Renting an Ice Fishing Hut

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Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

You’ll find that in areas where ice fishing is common there are always some fellows around that will gather several ice fishing huts and then rent them for the day, week, or even for the whole season. An ice fishing hut can be just about any size and with any level of comfort features added and will be priced accordingly. Normally commercially made ice fishing huts will include a heating source of some kind, often it’s a propane heater although alternative fuel source heaters are also being used. Many are equipped the larger fuel tanks securely mounted to the trailer or sled area of the hut. A heater is a great feature for setting a comfortable temperature in the ice fishing hut as well as keeping ice from forming on the open water in the holes. Wooden stoves are common too. The only problem with wood stoves is that they will require wood to be carried out onto the lake every time you plan to use the ice fishing hut.

If you’re planning on renting an ice fishing hut this winter, be sure to get a written contract and understand all terms and conditions of the rental. Usually the rental company will bring the hut onto the lake for you but some may require you move the hut yourself. Be sure to inspect the hut before you move it and record and mark any damage, scratches, or other defects that you notice. Point them out to the rental company and ensure that they are correctly identified on the contract.

Padded benches as one of the additional features can really be a great idea, especially if you are bringing the family out ice fishing. Windows and electric lighting, typically run off of car batteries or large cell batteries, really help keep the area inside the hut bright. There is an advantage to using an ice fishing hut that is darker inside, you have the added benefit of being able to see deep into the water which helps identify fish and their movement in the water.

Often the snow and ice glare is just as much of a discomfort while ice fishing as it is in cold weather. The extreme glare of the sun off the white surface can damage your eyes even when wearing good quality sunglasses. Fishing from a hut completely eliminates the glare as well as providing the windbreak needed to weather high wind conditions in relative comfort.

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage to using an ice fishing hut is it’s lack of mobility. Once the ice fishing hut is set up it’s really time consuming to secure everything to move to a new spot. This lack of mobility can hinder fishing for perch and walleye which tend to move around the lake considerably. A stationary hut can often limit your ability to get around on the lake so you should consider using a smaller portable tent style ice fishing shelter in situations like this.

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