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Daddy by day, fisherman at night.
It takes time to make a hole and set up a line while ice fishing. But it’s way more effective if you know where you’ll find your fish, and nothing makes it easier than a good fish finder. Below is our list of best ice-fishing fish finders.
My Top Picks
Cheapest Ice Fishing Fish Finder
- Ice fishing flasher sonar streams with the Garmin app so you can see the live locations.
- Longer battery life for better a more adventurous and successful fishing trip
- Castable fish finder for easy set up and no mounting, or screwing to the boat required
Runner Up Ice Fishing Fish Finder
- Good screen size for anglers to view the contours
- C-Map inland maps help because the locations are already saved
- Ice fishing transducer is on point and can create accurate images
Best Portable Fish Finder For Ice Fishing
- Each scan can map a larger area so anglers can get fishing locations near and far
- Deep scan will help ice fishing goals
- The dual beam sonar helps explore deep and shallow waters
Top 6 Fish Finders for Ice Fishing in 2023
- Garmin Striker Cast – Best Overall Ice Fishing Fish Finder
- Lowrance Elite FS 7 – Advanced Ice Fishing Fish Finder
- Deeper Chirp 2 – Best Portable Ice Fishing Fish Finder
- Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2 – Ice Fishing Fish Finder
- Garmin Striker Vivid 7CV – Ice Fishing Fish Finder
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 – Ice Fishing Fish Finder
The six fish finders reviewed here are the most reliable and accurate while ice fishing. It’s no joke to get stuck in the cold with a poorly performing fish finder. I know because I tried a lot of fish finders, and these ones will give you the least trouble.
#1
Best Overall Ice Fishing Fish Finder
Garmin Striker Cast
- Display Sonar: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Garmin QuickDraw: Yes
- GPS: Yes
Pros
- Ice fishing flasher sonar streams with the Garmin app so you can see the live locations.
- Longer battery life for better a more adventurous and successful fishing trip
- Castable fish finder for easy set up and no mounting, or screwing to the boat required
Cons
- The Wi-Fi on this model is not very reliable for longer distances
- The battery life reduces over time
BUYING ADVICE: It is a good pick because you can rely on the clarity of display and the accurate mapping for greater depths. Ice fishing can be challenging and nobody wants to spend hours looking for the ideal fishing spot. Garmin fish finders are reliable and this model has all the right features to offer.
#2
Advanced Ice Fishing Fish Finder
Lowrance Elite FS 7
- GPS: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Shock Vibration: Yes
- Waterproof: Yes
Pros
- Good screen size for anglers to view the contours
- C-Map inland maps help because the locations are already saved
- Ice fishing transducer is on point and can create accurate images
Cons
- There are too many functions that you might get confused
- Novice anglers might have a problem using this technical device
#3
Best Portable Ice Fishing Fish Finder
Deeper Chirp 2
- Night Fishing: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Castable Transducer: Yes
- Battery Life: Good
Pros
- Each scan can map a larger area so anglers can get fishing locations near and far
- Deep scan will help ice fishing goals
- The dual beam sonar helps explore deep and shallow waters
Cons
- The manual does not cover many of the functions
- Novice anglers might find it hard to cat it in a way that it doesn't cause noise
FEATURES: The Deeper Chirp 2 uses excellent chirp sonar technology to find deep spots in the water. Ice fishing fish finding can be challenging due to the location of fish during the cold months. However, this castable fish finding sonar device will help you locate all of them within a short time because of the high-quality sonar and transducer that can create images on the phone screen.
#4
Deeper Chirp 2 Runner-Up
Deeper Sonar PRO+ 2
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Target Separation: Yes
- Frequencies: Multiple
- Built-in Transducer: Yes
Pros
- Best ice fishing fish finder because of deep imaging
- Will provide clear display
- Has varying frequencies to adjust to different depths
Cons
- The noise and splashes while casting can scare fish away
- The display can show more fish than in reality because of the weak fish identification feature
#5
Garmin Striker Cast Alternative
Garmin Striker Vivid 7CV
- Fish Symbol ID: yes
- QuickDraw Contours: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Display: Good contrasts
Pros
- Portable fish finder for ice fishing means you can carry it anywhere and get fish locations
- QuickDraw Contours can help with understanding the depth and preparing fishing gear accordingly
- Quick scans are helpful in the cold weather
Cons
- Screen loses brightness after some time, and does not work well if used in sunlight
- The ClearVu and other Garmin features do not make ice fishing any easier
#6
Lowrance Elite FS 7 Alternative
Lowrance Hook Reveal 9
- Fish ID: Yes
- Inland Maps: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Transducer: Triple shot
- Big Screen Size: Yes
Pros
- Excellent screen size
- Good ice fishing experience because of the high quality transducer that can scan water depth
- Finding fish will be easier if you have inland maps
Cons
- Some functions are more technical for anglers
- The transducer has a short cable and that might be a problem for ice fishing
FEATURES: The Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 is a big screen that is backed by all the amazing features that Lowrance has to offer. These features make it the best ice fishing fish finder for all anglers. The inland maps of lakes in America are a big advantage for ice fishing fish finders because even if the lake is frozen at the top, the maps can help you understand the underwater structures as well as in any other season.
Ice Fishing Fish Finder Buyer's Guide
The perfect ice fishing fish finder involves considering various factors, from the frequency for deeper scans to the imaging methods for clearer views beneath the ice. It’s also essential to think about the power source, display quality, portability, and ease of use. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together a guide to the best rated fish finders, showcasing the top options that excel in these crucial aspects.
Frequency
Frequency determines the depth that a fish finder can scan. Ice fishing means you need to get deeper into the water because most fish species swim lower in the water body to keep itself warmer. The spots closer to the surface are colder, and they need to reserve their energy during the cold months.
