In preparing for your next ice fishing trip, you have a lot to concern yourself with – one of the most important being accessories for your tent. With so many tent accessories to choose from, there’s no wonder beginner anglers are overwhelmed. To help, we’ve done all the research and will shed light on the tent accessories you need to enhance your shanty and overall ice fishing experience.
Along with your ice fishing tent, you’ll need several non-negotiable essentials, including a heater and a tie-down kit. There are also some nice-to-have accessories that can make every aspect of ice fishing easier, including:
- Chairs
- Flooring
- Lights
Just because your friend uses a specific accessory doesn’t mean that you’ll need the same items. For the best results, always consider your specific circumstances, your budget, and more. Within just a few minutes, you’ll have a good idea of which ice fishing tent accessories you should have on your list.
Essential Ice Fishing Tent Accessories
We’re going to kick this off with essential ice fishing tent accessories you should never leave without. Include the following accessories in your budget so you can complete all the basic ice fishing tasks. The essentials covered in this section are:
- Portable heaters
- Tie-down kit made of anchors, straps, instructions, and a carrying case
- Sled
Heater
There’s no doubt about it – you need a heater for your ice fishing tent. You and your buddies or family will be on the ice in frigid temperatures with only your clothes and a tent separating you from the frost. If you don’t have a heater, you’ll quickly get way too cold, which could put a damper on the occasion. It could even make you want to go home early.
Can You Use a Heater in An Ice Fishing Tent?
If you’re new to ice fishing and aren’t sure whether you can have a heater in an ice fishing tent, the answer is probably yes. Unless you are fishing at a highly regulated lake with rules against heaters in ice fishing tents, it’s reasonable to assume you can use a heater in an ice fishing tent.
Be Safe with Your Heater
We strongly urge you not to grab the first heater you see – the heater you choose can affect your safety. Many heaters emit carbon monoxide, which can be deadly, in high enough concentrations over a certain amount of time. And your risk is elevated if your tent doesn’t have enough airflow and ventilation.
Choose The Right Heater
While you’re considering heaters for your tent, know that there are several options, each with a unique list of pros and cons. Here are the most common types of heaters used in ice fishing tents:
Propane Heaters
Propane heaters are powered by propane gas cylinders. Using them is straightforward – plus, they tend to be easy to move around. And since they come in so many sizes and configurations, you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that meets your needs. Some of the best propane heaters have cool features like automatic shut-off and adjustable heating capabilities.
Pros And Cons of Propane Heaters
Propane heaters have benefits and drawbacks that should influence your decision. We’ll go over those below:
Pros
- Generally easy to handle.
- Efficient and effective at heating large spaces.
- Widely used in the ice fishing industry.
- No need to deal with wood when opting for a propane heater.
- No electricity is used, which is ideal when you’re out on the ice.
Cons
- Propane heaters are not as safe as other heater options. Since propane gas tends to pool at ground level, there’s an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. To combat that, you’ll need very good ventilation in your tent.
- Some don’t like the idea of handling propane gas cylinders.
*The buddy heater by Mr. Heater is widely recommended on ice fishing forums. If you opt for this heater, ensure that your tent is ventilated and that you are tracking how much carbon monoxide is building up. This is the only way to ensure your safety.
Electric Heaters
Electric heaters, as you may realize because of their name, are powered by electricity. They are incredibly convenient and come in handy when you’re out on the ice and feeling the chill of the surroundings.
Pros And Cons of Electric Heaters
Though electric heaters are among the best heating options for your ice fishing tent, there’s no denying that there are advantages and disadvantages involved. Here are the pros and cons of this heating choice.
Pros
- Much safer than gas or wood-burning heaters when used in enclosed spaces like tents.
- Don’t usually have a bad smell, fumes, or smoke to deal with. All you get is the heat from the appliance.
- Quiet operation. Most of the time, electric heaters don’t make a ton of noise like other heaters might.
- Easy to use. To warm up with an electric heater, all you need to do is plug it in and turn it on.
- No kerosene or propane tanks.
Cons
- You will need an outlet to power your electric heater, which may or may not be available in your ice fishing tent. This could become an issue if you’re fishing off the grid or in a remote area.
- Electric heaters are not always going to be as effective as other heater options. You may need several electric heaters to keep you warm in sub-zero temperatures.
- The cords that come along with electric heaters can be a trip hazard. This is important to keep in mind.
Wood Burning Heaters
Wood-burning heaters/wood stoves are a more traditional way of heating ice fishing tents. They require you to use firewood and a vent pipe to heat the tent without filling it with fumes. Even so, with so many better options out there for ice fishing tent heating, we do not recommend wood-burning heaters or stoves in your tent. The risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning is too great.
