Every winter, ice shacks appear across the frozen surfaces of northern lakes. Ice fishing is a sport for the hearty, those who know how to dress warmly, and folks who build ice shacks for protection from bitter winds. Whether the ice shack you use is a basic windbreak or a veritable palace-on-ice, make sure that safety measures take priority.
Portability
A simple, fold-up tent-style ice shack is designed to be carried like a backpack or sling, so make sure before your purchase that it is make of lightweight material and can be compactly packed without any awkward, dangling apparatus to swing against your legs or drag. A mid-size ice shanty may placed on a sled or skis, making it easy to slide across the frozen surface. Larger ice fishing shacks that house multiple anglers are built on skids or a slick metal plate to facilitate a smooth glide as the structure is dragged into place by a vehicle. Regulations on some lakes require a special permit to leave your ice shack unoccupied, making portability a high design priority.
Ventilation
Allow fresh air circulation in your ice shack, even though the air is chilly. Condensation develops in a tightly closed structure, potentially causing ice build-up on the interior surfaces of the shack. If you use a heater in the shack, ventilation is critical to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, especially if you stay on the ice overnight. Position your shack so that you can open the door from time to time without wind blasting in. Ensure that small windows or vents are strategically placed in larger ice shacks, and are open when you have the heater running. Use a heater that can be vented to the outside and maintain it routinely to reduce the possibility of harmful fumes building up. For an extra level of security, install a carbon monoxide detector in your ice shack.
Furnishings
The most basic furnishing in your ice shack is seating. Although comfort can be a relative term, considering the cold and long hours spent catching fish through a hole in the ice, sometimes sitting on a simple inverted bucket is comfortable enough. Use storage containers for double duty, both as a repository for fishing gear, food and other supplies, and as bench-style seating. For back support or just plain lounging, carry lightweight folding chairs in along with a small portable shelter. Larger-scale ice shacks can accommodate standard-size furnishings, including a bed, small refrigerator and a camp stove. Use fold-up cots, hide-a-beds that can be turned into a sofa for daytime, and drop-leaf tables to create a flexible interior design for your ice shack.
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