Dimensions

• The size of ice fishing shacks varies greatly by the taste and needs of the fishermen using it. A smaller shack is easier to keep warm, and also allows for greater portability for a shack which is temporary. For ice fishermen with a permanent spot for a season a larger shack can be beneficial, with some shacks built large enough to contain bedding and cooking implements to allow for multiple days out on the ice. The most important consideration for a shack is that it is large enough to safely allow pulling a fish out of the water and taking it under control with your desired number of occupants inside.
  
  

Materials

• Light materials are ideal for creating a portable ice fishing shack. You can build a simple shack out of natural elements by bending and tying a frame of sticks, then covering the stick frame with animal hides to keep the heat inside. For a long-term shack, a wooden shack provides a more durable frame that can withstand the rigors of harsh weather.
  
  

Hole

• The hole dug in the floor of your ice shack with an auger is the most vital element as it is the gateway to your fish. When creating a hole in the ice it is important to have a safe and secure cover available so you can quickly cover the hole after pulling a fish through the hole. This not only prevents the fish from escaping when unhooked, but also ensures that nobody falls through the ice, which is highly dangerous.
  
  

Darkness

• Ice fishing in darkness helps improve your spotting in the waters below your shack. When enclosed inside a dark shack, your eyes adjust to the dark. With no light source available from above, as the walls block out the sun, the only illumination comes from the waters below. This has the effect of back-lighting the fish that swim beneath the shack, which makes them stand out starkly.