November 5, 2021
By Matt Dybedahl
It's that time of year again when the temperature drops and the lakes begin freezing over. It might sound miserable if you're from the south, but the cold weather means ice fishing will be here soon.
If you're new to ice fishing and looking to get on the ice for the first time this season, one of the most important pieces of equipment (besides your rod & reel) is an ice fishing sled. Ice Fishing Sleds are quite similar to the sleds you used on a snowy hill as a kid, but they're more durable and built to take on tough conditions.
Ice fishing sleds come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, and they even make sleds with shelters built right into them. Most ice sleds are meant to be pulled behind you when walking, but some can be hooked up to an ATV or snowmobile for easy pulling. If you plan on using your ATV or snowmobile for hauling your gear, you'll need to pick up a Sled Hitch.
If you want to make the most of your time on the ice, there's a few things you should consider before purchasing your first ice sled.
- How much gear will you be carrying?
- How far will you need to travel before drilling your first hole?
- Will you be walking? Or pulling it behind an ATV or snowmobile?
- How many fish do you plan on catching?
- Do you want a shelter built into it?
These are all very important things to consider before purchasing your first sled since these will help determine what size and what style ice sled you will need.
If you're still unsure of what to buy, Sportsman's Guide has you covered with a variety of different styles and sizes from the top brands in Ice fishing. Check out a few of those sleds below.
