9 Outstanding Fish House RVs for Ice Fishing

What is a fish house camper, and what makes them different from a traditional RV?

A fish house recreational vehicle is a winter-ready travel trailer on hydraulics that lowers and seals to the ice. Once in place, the camper’s floor has portholes you can open and fish through.

The design of a fish house is unique and allows fishing enthusiasts to drop a line during winter while staying warm, fixing meals, and taking naps, all while never leaving the ice. An ice fishing camper is a massive upgrade from the typical ice fishing shanty; better yet, they function beautifully as a warm-weather camper too!

When you own a fish house RV, fishing and camping don’t have to stop when the ice melts. So will these best fish house RVs convince you to start winter camping on the ice? They just might!

Fish House Camper Features and Benefits

The design of a fish house often called a “wheelhouse” or “ice house,” revolves around making an ice fishing expedition as comfortable as possible.

A fish house can be simple, with a few ports, a convertible couch to bed, a wet bath, and a small kitchen. However, fancy wheelhouses will have full kitchens, sleeping quarters for a group of guests, six or more fishing ports, a full bathroom, extra storage, and other amenities that up the comfort and the price tag.

Here are the features that make fish house RVs special:

Adjustable Trailer Axles

An ice house trailer will have distinctive adjustable axles. These axles can lift into a slot in the camper undercarriage so that the trailer box can lower to the surface of the ice while the tires hug the camper’s sides.

The axle mechanism can work by manually cranking a lever or pushing a button to drop or lift the wheelhouse using winches or a hydraulic lift. The bottom edges of the trailer will seal to the ice, which eliminates the swaying of the RV from people moving about inside. Plus, you won’t get cold air drafts blowing into the camper’s interior when you open the ports on the floor.

Lighted Access Ports

Fishing trailers can have up to ten ports on the floor, with tightly-fitted covers that screw out of the holes when you’re ready to fish.

The best fish house will have LED blue lights under the edges of the ports. Blue light is not detectable by fish but allows humans to see the hole and upper expanse of water so that it’s easier to spot fish on the line.

High-quality fish houses are also pre-wired for sonar or underwater cameras so you can monitor conditions and schools of fish under the ice.

Rugged Construction and Materials

A fish house design requires rugged materials that can handle the rigors of travel and winter camping, which means harsh weather conditions and road vibrations aren’t a concern.

Heavy-duty roof trusses can handle deep snow accumulation without buckling. Thicker wall and floor framing provide more room for insulation and a sturdier structure to combat high winds or ice storms.

Along with standing up against winter elements, quality wheelhouse construction should equally handle summer heat and rain so you can use it all year round, increasing its value.

Increased Camper Insulation

An ice fishing camper will have air-tight, high R-value insulation to prevent cold winds from penetrating and overtaxing the RV’s heating and cooling systems.

Many top wheelhouse manufacturers use thick spray foam insulation in the walls, ceiling, and floor. Other brands may use rigid foam board insulation along with traditional fiberglass batting to fill in between tight spaces.

There will be extra insulation on the floor and underbelly to keep feet warm when the trailer sits directly on the ice and to ensure holding tanks and plumbing lines don’t freeze and crack.

Fishing-Specific Storage and Design

Inside most fish house campers, you’ll find long countertops that make it easier to lay out supplies, clean fish, or cut bait during your stay. In addition, storage areas are large enough to hold bulky or long fishing tackle and gear, so staying organized is easier.

How Thick Must Ice Be To Support A Fish House?

Pulling your fish house onto the ice is always a risk if you aren’t sure how much your truck and trailer weigh, along with how much weight the ice can support. The last thing you want is to have everything fall through the ice.

You also need to take into consideration other people and rigs on the ice that add more stress to the ice sheet. As a general guideline, here is a list of how much weight various ice thicknesses can support:

• 4 inches – 200 pounds
• 5 inches – 800 pounds
• 7.5 inches – Passenger car (2 tons)
• 8 inches – Light truck (2-1/2 tons)
• 10 inches – Medium truck (3-1/2 tons)
• 12 inches – Heavy truck (7-8 tons)
• 15 inches – Heavy-duty truck (10 tons)
• 20 inches – 25 tons

Try to stay within a safe range of your tow vehicle and fish house, and also follow other ice fishing guidelines for your state.

