Can you Use Any Tent for Ice Fishing?

Ice fishing requires you to have the right gear. If you don’t, you’ll be uncomfortable and even in danger.

Having the right tent is one way to ensure you stay warm and comfortable on the ice.

The problem is a lot of people want to take shortcuts. Ice fishing is a serious investment. The sport requires you to purchase a lot of gear. All of these purchases keep you safe, and they’re each equally as important. This guide will outline which tents you can use for ice fishing and which ones you’ll want to leave at home.

Can you use any tent for ice fishing? No, there are dedicated ice fishing tents for a reason. Your warm-weather camping tent is not rated for the cold temperatures and abundant snow you might face on the ice. Make sure to purchase the proper tent for the job.

Can You Use Any Tent for Ice Fishing?

While you can do almost anything you want, it doesn’t always mean you should. They make specific tents designed for ice fishing for a reason. They’re made with additional insulation, open bottoms for jigging, and fortified ceilings to prevent the heavy snow from caving the roof in.

Even though you shouldn’t use any tent for ice fishing, some options are better than others if you have no choice.

Here are your options:

1. Dome Tents

Domes are the most popular type of tent because they’re easy to set up, light, and their design usually yields a bit more headroom than you’d get in some other options.

The problem is, they’re not designed for ice fishing because they have a base. This means you’ll have to cut holes in the tent, which will let the cold air in. Many of these camping tents  do not come with a way to properly secure them on the ice as well.

Worst of all, they’re not designed for high winds. When you’re on the ice, the wind is unforgiving because you’re out in the open with nothing to protect you. When camping in the woods, you have trees and bushes surrounding you, so the wind isn’t a problem.

Can you use dome tents for ice fishing? No 

2. A-Frames

A-Frame tents  use a series of poles to create the traditional A-shaped tent you’re used to. These have a few advantages on the ice. They’re simple to put up, they’re stable during high winds because you can open them to allow the air through, and they don’t have a base so you can cover the ice hole.

The downside is that you can’t stand up, and in many cases, you’ll barely be able to kneel if you’re over six-feet tall. The poles also get in the way because they’re used to support the tent. It doesn’t leave much room for you to work your bait or store your gear.

Can you use A-Frames for ice fishing? Yes

3. Tunnel Tents

These tents use a series of arched poles to create a tunnel-shaped tent. Once again, there is the wind advantage because you can allow the wind to flow through the tunnel as long as it doesn’t change direction.

Tunnel tents  also have a higher frame allowing most people to stand or at least lean. These tents are not freestanding though, which will require you to anchor them to the ice.

Can you use tunnel tents for ice fishing? No

4. Backpacking Tents

Backpacking tents  have a special design built for high wind and harsh climates. These are most commonly used by hikers and mountain climbers.

There is no way you can use these tents for ice fishing because they’re only high enough for you to sit up and they usually have insulated bases to prevent the cold and wet terrain from cooling the inside of the tent.

Can you use backpacking tents for ice fishing? No

5. Teepees

We’ve all seen a teepee  before and while they’re not the most popular option for camping, you could probably use this type of tent for ice fishing. They don’t often come with flooring, they’re spacious, have plenty of headroom, and they’re easy to put up.

The problem is, their height will become a big issue during heavy wind, and they’re heavy. It’ll be difficult to drag these onto the ice even with an ice fishing sled. If you choose to use this tent, you need to properly secure it to the ice.

Can you use a teepee for ice fishing? Yes

6. Pop-Up Tents

Most recreational campers own a pop-up tent  that they use throughout the summer for light camping trips. They’re easy to set up, light, and freestanding. You won’t be able to use them for ice fishing because they contain flooring and they lack the durability and wind resistance necessary on the ice.

Can you use pop-up tents for ice fishing? No

What Is the Difference Between an Ice Fishing Tent and a Camping Tent?

Most camping tents aren’t designed for freezing temperatures. That’s not to say there aren’t tents designed for it, but those aren’t made for fishing.

