Ice fishing is not for the faint of heart. Braving the frozen waters in search of the perfect catch requires determination, skill, and, most importantly, the right gear.

You certainly need certain types of fishing gear and equipment for ice fishing, but among items, a pair of reliable ice fishing boots stands out as a critical piece that can make or break your experience on the ice.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the factors to consider when choosing the best boots for ice fishing, the various types available, and our top picks.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Ice Fishing Boots

1. Insulation

When venturing onto icy lakes where temperatures can plummet, proper insulation becomes paramount. Insulated boots help retain body heat, keeping your feet warm and comfortable throughout the day.

Look for boots that contain materials such as Thinsulate, wool, or neoprene, which are known for their excellent insulation properties. The amount of insulation needed can vary depending on your local climate and how long you plan to stay out on the ice.

2. Waterproofing

You can lose a lot of body heat through your feet. Given the nature of ice fishing, where you’re in constant contact with snow and ice, waterproof boots are a must. Wet feet can quickly lead to discomfort and even frostbite in extreme conditions. Boots made with waterproof materials like Gore-Tex, rubber, or PVC will keep moisture out, ensuring your feet stay dry and warm.

3. Traction

One slip on the ice can turn a great day of fishing into a painful one. That’s why traction is a crucial consideration when selecting ice fishing boots. Look for boots with aggressive treads, cleats, or studs that can grip slippery surfaces effectively. Some boots even come with removable cleats or built-in traction systems designed specifically for icy conditions.

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4. Comfort

Ice fishing often involves long hours of standing or walking on hard, cold surfaces. Therefore, comfort is key when choosing ice fishing boots. Look for features such as ample cushioning, good arch support, and enough room to accommodate thick socks without feeling cramped. A comfortable pair of boots will keep you focused on the fish, not on your feet.

5. Durability

Ice fishing can be tough on gear, with boots subjected to harsh conditions like sharp ice edges and abrasive surfaces. Opt for boots made from durable materials such as leather or high-quality synthetic fabrics. Pay attention to the stitching and overall construction, ensuring that your boots can withstand the rigors of the ice fishing season.

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Types of Ice Fishing Boots

1. Pac Boots

Insulation and Design of Pac Boots

One of the defining features of PAC boots is their innovative design that combines a removable inner felt liner with a sturdy outer shell. The removable liner, often made of thick felt material, serves as the primary source of insulation. This design allows you to adjust the warmth of the boots based on the weather conditions. In extremely cold temperatures, you can keep the liners in for maximum warmth. On milder days, you have the option to remove them for a lighter, more breathable feel.

Waterproofing and Protection

Pac boots are built to withstand wet and icy conditions, making them an excellent choice for ice fishing. The outer shell of these boots is typically made from waterproof materials such as rubber, PVC, or synthetic fabrics. This waterproofing not only keeps your feet dry, but also protects against slushy, wet snow and icy puddles commonly encountered on the ice.

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Traction for Slippery Surfaces

One of the biggest challenges of ice fishing is navigating the slippery surfaces of frozen lakes. Pac boots address this concern with their rugged outsoles featuring deep treads or lugs. These aggressive treads provide exceptional traction on icy, snow-covered terrain, reducing the risk of slips and falls.

Ideal Conditions and Uses of Pac boots

Pac boots excel in extreme cold and deep snow conditions, making them a favorite among ice anglers who brave the coldest months of winter. So, whether you’re standing on the ice for hours waiting for the big catch or trekking through snowy landscapes to reach your fishing spot, Pac boots offer the warmth, waterproofing, and traction needed to tackle the elements.

Key Features of Pac Boots

Removable felt liners for added warmth, waterproof uppers, and rugged outsoles for traction.

Ideal Conditions For Pac Boots

Ideal for extremely cold temperatures and deep snow.

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Advantages Of Pac Boots

• Excellent insulation with removable felt liners.
• Superior waterproofing to keep feet dry and warm.
• Rugged outsoles with aggressive treads for traction.
• Versatility in adjusting warmth with removable liners.
• Durable construction to withstand harsh winter conditions.

Cons of Pac boots

• Slightly heavier compared to other types of ice fishing boots.
• May require occasional maintenance such as cleaning and drying the liners.

Popular Brands and Models of Pac Boots

• Sorel Caribou Pac Boots
• Kamik Men’s Hunter Pac Boots
• Baffin Men’s Impact Insulated Boots

2. Rubber Boots

Rubber boots are a classic choice for ice fishing, valued for their simplicity, waterproofing capabilities, and ease of use. These boots have stood the test of time as a reliable option for anglers venturing onto frozen lakes and snowy landscapes.

