Ice fishing continues to grow in popularity each and every year, and for good reason. It can be a very rewarding pastime, but it can also be extremely cold to be out on the ice if you are not properly prepared. In order to not only catch fish, but you must also bring the proper ice fishing gear and tools in order to stay warm and safe.
So what kind of ice fishing gear is essential, and what gear is nice to have? With so many different options, it can be a little tricky at times to figure out what exactly you might want to bring. Before heading out to go ice fishing, here is a quick list of some of the essential ice fishing gear that you will need to bring along!
1. Ice Auger
In order to actually go ice fishing, you must be able to break through the ice and get to the fish. This is where an ice auger comes in. For most ice that is not super thick, you can use a hand auger to quickly and easily cut through the ice and start fishing. These ice fishing hand augers come in plenty of different sizes, and a four or five-foot adjustable, six to eight-pound auger with a 6-inch diameter should be sufficient for most situations.
For bigger species of fish, you will need a larger diameter. A great option for an ice fishing hand auger is the Strikemaster Mora. This tool will get you through most ice in almost any place and allows you to quickly and easily drill a hole. It is also very inexpensive when you compare it to other augers, especially motorized ones. But without a good auger, you will not be able to go fishing on the ice!
Best Ice Fishing Hand Auger
- Made of highest quality material
- The Package Height Of The Product Is 8 Inches
- The Package Length Of The Product Is 34 Inches
- The Package Width Of The Package Is 10 Inches
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Ice Fishing Rod and Reel
In addition to an ice auger, another essential piece of gear is your fishing rod and reel. You simply cannot catch fish without them! Your exact rig may depend on the specific fish that you are targeting, but for most anglers, something like a medium power rod equipped with a six to eight-pound line will get the job done. This will allow you to catch plenty of panfish but also be able to handle decently sized predatory fish like pike and walleye as well.
There are plenty of great rods and reels out on the market today, and many of them are very inexpensive. With a good rod and reel in your possession, you can rest assured that any fish that you get on the end of your line will be in trouble. Here is Amazon’s Choice for the best ice fishing rod and reel combo.
Best Ice Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
- Size 20 spinning reel suited for ice applications
- Ported aluminum spool
- Genuine ugly Stik blank with clear tip design
- Twist-lock reel seat with EVA handles
- One-piece stainless steel guides
- Ugly StikGX2 spinning rods
- 20 size spinning reel with 1 ball bearing
- Ported aluminum spool for lighter weight and added durability
- EVA handle with twist lock reel s
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Warm Clothes
This one, much like the fishing rod and reel, might seem obvious but, hear us out. Ice fishing is done in cold weather, and it does not take a lot for the weather to quickly change and get extremely bad. You should always come prepared with the right clothes to stay comfortable during the duration of your fishing, as well as extras in case you find yourself in one of these types of situations. Remember to bring things like plenty of clothing layers, quality boots, gloves, a neck warmer, and a warm hat.
The good thing about quality snow gear is that it will generally last you a long time. While it can sometimes be expensive, you can rest assured that your gear will always be there when you need it and never fail you when it counts. Remember to wear plenty of layers so that you can add or remove them depending on the temperature and your comfort level. You should also use gear that still leaves you flexible and mobile as well. Something like the Kastking PolarBlast Ice Fishing Gloves is a great example of this, as they keep your hands warm but flip open to allow plenty of hand dexterity.
Best Ice Fishing Gloves
- Key Features – Waterproof and windproof 4 layer construction – insulated mittens with 40 grams of 3M Thinsultate for warmth – 3M Thinsulate is considered “the warmest thin apparel insulation” available. It’s about 1½ times warmer than down and about twice the warmth of other high-loft insulation materials of the same thickness. Converts from mittens to fingerless gloves for maximum dexterity – Anti-slip palm material – Built-in loop pulls for easy removal – One hand operated cuff draw cord.
- WATERPROOF & WIND PROOF – KastKing PolarBlast mittens are constructed with 4 layers of material to keep your hands warm and dry. The stretch poly fleece outer shell is waterproof and windproof, a breathable membrane helps block cold wind, a 40 gram 3M Thinsulate layer provides excellent insulation, and the plush arctic fleece lining provides warmth and wicks away warmth robbing moisture. KastKing’s one-hand operated draw string allows you to cinch down the cuff to block out wind and snow.
