Best Ice Fishing Sleds and Gear Haulers for Winter
Ice fishing comes with a lot of gear. Between the auger, a shelter, a bucket, rods, a flasher, and a heater, the walk out to your spot can turn into several trips.
A good ice fishing sled carries all of it in one load. Deep, tough sleds slide easily over snow and hard ice, and many double as the base for a flip over shelter.
Look at length, depth, and the material. Thicker polyethylene holds up to cold and rough ice, and a deeper tub keeps gear from bouncing out.
Best Overall: Otter Outdoors Pro Sled
Otter sleds are the ones you see on just about every lake in the Upper Midwest, and for good reason.
The Pro Sled is made from thick, cold resistant polyethylene with a deep tub that carries an auger, a shelter, and a full tackle load.
It pulls smoothly behind a person or a snowmobile and is built to last for many seasons.
Otter Outdoors Pro Ice Fishing Sled
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Heavy duty deep polyethylene ice fishing sled for hauling augers, shelters, and gear.
Shop on Amazon →Best Value: Shappell Jet Sled
The Shappell Jet Sled is a classic utility sled that ice anglers, hunters, and homeowners all use.
It is light, roomy, and slides very easily, so it is a great pick for walking out to a nearby spot.
It comes in several sizes, with the larger sizes fitting a portable shelter and a bucket side by side.
Shappell Jet Sled
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Lightweight, roomy utility sled for hauling ice fishing gear and other winter loads.
Shop on Amazon →Best for Long Walks: Eskimo Ice Fishing Sled
Eskimo's sleds have a rigid, deep design with a molded runner bottom that tracks straight over packed snow.
The tall sides help keep a gas auger and tackle bins in place when the ice is bumpy.
It pairs well with Eskimo shelters, but works with any brand.
Eskimo Ice Fishing Sled
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Deep molded sled with tracking runners for hauling ice fishing gear long distances.
Shop on Amazon →Tips for Choosing an Ice Fishing Sled
- Size it to your shelter. If you plan to mount a flip over shelter, check that the shelter fits the sled before buying.
- Go deep for augers. Gas and electric augers ride better in a deep sled where they cannot tip out.
- Strap everything down. Use bungee cords or a sled cover so gear stays put on rough ice.
- Check the ice first. No sled makes thin ice safe. Check ice thickness and local reports before heading out.
Best Sled Hitch Upgrade: Otter Outdoors Sled Hitch
If you ride a snowmobile or ATV out to your spot, a rigid hitch makes towing much safer than a rope.
A hitch keeps the sled from sliding into the back of the machine when you slow down.
It bolts onto most deep ice sleds and is one of the best upgrades for serious anglers.
Otter Outdoors Sled Hitch
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Rigid tow hitch for pulling an ice fishing sled behind a snowmobile or ATV.
Shop on Amazon →Best Pull Harness: Clam Ice Fishing Sled Harness
Pulling a loaded sled with a rope gets tiring fast. A padded harness puts the load on your hips and shoulders instead of your arms.
That leaves your hands free for a spud bar or rod case.
It is an inexpensive add on that makes a long walk much easier.
Clam Ice Fishing Sled Pull Harness
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Padded pull harness that lets you tow an ice fishing sled hands free.
Shop on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
What size ice fishing sled do I need?
For walking out with a bucket, auger, and rods, a medium sled is fine. If you carry a flip over shelter or heater too, choose a large or extra large sled.
Can I pull an ice fishing sled with a snowmobile?
Yes. Use a rigid hitch rather than a rope so the sled cannot slide into the machine when you stop.
Are plastic sleds durable in extreme cold?
Quality polyethylene sleds are made for cold weather and flex rather than crack. Very cheap thin sleds can crack in deep cold.
Is a jet sled good for ice fishing?
Yes, a jet sled is a popular budget choice. Deeper purpose built ice sleds hold heavy gear more securely.