Ideal Uses and Scenarios

Rubber boots shine in early and late ice conditions, where waterproofing is crucial. They are perfect for quick outings, easy trips to and from your fishing spot, and scenarios where you expect to encounter wet or slushy surfaces.

Key Features

• 100% Waterproof: Made of rubber or waterproof materials to keep feet dry.
• Simple Design: Slip-on style for easy wearing and removal.
• Easy to Clean: Rinse off mud, snow, and debris with ease.
• Quick Drying: Interior tends to dry relatively quickly.

Waterproofing and Design of Rubber Boots

The hallmark feature of rubber boots is their 100% waterproof construction. Made entirely of rubber or rubber-like materials, these boots are impervious to water, making them ideal for wading through slushy ice, wet snow, and icy puddles without a second thought. The seamless design of rubber boots ensures that no moisture seeps in, keeping your feet dry and comfortable throughout your fishing expedition.

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Advantages of Rubber Boots For Ice Fishing

• Waterproof Protection: The primary advantage of rubber boots is their ability to keep your feet completely dry. This feature is invaluable when dealing with the wet and icy conditions commonly encountered during ice fishing.
• Easy to Clean: Rubber boots are a breeze to clean after a day out on the ice. Simply rinse off any mud, snow, or debris, and they’re ready for your next adventure. This low-maintenance aspect makes them a convenient choice for anglers.
• Quick Drying: Should your boots get wet on the inside, whether from sweat or moisture seeping in, rubber boots tend to dry relatively quickly. This feature is particularly beneficial when you need to reuse them soon after a wet outing.
• Simple and Reliable: Rubber boots are known for their straightforward design and reliable performance. They are often slip-on, with no laces or complicated closures, making them easy to put on and take off, especially when you’re bundled up in layers.

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Cons of Rubber Boots

• Less Insulation: Compared to pac boots or insulated hiking boots, rubber boots generally offer less insulation. While they provide excellent waterproofing, they may not keep your feet as warm in extremely cold conditions without additional thermal socks.
• Limited Breathability: The waterproofing that makes rubber boots so effective can also lead to limited breathability. This means your feet might get sweaty and uncomfortable during extended periods of wear.

Popular Brands and Models Of Rubber Boots

• Muck Boot Arctic Sport Rubber Men’s Winter Boot
• Bogs Classic High Waterproof Insulated Rain Boot
• LaCrosse Men’s Alpha Range Waterproof Rubber Boot

3. Insulated Winter Hiking Boots

Key Features

• Insulation: Thinsulate, wool, or synthetic materials for warmth.
• Versatile Design: Suitable for hiking and ice fishing.
• Good Traction: Sturdy outsoles with moderate to aggressive treads.
• Breathability: Allows for better airflow to prevent sweaty feet.
• Comfortable Fit: Designed for extended wear without discomfort.

Ideal Uses and Scenarios

Insulated winter hiking boots are perfect for ice anglers who want warmth without sacrificing mobility. They shine in situations where you need to hike to your fishing spot, trek through snowy terrain, or enjoy a mix of hiking and ice fishing activities. These boots are also excellent for anglers who prefer a more streamlined and lightweight option compared to bulky pac boots.

Insulation and Design

The defining feature of insulated winter hiking boots is their combination of warmth and agility. These boots typically feature insulation in the form of Thinsulate, wool, or synthetic materials, providing a cozy barrier against the cold. Unlike the bulkier pac boots, winter hiking boots offer a more streamlined design, allowing for greater freedom of movement.

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Pros of Insulated Winter Hiking Boots:

• Versatility: Insulated hiking boots are not just for the trail—they also excel as ice fishing boots. Their versatile design makes them suitable for both hiking through snowy landscapes and standing on the ice for long periods.
• Warmth with Mobility: These boots strike a balance between warmth and agility, providing sufficient insulation without the bulkiness of traditional pac boots. This makes them ideal for anglers who need to move around or hike to their fishing spot.
• Good Traction: Winter hiking boots often feature sturdy outsoles with moderate to aggressive treads, offering reliable traction on icy surfaces. This traction is essential for stability and safety while navigating frozen lakes.
• Breathability: Compared to rubber boots, winter hiking boots typically offer better breathability. This means your feet are less likely to get sweaty and uncomfortable during prolonged wear.

