I have gone ice fishing maybe twice in the last 10 years. Looking to get into it this winter since Pool 8 freezes up. I’m not too concerned with rods and lures. However, for someone that isn’t a hardcore ice guy, what would be a good starting point for a pullover/tent and flasher? I’m most likely going to stay local on Lake Onalaska or backwaters. Certainly not looking to break the bank – just to get me through until the ice comes off the river.
I’d say look into the Marcum or Vex flashers. I’m a Maurcum guy.
Then look into ice fishing shacks “sleds” depends on your needs and how many will typically be fishing with you. I like Otter.
Don’t forget about the auger. I’d say electric is the way to go nowadays. I like the Strikemaster.
BTW – if anyone disagrees with me just ignore them. 
Do you already have a graph for open water?
A lot of units can be converted for ice fishing.
I just did this post last year.
Started with a vexilar fl-8 which was solid but ended up buying the ice ducer for my lowrance unit and love having my map right there.
I’d go with a strike master hand auger to start honestly. Cheap and gets the job done. If you end up fishing a lot you can always upgrade.
I’m mostly an outdoors guy so can’t really comment on the shack.
I have a Helix 9 G2.i couldn’t verify if that could be used on the ice or not. I’m hoping to get a blade and just use my DeWalt drill but wouldn’t be against a hand auger if need be.
Some electronic marine units are rated for below-freezing temps and some are not. I would verify that before trying it. You could ruin the unit if you’re wrong. I have a 2014 Lowrance Gen 2 that is not rated for anything below 32 degrees, however, I just upgraded to a Lowrance HDS Carbon this year that says I can use it in temperatures down to 10 degrees.
You’re pretty much set then.
Get an ice transducer for your bird and rig up a case with a battery. Lots of ways to do it (bucket, pelican case, milk crate, etc)
Don’t worry about flasher mode, having a split screen 2d is 100X more useful.
Get a 7″ hand auger with a drill adapter.
Then a one man shack like a Kenai or similar 
If space is a premium, then a one man pop up and a small sled may suit you better.
Since you already have a drill I would suggest buying a Mora hand auger and the Clam plate. I did this last year and it works great. I waited until Black Friday. I ended up spending $110 for the auger and plate. Hooked my drill up to it and never looked back. I will never use a gas auger again.
For a shack look on Craigslist. Tons of cheap houses on there already and there will be plenty more on there soon.
This is a great deal, especially for best offer
The shack might be bigger than you’re looking for though.
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/spo/d/milaca-whole-ice-fishing-lot/6989089825.html
You’re pretty much set then.
Get an ice transducer for your bird and rig up a case with a battery. Lots of ways to do it (bucket, pelican case, milk crate, etc)
Don’t worry about flasher mode, having a split screen 2d is 100X more useful.
Get a 7″ hand auger with a drill adapter.
Then a one man shack like a Kenai or similar
If space is a premium, then a one man pop up and a small sled may suit you better.
So with an ice ducer I can use the Helix?
Yes.
My buddy uses a Helix 10 on the ice.
Do your research on the ducer, there’s a couple different kinds.
That is really good to know. Appreciate all the advice from all
I would also recommend coming to the ice show this year. No purchases are needed it will be tough not to buy something but atleast at the show you can go hands on and see what is out there for models and that will help you fill out your needs even in the secondary market and honestly after that show you might find great deals on people getting rid of old nice gear for the stuff they just bought. Just my two cents.
Clam plate and SM lazer hand auger in the 6 or 7 inch.I put the clam plate on my dewalt and lazer last year.I wish i had done it sooner,so much nicer.
Staying warm and dry is often overlooked by newcomers. Get some warm, waterproof boots and warm gloves if you don’t already have them. If you aren’t warm and dry you will be miserable no matter how many other tools, toys, gizmos and gadgets you have.
Next is a reliable auger with sharp blades. Sounds like, in your situation, a hand auger and a drill attachment would do the trick.
After that is some sort of fish detector. Whether it’s an old, jerry-rigged circle flasher, a converted open-water graph or a dedicated ice sonar, something to tell if there’s fish below you puts you at a huge advantage psychologically. If your Helix is rated for the cold, you can just rig it on a Genz box ($30) and buy the transducer.
I would also recommend coming to the ice show this year. No purchases are needed it will be tough not to buy something but atleast at the show you can go hands on and see what is out there for models and that will help you fill out your needs even in the secondary market and honestly after that show you might find great deals on people getting rid of old nice gear for the stuff they just bought. Just my two cents.
That is a good idea. Where is the show at?
