Best Ice Fishing Fish Finders – Comparison Included

Not everyone knows what it means to be among the frozen chosen few who sit out on the ice fishing in the dead of winter. The amount of effort put forth to go out in somewhat miserable conditions, all for a labor of love, might be a bit overwhelming to some. I mean, wouldn't life just be simpler if fish were always easy to find and catch in fair weather and sunny days?

But life does not work that way, and to be honest we as anglers would not want it any other way—and anything we can do to make our lives easier will, in turn, make our fishing more productive. After all, we go fishing to catch fish, and in order to land them we need to find them, which is a lot harder when all you can see is the snow and ice around you. To alleviate this problem, we might decide to invest in a fish finder that works for us for ice fishing.

There are so many brands boasting so many gadgets and add-ons  that it’s hard to even know where to begin—but fret not, I have complied a list of the best ice fishing fish finders to get you started. As usual, I am going to show you the more modestly priced units to get you out there and slaying the fish, and as your needs and budget evolve, you might want to look at the more advanced options. So here are 10 of the best fish finders to help you find the unit you need, no matter how much you want to invest.

9 Best Ice Fishing Fish Finders - Comparisons

Best Ice Fishing Fish Finders - Reviews

Getting out there and getting on the fish is what we all want, so let’s get you out there as easily and inexpensively as possible. This portable fish finder from Venterior is a perfect choice for ice fishing anglers getting started. It is easy to use, just simply brush away the snow and set the sensor down. See some fish? Cut a hole and drop the sensor in the water to find out for sure. It works as a general fish finder, which means you are not going to know the size and if there are groups of fish together, but that’s not that big a problem as long as you are catching fish, am I right? This unit works well as a depth finder as well, so you will know when you’ve found the right hole you remembered using last year.

This fish finder comes with a 25ft cable so you can monitor the fish outside of your shelter where it’s cozy and warm. This fish finder is a great choice to get you started, and if for some reason you decide ice fishing is not for you, you are not out that much money.

Fish finders work by the sonar sending back information as it bounces off its target. In our case the target is fish, but often there is a delay with the signal and we need to know what is going on below us NOW, not seconds ago. With the FishTrax 1C model, you will have the ability to see in real time what is going on below you. This will give you data quickly and accurately so you can immediately make the adjustments you need to hook into that musky.

The FishTrax has a lot of accessories and add-ons as well, making this unit versatile and useful for you even when the ice melts and it’s time to hit the water. The battery life, however, is not ideal, but keep it fed with fresh batteries and this fish finder will work great.

If you are looking for a good name in fish/depth finder technology, then look no further than Garmin. The Striker will get the job done and has a lot to offer for a good and affordable price. The unit comes standard with ice transducers and can also come equipped with flasher technology with A-Scope, which will give you real-time data and information. Garmin also make a good GPS and have included one in this fish finder, which is great for marking where the honey holes are for the next season.

While it’s a powerful addition, the GPS could be a little more user friendly. However, as a fish and depth finder, the Striker is hard to beat. Being able to mark those spots for memory is great, but having a map would make navigation a little easier.

Also Read: Best Fish Finders Under $500 – Unbiased Reviews & Buying Guide

Sticking with a true winner and going with Garmin again, the Striker 4 with the added portable kit is a great improvement over the previous model. When they say portable they mean portable, the battery stows easily inside the bag. Simply drop the transducer below the ice and start getting back that vital data you need in order to get on the fish. The returns are clear and easy to read and come across well on the LCD screen. The real-time information given from the flasher takes out the guesswork.

This is a strong tool, and could be a perfect choice for the seasoned veteran looking to get an edge. Just like the other Striker model, this unit also comes with a GPS but not with a map, so you can mark where to go, but it can be difficult to pinpoint without any reference like a map. 

