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Outdoor Living5 min

Building an Ice Fishing Shed Demands Durability

Ice fishing has long been one of the most popular winter pastimes in Canada and the northern U.S. All you need is access to a solidly frozen lake because a flowing river doesn't freeze thick enough. Ice fishers typically sit in simple enclosures that protect them from the elements. These go by interchangeable names like ice shack, ice shanty, fish house or ice-fishing shed. Some enthusiasts are taking things up a notch by building deluxe sheds featuring dining areas, office space and even electricity for TVs and microwaves.

However, most ice-fishing fans still prefer a basic, well-built shed that has a window, bench seat, portable heater and trap doors covering the ice holes. In addition, many ice fishing sheds are built on runners or skis for easy mobility to other spots on the lake. In the winter, anglers can catch the same types of fish they land in summer, including perch, bluegill and walleye.

“We’ve built several ice-fishing sheds in recent years,” says Russ Steinhoff, Jr., sales and design consultant at Tuff Shed in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Durability is the #1 consideration, which is why Steinhoff often recommends products from the LP Outdoor Building Solutions portfolio:

  • LP® ProStruct® Flooring with SmartFinish® offers several key advantages over plywood. It’s exceptionally durable yet has no knots or voids. Plus, it’s specially manufactured to resist fungal decay and termite damage when you move it off-lake in the spring.
  • Believe it or not, an ice-fishing shed can get hot inside on a sunny winter day. But LP® ProStruct® Roof Sheathing with SilverTech® features a rugged radiant barrier that helps to keep the inside cooler and brightens the shed interior for better visibility.
  • Shed walls made with LP® SmartSide® panels, trim and lap siding offer proven durability, plus the warmth and beauty similar to traditional wood.

When you are ready to start mapping an ice-fishing shed of your own, use the LP Outdoor Building Solutions size selector tool and then find a dealer near you.

If you’re interested in building an ice-fishing shed, don’t forget these two safety tips:

  1. Make sure the shed is properly ventilated to release heater fumes
  2. Put reflectors on the shed exterior so that it can be easily seen by passing snowmobiles
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