Setting Up an Otter Ice Shanty for Tournament Ice Fishing

The Otter ice shanty is built around a sled. The sled holds your fishing gear and auger and attaches to an ATV for transport to the fishing hole. Setting up an Otter ice shanty for tournaments requires the same process as a recreational setup. The only difference for ice fishing tournaments lies in the gear and hole restrictions. The portable system is ideal for fishing at different lakes throughout the winter, and it provides an insulated shelter during periods of cold.

Things You'll Need

  • Marking flags
  • Hammer
  • Stakes
  • Auger
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drag the sled to the fishing location and place a marking flag on the ice, if required for the tournament. Remove your auger and fishing gear from the sled and drill your fishing holes in the ice.

    • 2

      Fold the bench seat backrest into the upright position. Locate the two hinges on the sled. The hinges are bolted to two of the four corners. Rotate the sled until the hinge side of the sled is facing the holes. Pull the metal bars in the sled to rotate the hinges and lay the bars near the holes. The hinges rotate as the bars fold out of the sled.

    • 3

      Pull on the bars to extend the frame. The bars have a collapsible design that fits inside the sled and are preassembled to form the shanty's frame. Pull until you hear each connection click into a locked position. Leave the lowest bar on the ground to outline the floor area. Remove the free bar from the sled and slide it into the slot on the back of the sled for the back upright. The free bar is the only one not attached to the hinge.

    • 4

      Lift the top framed section until the base hole aligns with the first hole on the hinge. Place a lock pin through the hinge and hole to hold the frame. Repeat for the following two sections to complete the structural frame.

    • 5

      Adjust the sled position until the floor frame section is positioned over the fishing holes. Drape the cover over the frame with the door positioned in front of the fishing holes. Stake the base of the fabric into the ice.