Looks like some great advice already! One thing I would add if you plan on fishing early ice i would invest in a spud bar and ice picks just as a safety measure. Pretty inexpensive insurance.
If you are looking for a cheap flip over I would start with the basic Clam or Eskimo, depending on your budget the otters are awesome.
Depending on your location you should be able to find a used flasher for 200-250, and that is a good route to start. they really hold their value so typically you should be able to sell it if you decide it isn’t for you.
I good hand auger would be fine al long as you are working with moderate ice, but I found I am much more willing to move around with the power auger. If you have a good Drill I can tell you the k-drill is pretty sweet, I use it almost exclusively.
The biggest thing I tell people is that your outerear is crucial. If you are cold or wet it will not be fun. I recommend you start with your feet and work up, Good boots, good bibs, then the jacket.
I’m hoping to get a blade and just use my DeWalt drill but wouldn’t be against a hand auger if need be.
What model dewalt do you have? Want to make sure has enough power and won’t burn out. I think the standard is at minimum 725 in/lbs if torque. Dcd991 is the common dewalt used. Definitely want a big lithium ion battery to power it.
Just an FYI on the summer units for ice fishing. Most of not all made after 2010 are capable of being used well below freezing. All of the Lowrance HDS units were spec’d at 5-130 degrees Fahrenheit operating temp. I’ve used my HDS 7 Gen2 well below that and the only downside is that the screen refreshes slower. Not a big deal. Otherwise it works really well on the ice plus I get my gps coord on the ice.
I would assume that bird and garmin are in the same range although I couldn’t find any info on the Helix g2 units.
Helix’s are sold as ice bundles right from the factory. They work in the cold too.
My Garmin 73sv plus is also flawless for ice fishing. Absolutely love it. My Bird 45 has been handed down to my wife.
You can pick up a HDS gen2 used for under $300. It’s a pretty high quality unit for the price in my opinion.
For a flasher, I have the Humminbird Ice-35. It’s just your standard flasher, it gets the job done. Pretty easy on the wallet as well as far as electronics go.
For an auger, I have an ION, but these new Strikemasters really look nice. If you’re on a budget you could go for one of the drill powered ones.
Really appreciate all the advice. Looks like I have a few things to do this fall.
I have a Helix 9 G2.i couldn’t verify if that could be used on the ice or not
yes you can but you may have some software to update. Was reading release notes on a recent Humminbird update and saw something about 9, 10, & 12 units now having that capability as of whatever version. Check hbird’s site.
The question for me would be do I want to use a 9? On the plus side, it’s paid for and you have familiarity. On the down side, space, weight, and most of all battery consumption from a screen that large.
Craiglist a used flasher might be more what you want(vex,marcum, hbird ice). Decision is yours.
you don’t need the software update to fish on the ice…it just adds ice mode – the graph works better than the circular flasher anyway and if he’s used to open water with the helix, why relearn tuning it to the circular flasher view. A majority of the water where he will be fishing is less than 6′ anyway – graph will shine.
Get a 9-12ah (id lean towards a 12) battery for that Helix and you’ll be fine. You can make your own shuttle, here is a post with info https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/lets-see-your-diy-helix-shuttle/ you might want to buy an extra power cable and gimble to make it easier to swap between hardwater and open water.
Here’s the battery you’ll need https://www.walmart.com/ip/UB12120-12V-12AH-Sealed-Lead-Acid-Battery-SLA-250-TT You can go with a lithium for more $$ if you want lighter
Here’s the transducer you need https://fishfinders.factoryoutletstore.com/details/534502/humminbird-xi-9-1521-ice-transducer.html
Your area has some really good deals on used ice shacks – 1 man flipovers for 100-300 that are in good shape. Get on craigslist or facebook marketplace and buy one up. You’ll want to stay light as it is mostly run and gun fishing in your area…with some long walks too. Frabill Recon or Recruit, Clam Scout – Kenai – blazer – legend xl – fish trap, eskimo evo1 or wide 1, shappell fx100 – fx150, etc.
I would buy a new mora or lazer, 6″ and go to town. A majority of the fish you’ll catch up there are perch, gills and crappie – no need for a bigger auger. And that Onalaska ice can get thick, smaller auger = more battery life = more holes/battery = more fish
Get a pair of spikes/ice creepers, good boots, socks, base layer and warm bibs.
Buddy heater, heater/cooker, or mini sunflower on 1lb propane bottle. Island Bait refills 1lb’ers for cheaper than new. Blains Farm and Fleet or Menards will have the heaters cheap/on sale right there in La Crosse
if you need ideas on where to fish just send me a message
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