Tie Down Kit
When you choose your tent, you may think that it comes with everything you need for your ice fishing trip. Though this may be the case sometimes, it won’t always be the case. Whenever your ice fishing tent does come with a tie-down kit, there’s a chance that it doesn’t have all the accessories and materials you need to anchor your shanty securely.
What’s more, not all tents are geared toward ice fishing, so they may not have the gear you need to use for that purpose.
For these reasons, we recommend getting yourself a separate tie-down kit specifically for anchoring an ice fishing tent to the ice. Taking the time and spending the extra money to ensure you have these components helps to give you peace of mind on the ice. It also reduces your chance of injury from the tent flipping or shifting in windy conditions.
What’s In a Tie-Down Kit?
If you’re wondering what’s in a tie-down kit, the answer is that it depends. Manufacturers have full control over the items that they put in their tie-down kits, so you’ll see different combinations of tools and accessories in any given kit. However, there are some common accessories that you should see in most tie-down kits you come across, and they include:
- Ice anchors – Ice anchors, which some call ice stakes or ice screws, are stakes that you attach to your ice fishing tent and drive into the surface of the ice. They are similar to anchors you’d use for general tents, but they boast some design elements that make them better suited to ice. Some have spikes, some have augers, and others incorporate screws.
- Straps – The straps included in the average tie-down kit bridge the gap between your tent and your ice anchors. Some tie-down kits feature ropes instead of straps.
- Instructions for tying your tent down. The average tie-down kit should come with instructions for how to use the components inside.
- Carrying case. Some of the nicer tie-down kits will have a carrying case that you can use to transport your tie-down accessories.
Sled
Finding a good spot and setting up your ice fishing tent can be more than a notion. But if you don’t have a sled to carry all of your ice fishing tent items, ice fishing accessories, and more, it becomes a serious challenge. An ice fishing sled is what you might think it is – a sled that you use to carry all the items you need on your ice fishing trip.
They come in different sizes, materials, and designs to suit a variety of ice fishers. For instance, very large ice fishing sleds are ideal for multiple anglers who have a lot of bulky equipment, whereas smaller ice fishing sleds are ideal for those who will be fishing solo and don’t have much gear.
As for the material, it’s usually very high-quality plastic that is more durable and weather-resistant than household plastics. They are designed to take on a lot of weight without cracking or wearing away prematurely.
As you’re looking for a sled for your ice fishing tent, it’s essential to choose one that’s both lightweight and durable. The heavier your ice fishing sled is, the harder it will be to lug around.
These three things – your heater, your tie-down kit, and your sled are essential ice fishing tent accessories that you really shouldn’t pass up. And the great thing is all of these items are relatively easy to find online and in sporting goods stores. We encourage you to add all three of these items to your list.
Nice-To-Have Ice Fishing Tent Accessories
In addition to the absolute basic items you need for your ice fishing tent, there are other accessories that will only make your ice fishing trip more convenient and enjoyable. Things covered here are:
- Chairs
- Lights
- E-Hub table
- Coat hooks
- Insulation
- Flooring
- Ice auger extension
- Ice scoop or ladle
- Navigation tools
Keep reading to learn about some nice-to-have ice fishing tent accessories.
Chairs
We strongly encourage you to get some chairs if you plan on ice fishing. The ice, as you may be able to imagine, is hard and unforgiving.
Instead of going for incredibly cheap chairs or the first chairs you see, look for ergonomically designed chairs. These will be more comfortable than your run-of-the-mill chairs. It’s also important to look for weather-resistant chairs that can withstand the frigid temperatures you’ll be in.
Lights
Ice fishing on a dark night with no lights is nothing you want to be a part of. To illuminate the space and ensure you’ve got good visibility, you’ll need lights. If you’re stuck between a couple of light types, we encourage you to try LED lights.
They are mega popular among anglers because they have a long life, are energy-efficient, and are very bright but not uncomfortable.
For ice fishing, be sure to choose portable lights that are easy to mount or hang as you please. You may want to move your lights from time to time, depending on the task.
E-Hub Table
An e-hub table is a tool augers use to store bits and bobs related to ice fishing. They come with several compartments to hold and store items of different sizes and types, like cups, line cutters, lures, etc. They help to keep you organized.
Just remember that not all e-hub tables are created equal. Some will be collapsible; others may have adjustable legs or built-in storage compartments. Choose the one that draws you in the most.
Coat Hooks
Coat hooks are helpful when your tent is considerably warmer than the outside temp (which should be the case most of the time).