Cons of Insulated Winter Hiking Boots:

• Less Insulation Than Pac Boots: While they offer good warmth, insulated hiking boots may not provide the same level of insulation as dedicated pac boots. Anglers fishing in extremely cold conditions may need additional layers of thermal socks.
• Not as Waterproof as Rubber Boots: While many winter hiking boots are water-resistant, they may not offer the same level of waterproofing as rubber boots. Standing water or slushy conditions can still lead to moisture seeping in over time.

Popular Brands and Models:

• Columbia Bugaboot Plus IV Omni-Heat Winter Boot
• KEEN Durand Polar Waterproof Winter Boot
• Salomon X Ultra Winter CS Waterproof Hiking Boot

4. Ice Fishing Specific Boots

Key Features

• Built-in Ice Cleats: One of the standout features of ice fishing boots is the incorporation of built-in ice cleats or studs. These cleats provide exceptional traction on slick, icy surfaces, ensuring stability and safety while walking or standing on the ice.
• Specialized Lacing Systems: Many ice fishing boots come with specialized lacing systems designed to provide a snug and secure fit. These systems help prevent snow and moisture from entering the boots while offering customizable tightness for comfort.
• Exceptional Insulation: Ice fishing boots prioritize warmth with advanced insulation technologies. These boots often feature multiple layers of insulation, such as Thinsulate, to trap heat and keep feet warm even in frigid temperatures.
• Waterproof and Windproof Materials: To combat the elements, ice fishing boots are constructed with waterproof and windproof materials. This ensures that feet stay dry and protected from the biting cold wind that often accompanies ice fishing expeditions.

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Pros Of Ice Fishing Boots

• Unmatched Traction: The built-in ice cleats provide superior grip on icy surfaces, reducing the risk of slips and falls.
• Maximum Warmth: Advanced insulation keeps feet warm in even the coldest conditions, allowing anglers to fish comfortably for hours.
• Durable Construction: Ice fishing boots are built to last, with rugged materials that can withstand sharp ice edges and abrasive surfaces.
• Specialized Features: From specialized lacing systems to reinforced toe caps, these boots are designed with the needs of ice anglers in mind.

Cons Of Ice Fishing Boots

• Higher Price Point: Ice fishing specific boots often come with a higher price tag due to their advanced features and specialized design.
• Heavier Weight: The robust construction and added features can make these boots heavier compared to other options.

Popular Brands Of Ice Fishing Boots

• Striker Ice Combat Boot
• Clam IceArmor Edge Cold Weather Boot
• Korkers

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Maintenance and Care Tips For Ice Fishing Boots

To ensure your ice fishing boots last for many seasons, follow these maintenance tips:

• Regular Cleaning: Remove dirt, salt, and debris after each use to prevent damage.
• Proper Storage: Store boots in a cool, dry place to prevent mold and mildew.
• Conditioning: Treat leather boots with appropriate conditioners to maintain suppleness.
• Inspect for Damage: Check for wear and tear, and repair or replace as needed.

Conclusion

Choosing the right boots for ice fishing is a decision that can significantly impact your comfort and safety on the frozen lakes. Consider factors such as insulation, waterproofing, traction, comfort, and durability when making your choice.

Whether you opt for pac boots, rubber boots, insulated hiking boots, or specialized ice fishing boots, investing in quality footwear will enhance your ice fishing experience. Stay warm, stay dry, and most importantly, stay safe out on the ice!

So, you’d love to ice fish, but aren’t quite sure how to do it?

Well, I’m going to cover the basics of ice fishing – an Ice Fishing 101 – so you can get out, safely fish, and share moments on the ice with your family and friends.

Ice Fishing For Beginners

You can navigate to any part of the article more quickly by clicking the links below:

1. Locate an ice fishing spot
2. Be sure ice is safe
3. Ice fishing clothing
4. Ice fishing gear
5. Drill hole in ice
6. Bait the jig
7. Jig the lure

Step 1: Locate your ice fishing spot

Now, the first step to getting on ice fishing is to find a good place to ice fish. Once you do that, you’re going to want to start to fish in the first 50 to 100 yards from shore.

You’re going to typically target 10 to 15 feet in depth and that will allow you to catch panfish, crappie, bluegill as well as pike and hopefully largemouth bass as well.

If you are ice fishing for the first time in a particular location and don’t know exactly where to fish, a good move is to get started right next to some other shelters. There are great communities out on the ice and everyone is fighting the cold and usually love fishing next to each other.

Step 2: Check for safe ice conditions

You should always be sure that the ice conditions are safe before attempting to fish a certain location. I highly recommend that you call or stop into your local bait and tackle store and make sure that the lake you picked out has safe ice conditions.

You can typically see where other people are safely fishing as well as sticking to the foot paths that they’ve already created, so you know it’s generally safe ice.