The 9 Best Fish House RVs For Ice Fishing

1. Ice Castle Eagle EXT Fish House

Price: Starts at $64,900
Specs:

• Length – 28 feet
• Fishing Holes – 9
• Sleeps up to 7
• GVWR – 11,000 pounds

The Eagle EXT Ice Castle Fish House delivers the ultimate ice-fishing and camping comfort. The trailer floor plan includes a slideout for extra interior space. The amenities and features are top-of-the-line, and once you step inside, it’s clear this fishing camper is worth the investment for both winter and summer RV trips.

Additional standout features:

• Residential-style kitchen
• Full bathroom with shower
• 3 Jack-knife sofas
• 60-inch loft bed with lift
• Wood-look vinyl plank flooring
• 21-foot awning
• Gas fireplace
• Dual axles

Ice Castle Eagle EXT Fish House (Video)

2. Glacier Ice House 17EXP

Price: Starts at $42,000
Specs:

• Length – 17 feet
• Fishing Holes – 6
• Sleeps up to 5
• GVWR – 5,500 pounds

Out of the 9 best house RVs for ice fishing, The Glacier Ice House Trailer 17EXP floorplan tucks a lot of amenities into such a compact trailer. Guests can enjoy a bathroom with a separate shower, a full kitchen, lots of counter space and storage, and flexible sleeping arrangements. The unit is insulated and sealed against winter weather, but it does come pre-wired if you want to add an air conditioner for all-season use.

Additional standout features:

• Lighted ice holes
• Efficient heating system with a forced-air furnace
• Jack-knife sofa, two bunks, and a convertible dinette
• Flip down table
• An extra-strong roof truss system
• 19-foot power awning
• Solid cedar interior walls
• Durable diamond plate trim and kickplates

Glacier Ice House 17EXP (Video)

3. AlumaIce AI824TAH Wheelhouse

Price: Starts at $50,000
Specs:

• Length – 24 feet
• Fishing Holes – 7
• Sleeps up to 6
• GVWR – 7,000 pounds

The AlumaIce AI824TAH fish house RV is another rock-solid camping and fishing trailer big enough for a small family or group. With an aluminum hydraulic tandem axle frame and remote control, you can avoid manually cranking or cables snapping while lowering or raising the wheelhouse. The standard features are impressive, but you’ll need to upgrade if you want a toilet, shower, fridge, awning, or other amenities to make camping more comfortable.

Additional standout features:

• Cedar tongue and groove ceiling and walls
• Spray foam insulation on floor, ceiling, walls
• Lighted fishing holes
• Seamless white composite exterior roof and side panels
• Dual pane tinted windows
• Custom cedar cabinets with LED lighting
• The kitchen has a microwave and a 3-burner stove
• Jack-knife sofa, bunk, and a convertible dinette

AlumaIce AI824TAH Wheelhouse (video)

4. Core Ice 8019ATX RV Package

Price: Starts at $52,500
Specs:

• Length – 22 feet
• Fishing Holes – 4
• Sleeps up to 4
• GVWR – 5,720 pounds

The Core Ice 8019ATX Fish House with the RV package features the super-rugged Intelli-core Structural Composite material. The material covers the entire camper and is lightweight, waterproof, UV-resistant, and won’t rot so that you can enjoy years of carefree fishing and camping trips. While the interior is no-frills, it does offer a highly functional floor plan suitable for small families.

Additional standout features:

• Fully-insulated rear ramp door
• Electric lift rear bed
• High-efficiency Truma furnace
• Bathroom with sink and flushing toilet
• The kitchen includes a microwave, 3-burner stove, sink, oven, and exhaust fan
• Removable dinette
• 4-season water/plumbing system
• Low-profile AC
• Electric brakes, power jacks, and remote-controlled electric lift system

Core Ice 8019ATX RV Package (Video)

5. Yetti Outdoors Grand Escape GE824-DRKF

Price: Starts at $85,000
Specs:

• Length – 24 feet
• Fishing Holes – 8
• Sleeps up to 9
• GVWR – 8,000 pounds

Of the 9 Fish House RVs for ice fishing, The Yetti Grand Escape GE824-DRKF floor plan is ideal for large fishing parties but works equally well for hunting and camping excursions. With dual axles and a hydraulic lift system, setting up and breaking camp is easier than ever. The luxurious interior makes the most of every inch and the fishing ports are nicely separated.

