The Rundown
Best Overall: Humminbird ICE-35 Three Color Flasher
“Get highly accurate, clear reading and real-time feedback when ice fishing with the Humminbird ICE-35 Three Color Flasher. It is reliable even at a 250-foot depth, giving you the best possible chance at success.”
Most Portable: Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar Fish Finder
“If portability is your priority, nothing can beat the Deeper PRO + Smart Sonar Finder. Its lightweight design that comes with amazing array of features make it the most portable and versatile fish finder on the market today.”
Best Mapping Unit: Garmin Striker 4 with Portable Kit
“Experience top notch technology when going ice fishing with the Garmin Striker 4. It has one of the most excellent mapping features out there, making it ideal for navigation even in large expanses of open water.”
Every year, the annual winter freeze signals the beginning of ice fishing season.
During this exciting time of the year, many northern anglers flock to nearby lakes, in search of the hot fishing action that lies right beneath the ice.
While ice fishing, anglers lean heavily on their selection of gear, to make the most out of every outing, for many anglers, this selection of gear includes an ice fishing fish finder.
Quality ice fishing fish finders allow anglers to determine what lies below the ice and make adjustments to their strategy accordingly.
As a result, one often experiences a far more successful day on the water.




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Table of Contents
Best Ice Fishing Fish Finders (2021 Buying Guide)
1. Humminbird ICE-35 Three Color Flasher
Best Overall: As rich in quality, as it is in features

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KEY FEATURES
- Fiber-optic color display for simplified use
- 200-foot operating range for versatile use
- Adjustable gain settings for improved clarity
If you are currently searching for a flasher unit that provides a high level of definition and is extremely rich in features, then the Humminbird ICE-35 Three Color Flasher should be deserving of your attention. This fish finder features a 3-color fiber optic display, adjustable depth ranges, and a host of magnification options, making it easier than ever to determine what is occurring below the ice’s surface.
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2. Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar Fish Finder
Most Portable: Portable enough for every excursion

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KEY FEATURES
- WIFI hotspot connectivity for integration with any mobile device
- GPS capable for use in multiple mapping functions
- 260-foot operating range for ultimate versatility
If you are currently in search of a lightweight, extremely portable fish finder that will assist you in all of your ice fishing endeavors, then the Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar Fish Finder should be worthy of your attention. This fish finder can be taken along on every adventure, as it weighs only 3.5 ounces, and does not require the use of any cables or batteries.
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3. Garmin Striker 4 with Portable Kit
Best Mapping Unit: Compact, yet capable, in virtually any situation

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KEY FEATURES
- CHIRP sonar for enhanced image clarity
- Handle-equipped carrying case for ultimate portability
- Built-in mapping capabilities for ultimate versatility
The Garmin Striker 4 with Portable Kit should be ideal for those that ice fish heavily, and divide their time among multiple locations during any given winter. This fish finder is designed for the mobile angler and features a handled case, power/data cable, bag, rechargeable battery, and tilt/swivel mount. The case included with this list is of a lined construction, providing an additional layer of protection for your electronics.
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4. HawkEye Fishtrax 1C Fish Finder
Best Budget Sonar Unit: Excellent imaging in the palm of your hand

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KEY FEATURES
- 240-foot depth of detection for ample freshwater coverage
- High-definition color display for enhanced target depiction
- Audible alarm for simplified fish detection
If you are currently searching for a handheld fish finder that offers clarity that is on the same level with top-notch fixed-screen sonar models available on the market, then you will approve of HawkEye Fishtrax 1C Fish Finder. It comes with a VirtuView HD color display screen feature with a very neat LED Backlighting. It can resist glare even in direct sunlight.
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5. Lowrance HOOK² Ice Fishing Fish Finder
Simplest To Use: Refined imaging for the discerning angler