The two major problems you have in a regular tent are the lack of an open floor and the issues with weather and wind resistance. Many traditional tents have mesh areas that can be covered by a rainfly.

That rainfly will blow off before you even get the tent set up. Now you’re left with open windows in the tent letting the cold air in and defeating the purpose of having a tent in the first place.

On another note, the flooring issue. Ice fishing tents and shelters are floorless because they allow you to cover the hole and fish without leaving the tent. If you don’t mind cutting apart the floor in your tent, you could give it a try. But, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Insulation is another factor. When you purchase a tent designed for ice fishing, you’re getting something designed for use in 35 degrees or below weather. The best ice fishing tents come with insulated walls and wind flaps to prevent the cold air from getting up under the sides.

There are so many differences and various reasons why you should purchase an ice fishing tent and use it for its intended purpose.

How Do You Make a Cheap Ice Fishing Shelter? 

If you’re not sold on the idea of purchasing a shelter, you could always build one yourself. If you’re handy with DIY projects and you know your way around the hardware store, it’s not a bad idea.

There are many ice fishing forums and social media groups to help with this. To give you a rough estimate of what you’ll need, here’s a list of supplies:

• 20-30 2 x 4 x 8 pressure-treated wood for the frame
• 1 sheet of 4 x 8 plywood for the flooring
• 6 sheets of 4 x 8 utility panels for the walls and roof
• 1 box of deck screws 
• 1 box of finishing nails  for the walls and roof
• Wood glue 
• Hinges for the door 

You’ll also benefit from having a circular saw for cutting the frame.

You want to start out by framing the shelter using your 2 x 4s. Cut five of them to 45-inches each. Then, attach them to two 2 x 4s at 8-feet in total length as indicated by the image below.

Then, you can attach your plywood base using the deck screws and secure them to the base.

Add your vertical beams by securing them to the base and then attach the additional beams for the roof at a pitch to allow water and snow to run off the back. You’ll use the utility panels to fill in the roof and walls based on how large you’ve built out the total frame.

If you really want to go the extra mile, you can cut large openings on the inside of the shelter to allow yourself to drill through and fish with the doors closed. Otherwise, you’ll have to keep the doors open, but it’ll still prevent the wind from getting at you.

Can You Make an Ice Fishing Shelter from an Old Camping Tent?

You could try to turn your old tent into a fishing shelter, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Traditional tents don’t possess the weather resistance necessary to keep the cold and moisture out. It’ll result in you feeling cold inside and the tent could even cave in if enough snow accumulates on it.

In many cases, you’re better off just sitting outside on a bucket than trying to turn a tent into something it’s not. You either need to build yourself a proper structure or purchase a dedicated ice fishing shelter . Anything less isn’t going to work.

What Is the Difference Between an Ice Fishing Shanty and an Ice Fishing Tent?

An ice fishing shanty is similar to the structure we’ve built above. Ice anglers use trailers to pull their shanty onto the ice where they’ll likely leave it for most of the ice fishing season. This is popular in Northern climates near and above the Great Lakes.

Winter temperatures will stay around 15-30 degrees through most of January and February making it possible to put a semi-permanent structure on the ice. Once the season is showing signs of an end, you’ll retrieve your shelter from the ice before it becomes too thin.

An ice fishing tent on the other hand is a non-permanent structure that you’ll set up and take down after each use. These are more portable, much easier to obtain, but a lot less versatile in how you use them. You can’t really pick and choose what size you’d like the tent to be. You have to take what’s available.

Ice fishing shelters are the best option for serious ice anglers who go more than a couple of times per year.

Conclusion

The overall takeaway from this guide is that safety and comfort are important on the ice. You need to realize that temperatures can become dangerously cold with the wind chill and you need the right protection to stay safe and actually enjoy your experience.

Ice fishing requires more of an investment compared to other types of fishing. There’s more gear required to even be able to get your lure in the water.

Before you head out, think twice about your ice fishing tent and make sure it’s properly rated for the job you expect it to do. Good luck on the ice!