Another great option and a trusted name for fish finders is Lowrance. Their all-season angler portable fish finder is a high speed and low drag, getting the job done regardless of the temperature. Get an accurate depth reading before cutting a hole in the ice with technology allowing you to see your jig and fish below the ice in near-real time, putting you right where you need to be so you get the hook up with the fish of a lifetime.

The price, of course, reflects the features and power this unit has on board. Some customers have reported that for some reason one of the modes can give back false readings in murky water, but that is generally not a problem for ice fishing. Also, it’s been noticed that the temperature readings seem to be slightly off. All in all, this fish finder is a powerful unit that gives you an accurate understanding of what is going on below the ice.

If you are looking for one of the best flashers out there and really a flasher only, then this fish finder by Vexilar can be a perfect choice for you. It has a simple and easy-to-use design as well as a rugged exterior that is designed to take a pounding. With a battery life lasting nearly an entire weekend on one charge, you can even loan this out to your friends without worry. The display is simple and easy to use, so the time spent monitoring it will be almost as fun as catching the fish. It is hard to find anything wrong with this unit, it is truly a must-have for all ice anglers.

The one downside is not having a super futuristic display with lots of colorful readings and cute pictures. It’s pretty bare-bones, but what it does is powerful. This ice flasher is for the purist and will increase your daily harvest for sure. 

Also Read: Best Fishfinder GPS Combos under $1000

I mentioned Deeper’s Smart radar before and while it’s a great unit, the Pro model gives you those same features with added advantages and advances in technology. This powerful sonar will give you the ability to mark anything up to 0.5in-sized bodies in a water up to the depth of 260ft, giving you a clear advantage over mother nature. With the ice fishing mode being able to penetrate ice up and including 4+ feet in some cases. The added bonus of course is broadcasting to your tablet or smart phone without needing a signal or Wi-Fi connection.

A flasher would be nice, but being able to keep an eye on the conditions below the water from the comfort of a shack is also pretty nice. If you prefer to be right with your rod working it in the hole, then this fish finder may not be for you. 

Hummingbird is about as top of the line as you can get with fish finders—they have decades of experience and reputation, and it shows with their Helix model. Being able to see the screen can be challenging, and the no-glare LCD screen makes it really easy on the eyes. The marks are accurate and clear, it penetrates well deep below the surface to give you some of the most accurate readings out there. You will love this unit as it will get you on the fish and will also save you a lot of headaches.

The battery life of this fish finder will keep you out fishing longer, and well into the night. It is easy to set up and operate, which is pretty standard with Hummingbird models. This unit will get you on level with professional anglers. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the future. The Marcum LX-7 is the top standard when it comes to ice fishing. With its crystal clear 8-inch LCD display, this fish finder is so big you will wish it played movies. See what you want and where you want, with user-defined settings allowing you to change what is being displayed for you. Take out the guesswork and see marks with pinpoint accuracy. With a half inch target separation, this bad boy can pinpoint fish within close proximity to each other, letting you know what exactly is going on below you and the ice.

I have already mentioned how important flashers are—well, this puppy will give you an accurate, real-time picture of the entire water column below you. So now you know where the fish are without any question in your mind. This unit is what other fish finders wish they were. If I really had to find something wrong, I would say the case could use a little work, however, it’s only nitpicking—this unit is top of the line. 

Final Thoughts

As you could see, there is a lot out there to get lost in the world of fish finders. For ice fishing, you need specific tools for a specific job. I tried to include an array of options for everyone's budget from simple units that will get you started down to something right out of Starfleet’s inventory for intergalactic space exploration.

I hope this article has given you a good idea and has set you well on your way. So good luck out there, find those fish, and tight lines!

Relevant Resources:

• Best Fish Finder Under $200 - Top Selections by Expert! 
• Best Fish Finder GPS Combo Units – Comparison Included
• Best Fish Finders Under $300 – Buying Guide
• Best Depth Finder Reviews – Top Rated For The Money
• Best Ice Fishing Gloves – Keep Your Hands Warm & Dry