, they are traditionally known as the insulating option.
However, the thicker fabric comes at a cost. Flip-Overs, for all their mobility, are known to be very heavy. They’re also less spacious thanks to their simple nature, which makes them the less comfortable option.
Beat the Elements Worry-Free on Your Ice Fishing Trip!
The ice fishing shanty is crucial to making the most out of your ice fishing trip. As you can tell from our list, there’s no shortage of variety when it comes to which Ice Fishing Shanty you can choose.
Whether you go for a hub or a flip-over, you should always keep in mind what you prioritize when you go ice fishing and how many people you want to fit in your shanty.
We hope that our list has made your choice easier. Need some more Minnesota gear? Trust our recommendations to guide your next shopping trip!
Want to learn more about fishing, discover more fishing spots, and or read up on the best fishing gear? Then continue your fishing adventure with our comprehensive guides, info posts, and more!
Looking for Minnesota winter inspiration? Check out our Minnesota winter guide for activity ideas, winter apparel suggestion, and endless ways to enjoy the snow!
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Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.