I like to do quite a bit of night time ice fishing for walleyes. I currently have an older Coleman lantern that runs of the coleman gas and has two mantles. The mantles seem to wear out so fast, not to mention it puts out some fumes in the shack. I would like to have an electric lantern…but im not sure that they make a good one that puts out light like the gas ones.
Anyone have any suggestions on a lantern to buy?
Have you considered a headlamp, rather than a latern, or would that not be enough light? Just an idea!
A headlamp is the only way to go 
The new LED’s are slick!!
I bought some LED lights from Walmart that work great. I can’t think of the name of them off hand… but they are very bright… They are made by 3M and have a adhesive backing… you just push them to turn them on. Last a long time… no residue left on your icehouse. And they are re-stickable (just pull them off… wipe them clean, and use them again). I put one above each hole (or one above each set of holes) and it is plenty of light. Great for charging up the glow jigs too!!!
I went from white gas to LP. I dont even notice fumes and I’m pretty sensitive to that stuff. Of course I have a drafty flip over. With LP you will get far less fumes, very bright light, long lasting and heat. My favorite is a dual mantle century with push button ignition. I bought a stainless steel mesh to replace globe so no more broken glass. I probably replace the mantles once a year But I rarely night fish.
It’s not exactly what you were asking for, but I’m really happy with my coleman dual mantle propane lantern. I’ve used it quite a bit, and the mantles hold up pretty good. I found that if you keep it from bouncing around the mantles (and globe) last a long time. I bought a tough plastic case and have not had to replace them yet. It’s even survived a few rolls down a railroad embankment. Plus, it puts out enough heat to keep a small shanty warm in the winter, and i’ve never had any fume problems either. Just my take
Headlamps all the way. One less thing to have to get ready when going out in the evening.
Last year on Mille I forgot my headlamp (brim) type unit in the truck 5 miles away while fishing with another IDA member. He had an extra Vex. type battery and a rope light. I just weaved it through the poles in the shack and I was set to go. No gas smell, no mantels or globes to break, light and compact to bring.
I still use my trusty Coleman single mantle propane lantern. It is the mini version, gives off as much light as a 100 watt light bulb. I have the LED headlights as well, but still like the extra light a propane lantern provides. No pumping, and very little gas smell.
The coleman single mantle laterns are great. Plenty of light for a portable. Gives of some heat. Very durable and easy to use. These are the ones that screw on top of the disposable gas tanks. You would have to punt it to break it. My old colemans went in the garbage after buying one of the single mantle laterns. They are junk.
Candles are also great for light. There is always a few in the bottom of my bucket or portable. They give off a little heat and are pretty tough to screw up. Have spent a few evenings fishing with three candles sitting around the hole.
I don’t know if any of you has seen this accessory for your coleman lights. I was going to order one for my single mantel propane light. I have heard that they work really well and increase the available light significantly. Here is the link: http://www.soderbloom.com/reflectralight.html
I use an 18″ green tube submersable light hooked up to a vex battery works great. You can even drop it under the ice a foot or so and still have plenty of fishing light in the shack ( Check local regs before submersing a light)
I’m thinking about tryin out the rope lights. How well these light up my 6 by 8 portable shack? I like the idea of the head lamp for outside the shack, but I do like a well light shack too.
That green light we use lights up my Qwik Flip 3 great ( about the size of yours). Looked at a demo set of the Trap rope lites, wasnt impressed. My buddy baught the light I use I think he paid under $30 for it. Also works well night fishing in the boat.
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I don’t know if any of you has seen this accessory for your coleman lights. I was going to order one for my single mantel propane light. I have heard that they work really well and increase the available light significantly. Here is the link: http://www.soderbloom.com/reflectralight.html
I ordered one of these and was not happy. I matched up the model when I ordered the size, and it still doesn’t fit. You cannot carry or hang the lantern by the handle with the shield on.
I use a headlamp and rope light/vex battery combination. The rope light gives off plenty of light for fishing, but the headlamp is nice for tying and digging around in the boxes.
I use a headlamp,plus one of those battery-powered Coleman pop-up lanterns.
Seen too many crazy things happen with the white gas lanterns.One guy I know lit his lantern,and it flared-up.He panicked and hurled it into a snowbank.
Years ago a friend decided to fill his lantern on his dad’s workbench.Filled the lantern,spilled a little and capped it.Then decided to take some extra fuel with.Found a Ball jar and filled it.Set it aside,and for some stupid reason decided to”burn off the spillage”.Well,you know what happens with white gas fumes.It went wooof!,and traveled to the jar.Just about burned down the garage.Lucky it went out quickly.
Could have been a Darwin moment.His dad was not happy,stupid kids I guess.
Can you just buy those rope lights and then tie a piece of wire from each side of the plug-in to a post on like a battery from a motorcylce or lawnmower? Whats the best way to rig those up?
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