Ice fishing used to be a getaway for only the hardiest souls willing to sit on a bucket or huddle in a lean-to, while perched over a fishing hole. With an ice fishing fish house, no need to leave your favorite spot to get rest and food. Anglers can rent or buy their own custom designed shelter. Modern shelters are carpeted and heated with comfy furniture and kitchen appliances.
Battery operated generators support TV's, ovens and microwaves, refrigerators, bathrooms, heated showers, stereo systems, satellite dishes, and fireplaces. When not being used as a fishing shelter, they can be placed in the woods for a hunting cabin. There are many choices of design with many options to choose from including vaulted ceilings and bay windows.
Traditional shanty style homes are dragged onto the ice using ski-like runners. Pick your spot and that's the place for the remainder of the winter. New deluxe homes are on wheels and can be moved. Larger homes are placed with an hydraulic lift. Openings for angling are in the floor. Check local guides to be sure the ice is solid enough to hold the weight. Large, deluxe ice houses can weigh over 6000 pounds.
It's not a primitive sport anymore. Anglers pick their fishing holes based on information gleaned from lake-mapping apps for smart phones, sonar fish finders, and underwater cameras. While the fish are away, anglers can enjoy TV, snacks, a game of poker with their buddies. Built-in aquariums keep fresh bait at hand, and keep the catch of the day fresh until it's frying time.
Lake side resorts rent ice fishing houses. Rent for a few hours, overnight, for the weekend, for the week. Rent a basic unit, heated but minus the TV and refrigerator. Or rent a deluxe home with all the amenities and sleeping quarters for 10 or 12. Resorts keep a close watch on ice conditions. They plow roadways. Renters can drive to the door of their temporary abode. Many also offer a shuttle service so renters can leave their car on shore.
Last year there were over 5,500 houses on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. Many popular locations are populated by a mini-city during the season which usually begins in December and ends in March. Many rentals have their own bathrooms. Satellite toilet facilities are stationed on the ice for those in more basic models.
Check local conditions and follow regulations for placing shelters on lakes. Local experts know where swift currents run that can weaken the ice cover. Winds can break up thinning ice leaving anglers stranded on ice floes needing rescue for themselves, their homes, and their vehicles. A quick warming spell can take even the experienced by surprise. Environmental regulations require speedy recovery of sunken vehicles and homes. This usually requires the assistance of professional rescue teams that deploy divers, and sometimes helicopters to lift heavier items. If you own your own home, buy insurance. Be safe rather than sorry.
Rentals are typically heated, carpeted, and furnished, usually with 2-8 holes for fishing. Sleeper houses have bunks, bathrooms, and stoves. A deluxe home can be used for fishing, sleeping, watching TV, even entertaining. Or rent a small shelter, return to the comfort of the shore, home, a cabin, or motel room for the night. Many resorts offer hauling services to help fishermen with their own houses get set-up on the ice. Some offer guides to assist newcomers in the art of ice fishing.
Battery operated generators support TV's, ovens and microwaves, refrigerators, bathrooms, heated showers, stereo systems, satellite dishes, and fireplaces. When not being used as a fishing shelter, they can be placed in the woods for a hunting cabin. There are many choices of design with many options to choose from including vaulted ceilings and bay windows.
Traditional shanty style homes are dragged onto the ice using ski-like runners. Pick your spot and that's the place for the remainder of the winter. New deluxe homes are on wheels and can be moved. Larger homes are placed with an hydraulic lift. Openings for angling are in the floor. Check local guides to be sure the ice is solid enough to hold the weight. Large, deluxe ice houses can weigh over 6000 pounds.
It's not a primitive sport anymore. Anglers pick their fishing holes based on information gleaned from lake-mapping apps for smart phones, sonar fish finders, and underwater cameras. While the fish are away, anglers can enjoy TV, snacks, a game of poker with their buddies. Built-in aquariums keep fresh bait at hand, and keep the catch of the day fresh until it's frying time.
Lake side resorts rent ice fishing houses. Rent for a few hours, overnight, for the weekend, for the week. Rent a basic unit, heated but minus the TV and refrigerator. Or rent a deluxe home with all the amenities and sleeping quarters for 10 or 12. Resorts keep a close watch on ice conditions. They plow roadways. Renters can drive to the door of their temporary abode. Many also offer a shuttle service so renters can leave their car on shore.
Last year there were over 5,500 houses on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. Many popular locations are populated by a mini-city during the season which usually begins in December and ends in March. Many rentals have their own bathrooms. Satellite toilet facilities are stationed on the ice for those in more basic models.
Check local conditions and follow regulations for placing shelters on lakes. Local experts know where swift currents run that can weaken the ice cover. Winds can break up thinning ice leaving anglers stranded on ice floes needing rescue for themselves, their homes, and their vehicles. A quick warming spell can take even the experienced by surprise. Environmental regulations require speedy recovery of sunken vehicles and homes. This usually requires the assistance of professional rescue teams that deploy divers, and sometimes helicopters to lift heavier items. If you own your own home, buy insurance. Be safe rather than sorry.
Rentals are typically heated, carpeted, and furnished, usually with 2-8 holes for fishing. Sleeper houses have bunks, bathrooms, and stoves. A deluxe home can be used for fishing, sleeping, watching TV, even entertaining. Or rent a small shelter, return to the comfort of the shore, home, a cabin, or motel room for the night. Many resorts offer hauling services to help fishermen with their own houses get set-up on the ice. Some offer guides to assist newcomers in the art of ice fishing.
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