If you use a fish finding device that has higher frequency settings, it will only be a disappointment as there will be no deeper scans. There are not going to be any fishing spots near the surface during winters, and you need a fish finder that gets you the deeper scans. Moreover, for deeper scans the frequency of the device should be lower.
Method of Imaging
Some fish finders have an LED setup with the transducer attached somewhere around or under the boat. However, there are some castable devices that give you the clearer and more comfortable view on the mobile devices that you use every day and find convenient. When you select a fish finder that allows you the convenient view.
More importantly, any ice fishing fish device will have deeper imaging. We call this the down imaging feature that allows anglers to see beneath the boat and the distance of scans should be greater too. Selecting the device that has down imaging as well as side imaging will give you two benefits as you can see vertically down the water column and get horizontal maps as well.
Power Source
Imagine you go out on a cold day and the battery of your ice fishing fish finder dies out after only a couple of hours. Ice fishing can be time consuming and deeper scans need more power too. You would need a fish finder that has a good power source such as rechargeable batteries. A tip we can give all anglers is to carry an extra battery too. Some fish finders have charging cables and you can attach them to the power source on the boat. The purpose is to ensure that the power source is not cut off, and if you can do that, any of these choices will be good.
Display
You may have heard this before and we can mention it again! Any fish finder will fail if it does not display the contours and the depth ranges clearly. The display of any electronic device is the interface and this has to be clear so that you can find the fishing spots clearly.
Anglers will not prefer being on water in the cold while they get a poor display and have to figure it out. Ensure that the ice fishing fish finder you select has an excellent display with color palettes to denote the various depths and fish densities.
Portability
Ice fishing requires a casting fishing rod, and many types of lures. If you are going fishing during the cold months, you would like to keep your hands free for the ice fishing gear rather than keep them busy while trying to look at the fishing spots on the finder device.
A portable fish finder will be an excellent choice because you can carry it easily and do not have to worry about holding it all the time, or wasting time trying to mount it with screws and nuts. Any good ice fishing fish finder will ensure portability.
Multi-Purpose Use
If you are a fishing enthusiast, you would not be limited to ice fishing only. A multi-purpose use fish finder will be one that is suitable for ice fishing from a small boat or a large one. Similarly, it will be good for kayak fishing. Moreover, if you are going trolling or jigging, the ideal fish finder will work in all kinds of water bodies, at all times of the year.
Ease of Use
Have you ever heard anyone say that they want a complicated or hard to use fish finder? No! That is because ease of use is a priority for all fishermen. Ice fishers are no different because they would appreciate a fish finding device that does not take too much time and gives them the results that they want.
Quality
The high quality of display, sonar technology and transducer technology are a must-have feature for any fish finder. If you find the best affordable ice fishing fish finder, it does not mean that you compromise on quality. Select the best cheap ice fishing fish finder that has a good display and all other components are also good in quality. Anglers must remember that a good quality device means excellent quality of results.
Accessories
Many ice fishing fish finders come with an SD card slot but do not have an SD card in the box. Moreover, there are some devices that require you to purchase the accessories. Select a fish finder that comes with a carrying case in which you can out all your accessories. Sometimes, some model come with this carrying case that has all the accessories you will need. However, if it doesn’t then make sure you select another device that offers all that you need.
F.A.Q.
Yes, any fish finder that has a deep scan facility will be a good fish finder. Currently, the angling equipment that all fishermen require does not come specifically for ice fishing. There can be some models that are perfect for all kinds of fishing techniques and all times of the year.
A winter fishing device will give you useful features like portability, good display, deep scans, and even the strong hardware that will not get impacted in the cold season. Any regular fish finder that provides these features can be the best ice fishing fish finder.
Yes, there can be some ice fishing fish finders that are exclusive to this particular kind of fishing. However, these fish finders do not work differently and may even be used for other kinds of fishing styles as well. When you are looking for fish in an icy lake, the only feature that you need more than others is the deep scan. Once your fish finder provides you the imaging for deep areas in the water where fish are during the cold season, everything becomes easier.
As we mentioned earlier, the ice fishing fish finder only has a deeper scanning capacity than any regular fish finder. When you are selecting a good fish finder for cold weather, you can look for one that has all the characteristics mentioned above.
However, regular fish finders are not very different because they have the sonar technology, single, dual or triple beam frequencies, and even an attached display unit. You can select any of the regular fish finders that have a higher deep imaging and you will be good t go for ice fishing adventures.
Ice fishing fish finders are usually castable and come with waterproofing so that they do not get spoiled when exposed to water. Some of the mountable models have a water proof transducer with a water-sensitive LED display. When anglers are going ice fishing, they should choose waterproof fish finders even though ice fishing will not cause any splashes or water on the display unit.
To answer this question, you must observe what a fish finder really does. It is a transducer that sends out waves and as they come back, the sonar converts the collision, distance, and even the object from which the waves reflected back. Moreover, there is going to be a display unit that shows the maps that help locate fish.
If a fish finder can send waves deeper into the water during winter months, it will be easier for anglers to find fish so they can lower their fishing gear accordingly. If a fish finder provides the right kind of depth scanning, then you can use it for ice fishing. However, if the fish finder does not have a lower frequency sonar and a deep scanning feature, then you cannot use that regular fish finder.
My Verdict
I keep several crucial factors in mind. First off, I consider the frequency of the fish finder, opting for lower frequencies that allow me to scan deeper waters during the cold months when fish tend to stay deep to stay warm.
I highly value imaging methods that offer both down and side imaging, providing me with a comprehensive view of what’s happening beneath the ice. It’s crucial to have a reliable power source, so I prefer fish finders with rechargeable batteries, and I always carry a spare for backup.