- EASY TO MANAGE – KastKing PolarBlast mittens quickly convert from cold weather mittens to fingerless gloves. Built-in magnets hold the thumb and finger flaps out of the way for full finger movement making these mens mittens and womens mittens ideal for ice fishing, photography, or using your smart phone without removing your mittens. KastKing also added finger pull loops for easy removal of your PolarBlast mittens.
- ANTI-SLIP PALM – An extra layer of microfiber leather on the palm helps to extend the life of your mittens while the printed polymer pattern provides additional grip strength in any weather conditions. Great grip for cold weather fishing or ice fishing.
- Prym1 Camo – “BE THE PREDATOR” with American born Prym1 Camo. KastKing is proud to partner with Stacie Walker a wildlife artist and founder of Prym1 Camo. Stay protected from the elements in style with KastKing PolarBlast Mitte
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. Ice Fishing Shelter
No ice fishing trip will be complete without some kind of shelter in order to stay warm and out of the elements. Even if the weather is somewhat fair, a simple ice fishing shelter will also give you plenty of privacy from other anglers. Portable ice fishing shelters that feature a thermal insulation layer are the best option for staying warm and dry while fishing, as well as keeping you out of the wind.
These portable shelters do not have to be expensive either. For example, the Eskimo Quickfish Series pop up portable shelter gives you everything that you could ask for with insulation and anchors to keep the shelter warm and in place while you enjoy your fishing. It is even available in plenty of different sizes, which can be great if you like to fish with friends or family.
Best Portable Ice Fishing Shelter
- 60-SECOND SET-UP: Hub design makes set-up and take-down quick and easy. Shelter fits 3 people with a set-up size of 5.8ft L x 5.8ft W x 6.7ft H, with extra elbow room measuring 7.5ft x 7.5ft
- 300 DENIER ICETIGHT FABRIC WITH 59% HIGHER THREAD COUNT: Higher thread count results in a tighter weave, and offers the wind and watertight performance Eskimo is known for, at an average weight savings of up to 19% over most competitors
- PORTABILITY: Everything fits into a cinch carrying bag that can easily be carried on your back
- SELF-TAPPING ICE ANCHORS: Easier to grip, and wont bend under pressure
- IN-SKIRT ICE ANCHOR GROMMETS: Easily place your ice anchors through grommets located directly in the skirt material—eliminating the hassle of finding and holding a separate grommet
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. Ice Fishing Tip-Ups
Last but not least, don’t forget a tip-up if it is legal in your area. A simple Google search will let you know. Ice Fishing Tip-ups are rigs that allow you to walk away from the area and do the fishing for you. They allow you to cover plenty of area by yourself and usually consist of a plank that sits over your hole and a spring-loaded flag that goes off when a fish takes your bait.
These handy ice fishing rigs are not legal everywhere, but if you are allowed to use more than one rod, they can save you a lot of time and catch you a ton of fish. They are very popular amongst most ice fishermen, and you should not head out to your ice fishing hole without it.
Best Ice Fishing Tip Up
- Frabill | Trusted By Anglers Since 1938
- The original insulated tip-up | Prevents hole from freezing up | Covers 10 hole
- Easy to carry design | Fits in 5- to 6-gallon bucket for simple storage
- Pre-lubed with Sub-Zero low-temp lubricant | Shaft-in-shaft design allows re-greasing for many seasons of successful ice fishing
- Dual trip settings (light or heavy) | Removable spool sh
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Portable Fish Finder
I recently found this little tool on Ebay of all places. This portable fish finder is super slick. I was a little skeptical at first, but I’ll be darn if it doesn’t do what it says it does. It has a fish alarm, thermometer, and depth finder. It gives me a general idea of where drop-offs are and shows me suspended fish. The water temperature is accurate (and that’s very important). Beyond marking fish, the advantage with these is you get a clear enough understanding of the bottom structure to help optimize rig selection.
- Waterproof design: level-4 (spray-water-proof), show water depth, fish location, and bottom grass & rock.
- User selectable sensitivity, depth units, and fish alarm setting.
- Wireless sensor could shut down when it is out of the water.
- Operational Temperature: 14°F to 122°F(-10°C to 50°C).
- Wireless sensor battery reauirement: one replaceable CR2032 batte
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Ice Fishing Essential Gear Final Thoughts
As you can see, ice fishing has a number of gear items that you will need in order to be successful and have a good time. This is a simple list, but this will get you started and give you everything that you might need! Always remember to bring everything you think that you will need and stay safe.