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KEY FEATURES
- Double CHIRP sonar for unlimited image clarity
- Both down and side imaging availability for multi-faceted use
- Simple to navigate interface for ease of use
The Lowrance HOOK² Ice Fishing Fish Finder should be perfect for any angler who are not fans of traditional flasher style sonar units. This fish finder utilizes double CHIRP sonar, in order to provide highly defined images, which can be easily deciphered by every angler. The Hook 2 unit is also available in both down and side imaging formats, making it possible to select the image type that best compliments your individual style of fishing.
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Things to Consider when Buying the Best Ice Fishing Fish Finders
Durability
Quality ice fishing fish finders are more than capable of withstanding extreme cold and inhospitable conditions.
Ice fishing is conducted in extreme weather conditions, with temperatures commonly dropping to around 0-degrees Fahrenheit. In order to stand the test of time, an ice fishing sonar unit must be quite durable, and up to the task at hand.
Weight
A fish finder must be lightweight, to offer substantial appeal to ice fishermen, who must transport their gear across the frozen water.
Ice fishermen are typically required to tote their gear for lengthy distances, to reach their destination. A large, bulky fish finder can make this task relatively difficult to tackle. However, the use of a lightweight alternative can save substantial hassle, and make transport much easier.
Frequency
The frequency of a fish finder plays a pivotal role in determining how such a unit will operate at various depths.
Fish finders come in numerous frequencies, all of which come with their own distinct set of advantages and disadvantages. Higher frequency units tend to be more accurate, but are less effective when used in deep water. Likewise, low-frequency fish finders are capable of excellent detection in deep water but are less accurate in their representation of what lies beneath the ice.
Backlit Display
Some fish finders feature a backlit display, which simplifies viewing under extremely bright, or minimally lit conditions.
When the sun bears down, a sonar unit’s display screen can be difficult to read. Likewise, display viewing can be hampered by periods of low light. A backlit display limits such difficulties and makes it easy to decipher the information depicted on a sonar unit’s display, no matter the conditions at hand.
Power
An angler must put ample thought into how their fish finder will be powered, or else risk facing decreased usage times.
When selecting a battery for use with an ice fishing fish finder, it is important to keep portability in mind. A battery should be large enough to provide your fish finder with sufficient power for sustained use but should be light enough to be carried without much difficulty. Many manufacturers now market ice fishing specific fish finder batteries, that adequately meet both of the above-mentioned needs.
Price
As is common of most electronic products, an angler often gets what they pay for when purchasing a fish finder of any type.
Realistically, most anglers are unable to spend an unlimited amount of money to purchase the most refined sonar unit on the market. However, quality sonar units of one variety or another can be purchased at most any price point. Therefore, it is important to place ample consideration into a sonar unit’s operating characteristics and capabilities, in order to get the most bang for your buck.
Questions & Answers

What are the benefits of Ice Fishing Fish Finders?
The use of an ice fishing fish finder allows anglers to assess all that lies below a lake’s frozen surface. This is of significant value, as ice fishermen are largely unable to view typical signs of fish activity that take place close to the water’s surface. On unfrozen lakes, fish can often be seen striking at schools of baitfish, jumping above the water’s surface, and swimming in the shallows. However, ice fishermen are never presented with this opportunity.
A fish finder provides ice fishermen with intel that they would otherwise not receive, thereby allowing these anglers to make the best possible use of their time. Ice fishing fish finders are also generally compact in design, making it quite easy for anglers to reestablish their efforts elsewhere, should success prove hard to come by.

Ice Fish Finder vs Regular Fish Finder: What’s the difference?
The vast majority of today’s ice fishing fish finders are of the flasher type. Flashers feature an illuminated wheel-style display that alerts to the presence of fish at a particular depth. This differs from the down/side imaging sonar units that are heavily employed on open water. Flashers are used for ice fishing, primarily due to the fact that they do not require the use of solid-state transducers.
Alternatively, a number of anglers have begun using compact, portable fish finders, which utilize handheld displays. Some of these units also possess Bluetooth capabilities and are capable of being paired to an angler’s cell phone.

Do I Need a Waterproof Fish Finder?
When selecting a fish finder for purchase, it is always a great idea to first consider the weather conditions that you anticipate facing. While ice fishing fish finders do not necessarily need to be waterproof, they are operated in extreme temperatures, which are often harsh on electronic devices.
When selecting a sonar unit for ice fishing use, it is important to carefully study a product’s operating temperature range. An ice fishing fish finder must be capable of withstanding temperatures as low as 0-degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
The first step to ice fishing success is locating a promising location to base your efforts. An ice fishing fish finder simplifies this process, by allowing anglers to take stock of all that lies under the ice. Once fish are found in suitable numbers, an angler can get down to the business of catching their limit.
However, not all ice fishing fish finders are created equally. Some fish finders are much more portable than others and feature a far greater number of additional features. The information featured above will guide you in your efforts to locate the best possible sonar unit, to fit your specific needs. With the purchase of a new fish finder and a little luck, you will be pulling fish from below the ice in short order.