Whenever you take your gear off due to the temperature difference, if you don’t have any coat hooks, you might be tempted to toss your coat on the ground or stick it in the corner. That could easily make your tent feel crowded and unorganized. Hanging up your clothing items is a much better choice.
When choosing coat hooks for your ice fishing tent, favor those that are rust-resistant and weather-resistant. They will last much longer than your typical indoor coat hooks.
Insulation
Is your ice fishing tent flimsy and thin? Then, insulation should be on your list. While insulation is not non-negotiable, it can seriously enhance your comfort while you’re on the ice. Insulation panels and thermal liners can adhere to the walls and ceiling of your ice fishing tent in minutes.
And once they’re up, they’ll help keep your body heat and the heat from your heater inside the tent.
But that’s not the only benefit of insulation. Insulation can also help to reduce the noise level inside your tent. So, if you are ice fishing in an area full of other anglers, loud ATVs, and other vehicles, you will appreciate the noise reduction your insulation provides. It’ll make for a more serene trip.
Flooring
Yes, you can leave the floor of your tent bare. But you probably don’t want to. The hard, frigid ice can make your tent colder than it needs to be. To combat this and keep you comfortable, consider adding flooring for your ice fishing tent. You don’t have to opt for anything incredibly expensive or fussy. Here are two options to consider:
- A heavy-duty tarp – Tarps act as a thin but tough barrier between yourself and the ice below. It may be made of a type of cloth or a plastic material. For ice fishing, we recommend sticking with a plastic tarp, which is waterproof. Soft fabric cloth could result in a wet, icy mess. Perhaps one of the best things about tarps is that they are super affordable.
- Foam tiles – Foam tiles are another choice for your ice fishing tent flooring. Look for those that interlock with each other so that you can build yours out in the shape of your tent. They provide insulation from the cold of the ice beneath you and cushioning for your feet and knees. You also don’t need to fiddle around with tools or adhesives to set up your flooring.
Ice Auger Extension
When it comes to ice fishing, it pays to be prepared. Since there’s no way to know how deep the ice is in the lake you’ll be fishing, it’s always good to have an ice auger extension. It’s an addition you can attach to your drill to drill holes through thicker ice. Be sure that the ice auger extension you choose is compatible with your particular ice auger. Otherwise, you could be in for some frustration.
Ice Scoop or Ladle
Whenever your ice fishing hole gets slushy or muddled with ice shavings or slush, you’ll find that an ice scoop or ladle comes in handy. Yes, you can use your hand to remove the extra ice, but why do that when there’s a tool out there that can do it much better and without injury to your hand?
The quality of your ice scoop or ladle depends on where you get it and the company that made it. Look for ice scoops and ladles that have an ergonomic, high-quality handle and are made of heavy-duty metal to ensure longevity.
Navigation Tools
No matter where you’ll be fishing, it’s good to have navigation tools at the ready. By navigation tools, we mean GPS devices and compasses. If you’ve been fishing in a single area for a long time, you can skimp out on the tools and use your innate navigation skills.
However, investing in these tools can take one task off your plate – keeping up with where you are. And that makes your ice fishing trip a little more carefree.
You don’t absolutely have to have any of the above nice-to-have accessories in your ice fishing tent. However, we urge you to consider getting these items to make things much easier. The better off your surroundings are, the more you can focus on what’s important – fishing.
Things To Consider For An Ice Fishing Tent
We’ve covered basic and nice-to-have ice fishing tent accessories, but do you have the right ice fishing tent for your next adventure? If you don’t, keep on reading. Here are a few things to consider:
- The accessories you plan on adding to the tent. If you already plan on adding foam tile flooring and insulation to your tent, you don’t need to get one that already has these components. So, when choosing an ice fishing tent, keep in mind the accessories you already have in addition to the ones you plan on getting.
- The size of your tent. How many people will be going on your ice fishing trip with you? Will it just be you, you and your friends, or the whole family? The number of people has an extreme effect on the ice fishing tent size you should opt for.
- Do you need a portable ice fishing tent? The answer to this will vary based on whether you’ll stay in one spot or plan to move around. Most anglers prefer a super portable tent that allows them to get up and move as they please. This may be the best choice for you.
- Ventilation. How do you plan to heat your tent? Will you use a propane heater or an electric heater? These questions are very important. If you plan on using a propane tank, you need a tent that has many windows and flaps that you can open to increase ventilation in the space.
- The price. When it comes to ice fishing tents, you usually get what you pay for. But you can only afford what you can afford. If you can’t afford a super-expensive tent, you may want to look into more affordable options with fewer features. You can then make up for those with your ice fishing accessories.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – ice fishing tent accessories and guidance on choosing the right ones. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best as you prepare for your next ice fishing adventure.
