Last winter I wrote ice fishing wasn’t for everyone and suggested that people should go ice fishing with friends before they spend money on any equipment. Looking back, I should have covered the basic ice fishing equipment and cost for that equipment for those who want to or are considering getting into ice fishing. So, this is what a person should expect to spend on ice fishing.

By winter, most of you will already have a fishing license, but for those who do not, an annual Wisconsin fishing license is $20 for residents and $55 for non-residents. Then a Michigan license cost $26 for residents and an unbelievable $76 for non-residents. This is the basic equipment needed and the average price of that equipment, minus the price of a shanty.

AUGER. A manual auger is around $50 but this price for an auger can jump all the way to $700. ROD/REEL. These combos start at $10 for a very low end, to $100, but you can buy a decent combo for $35 to $45. TIP-UPS, can cost between $6 to $40, so depending on the type you like, expect to pay around $25, but you might need two of these, (more on that in a bit).

SLED. You can either carry your equipment in a bucket or drag it on a sled. A bucket with a top seat, will usually go for $7 to $40 and the drag sleds can run anywhere from $50 to $250. Then an, like the skimmer, tackle, ice picks/rope, and misc. $50. SO, if you wanted to start ice fishing it could be as low as $100, without tip-ups. Then if you bought the top end of everything above, it could cost well over $1000.

I did not cover a shelter/shanty or ice fishing electronics, because a person can go ice fishing without these two items. But, if you want to fish in comfort, add $125 to $1400 for a shanty and then $50 to $150 for a heater. Then, if you think you need a flasher, these can run $200 to $1700.

If you’re still not sure if ice fishing is for you, there are ice fishing bucket kits you can buy for $65 to $80 that have the basic equipment needed. This could save you a lot of money if you decide ice fishing isn’t for you, but again, go ice fishing with friends, before you buy any equipment, to make sure ice fishing is something you enjoy.

REMEMBER ICE IS NEVER THE SAME THICKNESS ON LAKES, BE SAFE AND PLEASE RELEASE WALLEEYS OVER 24 inches.