Additional standout features:

• Residential-style kitchen
• Full bathroom with shower
• Three bunks, 60″ queen bed lift, convertible dinette, and jack-knife sofa
• 30,000 BTU forced air furnace
• Cedar tongue and groove walls and ceilings with lacquer finish
• Power awning with LED lights
• Rubber wood-look flooring
• Dual axles, electric brakes, and removable tongue

Yetti Outdoors Grand Escape GE824-DRKF (Video)

6. Forest River Grey Wolf 16GR Fish House

Price: Starts at $36,900
Specs:

• Length – 26.5 feet
• Fishing Holes – 8
• Sleeps up to 5
• GVWR – 5,476 pounds

The Forest River Grey Wolf 16GR fish house is a mid-size trailer with a clever floor plan to make the most of the interior space while fishing and for general camping. Thermopane windows let you take in the view and check the ice and weather conditions from the flip-down bunk and dinette area. There is also a sofa for relaxing while you fish or when you need extra sleeping space.

Additional standout features:

• 35,000 BTU furnace
• Closet with cassette toilet
• Drop-down rod cabinets
• Lighted fishing holes with camera pre-wire
• Front entry door
• Kitchenette with sink, microwave, and cooktop
• Multimedia center
• Troyer Never Fail Lift System

Forest River Grey Wolf 16GR Fish House (Video)

7. Yetti Angler Edition A614 DRK

Price: Starts at $34,500
Specs:

• Length – 16 feet
• Fishing Holes – 6
• Sleeps up to 6
• GVWR – 3,400 pounds

The Yetti Angler Edition A614-DRK is an excellent small fish house with a slim 6.5-feet-wide profile that is towable by many SUVs. The lightweight aluminum framing won’t rust and can withstand rough terrain without failure. The interior space is cozy and features cedar wood plank walls and comfortable seating near the fishing ports.

Additional standout features:

• Kitchen microwave, oven, and cooktop with hood
• One-piece arched fiberglass roof
• 2 jackknife sofas with bunks above
• Extra-large front closet for gear (or cassette toilet)
• Wood-look rubber flooring
• EZ Crank lift system with winch
• 20,000 BTU furnace
• Single axle with electric brakes

Yetti Angler Edition A614 DRK (Video)

8. Ice Castle Traveler Fish House Fifth Wheel

Price: Starts at $74,200
Specs:

• Length – 32 feet
• Fishing Holes – 6
• Sleeps up to 6
• GVWR – 10,750 pounds

The Ice Castle Traveler Fish House is the ultimate choice if you’re looking for a spacious 8-foot-wide ice fishing fifth-wheel with a cedar interior full of high-end amenities. The all-season construction and materials provide comfortable year-round camping opportunities without skimping on the fishing-centered features such as long cabinets, drawers, and countertops for gear storage and prep.

Additional standout features:

• Residential-style kitchen with 110V fridge
• Large bathroom with shower
• Bedroom with slideout, king bed, fireplace, and closets
• 48-inch dinette with lift bed above
• 60-inch bay with cabinets
• 19-foot power awning with LED lights
• 35,000 BTU furnace
• Exterior speakers with lights
• Dual axle hydraulic frame

Ice Castle Traveler Fish House Fifth Wheel (Video)

9. Glacier Ice House 12LE

Price: Starts at $24,900
Specs:

• Length – 12 feet
• Fishing Holes – 4
• Sleeps 2
• GVWR – 2,900 pounds

The Glacier Ice House 12LE features a simple floor plan best for one or two people, with seating and sleeping on the rear bunks. The slim 6.5 ft. width makes it easy to tow and store inside a garage between fishing trips. The wood interior feels like a camping cabin, and you can opt for upgrades to give you the amenities you require.

Additional standout features:

• TV antenna
• Large front closet
• 2-Burner cooktop
• 20,000 BTU furnace
• Netting storage
• LED ice hole lights
• Dual-pane windows
• Hand crank with 1-3/4” strap

Glacier Ice House 12LE (Video)

Fish House Camper Wrap Up

The best fish house RV performs seamlessly for ice fishing adventures while allowing occupants to stay warm, cook, wash up, and sleep comfortably. With many ice fishing trailers offering an optional air conditioner and other standard RV amenities, you can easily take it to campgrounds every season of the year.

We hope you check out the 9 best fish house RVs impressive for ice fishing campers above, and find the perfect “catch!”