I highly recommend drilling holes (we’ll get to that further down) every 10 to 20 yards to double check the ice thickness.

I don’t recommend going out on any water that has under 5 inches of ice. If you have 5 inches, you’re going to be good, but you want to keep checking to make sure that there’s no variation in thickness.

If you do get to an unsafe spot, get off that lake. Five inches is the minimum.

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Step 3: Wear appropriate clothing

Before you go ice fishing, be sure to gear up with warm winter clothing. It’s a good idea to dress in multiple layers as well as a coat, mittens, hat, snow pants and snow boots.

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Safety gear is an essential part of your clothing

Safety spikes and ice cleats and floating bibs are very important components of proper ice fishing clothing.

The cleats help you walk on the ice without slipping and the safety spikes allow you to pull yourself up out of the water in the event that you fall in.

The floating bib has material in it that will allow you to bob back to the surface if you were to fall through the ice.

Now, if you don’t have higher end ice fishing bibs that can float, I highly recommend taking some sort of floatation device with you, most notably, an inflatable life preserver that’s easy to carry and lightweight.

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Step 4: Ice Fishing Gear Inventory

Once you get your winter clothing taken care of, you need to get your ice gear taken care of.

There are a few pieces of gear that are rudimentary and essential to getting out on the ice to fish.

Sled: First, because you will likely need to drag your gear and equipment with you for long distances, you will need a sled.

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Auger: Secondly, you will need an auger. An auger is a drill that will cut through the ice. It goes from 6 inches to 10 inches, and some even go up to 12. If you’re just getting started, I highly recommend just having a 6-inch hand auger.

Bucket: Another important thing to have is a bucket. This bucket is going to carry all of your tackle, your bait, all in one thing. And it also serves as a stool so you have a place to sit when you’re out on the ice.

Scooper: Next, you need a scooper. This is going to allow you to hold the ice out of your hole, clean it up and fish that hole consistently without having the ice interrupt your fishing or the fish coming through the hole.

Ice Fishing Rod: When you’re ice fishing over a hole that’s right in front of you, you don’t want a long freshwater fishing rod, because it will put you too far away from the hole. You won’t be able to fish with it inside of a shelter. Plus, they have very low sensitivity. I recommend a 28″ ice fishing rod.

Jigs: Next, you need some jigs. The Tailored Tackle Multispecies Ice Combo allows you to jig or deadstick for a multitude of species. It includes micro jigs, tungsten jigs and others that you’re typically going to be using.

Bait: Lastly, you’re going to need some bait. Spikes are maggots that are used in ice fishing. You tip two to three of them on your jig and you jig them up and down to catch all sorts of species; primarily panfish, like perch and crappie.

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Step 5: Drill A hole in the ice

Once you arrive at your spot, you’ll need to drill a hole in the ice. You will need to take the safety device on top of the bottom of the auger and remove it. Drill down into the ice by moving it clockwise.

Once you have drilled your hole, remove the excess slush with your boots.

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Scoop the hole

After drilling the hole, you’ll need to scoop it, using your scooper. Dip the scooper slowly into the hole and pause.

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Step 6: Bait the jig

Once you have drilled the hole and scooped out all the ice, it’s time to bait the jigs.

Once you have baited your jig, lower the lure down into the hole. Open the bale on the reel and let the line out. Fishing one to two feet off the bottom is very effective.

Step 7: Jig the lure

The next step after lowering you lure and getting it off the bottom is to jig.

Lift your rod tim up and back down and then pause 2 to 3 seconds. That’s just a basic jig. Lift up. Drop it down. Pause 2 to 3 seconds.

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You can even last a couple of seconds longer, maybe 5, 6 seconds for the pause. The bites are going to happen on the pause. So, the jigging is calling in fish and the pause is letting them come up and take a bite.

Another jigging cadence you can try is to softly jiggle it in place or work it upwards in little blips upwards just like that. So mix your jigging cadences. Try different techniques, big swoops, lift-ups, jiggling in place, or just the regular jig. Pause.

Now, when a fish comes through and is interested in the bait, you’ll feel a tap, tap, tap.

It will be easier to handle the fish by taking off your mittens and using your bare hands.

When releasing the fish, kneel down and drop it into the hole. Sometimes a bigger fish will need a tail wag in the water and it will be on its way for someone else to catch!

Good luck ice fishing!

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More related content from N1 Outdoors:

• Let’s Go! Best Ice Fishing Locations For Your Family
• How To Cast Light Lures With A Baitcaster | The Inside Information

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