Most fish finder manufacturers have released at least a few ice fish finders over the years. Each model has its own specifics and includes more or less features and accessories. But nonetheless, all of them offer the circular flasher sonar type, whether it’s LED or LCD-based, and they’re equipped with the proper technology and accessories for fishing on ice and at low temperatures.
On this page, we’re going to put into view the best ice fish fishing finders available in 2021. Evidently, some are older than others, but all of them have benefited so far from an overwhelmingly positive feedback from anglers all over the world. They all have an almost clean 5-star rating on all retailers.
Contents
- 1 Top 10 Ice Fishing Fish Finders
- 2 Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 Ice Bundle
- 3 Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2
- 4 Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N All-Season
- 5 Garmin Panoptix PS22 ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Ice Bundle
- 6 Garmin Striker 4 Plus Ice
- 7 Garmin Striker Cast GPS
- 8 Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Ice Bundle
- 9 Lowrance HOOK2 Ice Fishing All-Season Pack
- 10 Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar
- 11 MarCum LX-7 Ice Fishing Fish Finder
- 12 Short Buying Guide for Ice Fishing Fish Finders
- 13 Final Word
Top 10 Ice Fishing Fish Finders
Fish Finder | Features | Price |
 | - CHIRP sonar | |
 | - Dual Spectrum CHIRP - Transducer: Xi 9 1521 - Internal GPS - AutoChart Live Ice - LCD color display - Portable kit | |
 | - Dual Spectrum CHIRP | |
 | - CHIRP/ClearVü/LiveVü | |
 | - CHIRP Sonar | |
 | - Dual beam sonar | |
 | - CHIRP Sonar | |
 | - Single beam sonar | |
 | - Dual beam sonar | |
 | - Dual beam sonar |
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 Ice Bundle
The Hook Reveal series includes several Lowrance fish finders released in 2020. The Hook Reveal 5
is available as an “ice machine”, including the portable ice fishing kit and the Lowrance ice transducer. For reference, this is the Lowrance part number 000-15541-001.
Sonar
This Lowrance ice fishing bundle includes the Hook Reveal 5 SplitShot control head. This Lowrance fish finder offers two sonar technologies; these are DownScan sonar and standard CHIRP sonar. The unit supports the 50/83/200 kHz frequency channels for the 2D CHIRP sonar, and 455/800 kHz for DownScan. It does not support SideScan, ForwardScan, or LiveSight sonar.
Although the Hook Reveal 5 unit is DownScan capable, this ice bundle does not come with the SplitShot transducer. It only includes the standard Lowrance ice transducer. Therefore, you won’t be able to use DownScan with the fish finder right out of the box. In order to use DownScan, you will have to opt for the SplitShot transducer.
The unit offers the full range of standard sonar settings. The list includes Fish ID, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Split-Zoom, Depth Alarm Fish Alarm, Sonar Recording, Sonar Autotuning, etc. Of course, it has a Circular Flasher view for ice fishing which you can use in split-screen with the 2D view. It also has the FishReveal feature which gives you the possibility to blend the 2D CHIRP sonar with the DownScan sonar in order to view the fish arches next to structure for a better assessment. However, this feature is only available if you will be using a SplitShot transducer.
Transducer
Although the Hook Reveal 5 unit included with this Lowrance ice bundle is a SplitShot unit, the SplitShot transducer is not included. The package comes with the Lowrance ice transducer part number 000-14088-001. This is pretty much a standard, conical ice transducer featuring 8 ft. (2.4 m) of cable and a foam floater. In case you’re wondering, it does not have an internal temperature sensor.
Needless to say, this ice transducer does not support DownScan sonar, only standard sonar. It uses a conical beam with a coverage of 20° @ 200 kHz. Its depth range is 500 ft. (152 m). However, you can always opt for a 50 kHz transducer or a SplitShot transducer.
The Hook Reveal 5 unit is pre-loaded with the U.S. C-MAP basemap for the inland waters. It covers more than 4,000 U.S. lakes with 1-foot contours. However, it provides basic detail. But on the other hand, the unit supports premium charts from C-MAP and Navionics, including Navionics Gold, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, C-MAP Insight Pro, and C-MAP Lake Insight.
As opposed to the older Hook2-5 unit, this one has the Genesis Live feature. This application is similar to the Quickdraw Contours available with most Garmin fish finders. It uses the GPS and the CHIRP sonar to reveal and draw the depth contours on the map. This way, you can create your own custom maps.
Of course, standard internal GPS is also available with this Lowrance unit. It supports corrections from GLONASS, WAAS, MSAS, and EGNOS. It also has GPS speed, can save waypoints, tracks, and routes.
Control Unit Features
The Hook Reveal 5 unit features a very easy to use interface. It does not have touchscreen technology; the navigation through its menus and usage of its applications is done via the keypad on the right side. Its display has a pixel matrix of 800H x 480V. It is a SolarMax display with powerful LED backlight for improved readability in direct sunlight. It is also IPX7 waterproof.
Similar to the older Hook2 units, the Hook Reveal 5 model does not have networking features. It lacks Ethernet or NMEA ports, so it won’t support external GPS, Radar, or auto-pilot units. It also does not have wireless connectivity.
Although the Hook Reveal 5 unit is not networkable, it does have a microSD card slot. It’s actually important to mention here that in order to record depth contours and create custom maps with the Genesis Live application, you will need a blank data card inserted into the unit. The fish finder cannot save the maps in its memory.
Portable Kit
The portable kit included with this Lowrance ice fish finder consists of several elements. First of all, you get the portable bag which is made of durable nylon material. It has several extra pockets which can be very handy. The pack includes the standard mount bracket for the unit which allows you to also install it on a boat. However, it also includes a wider base for extra stability when used on ice. The two small tackleboxes are also included.
The pack also includes a battery, a charger for it, and the foam floater for the ice transducer. The battery should last for at least 10 hours of fishing.
Pros & Cons
Summary
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 Ice Bundle includes the Hook Reveal 5 unit, the Lowrance ice transducer, and the portable ice fishing kit. It’s not a very expensive ice fish finder and also offers the basic range of navigation features. Although it’s an ice machine, it can also be installed and used on a boat especially if paired with a SplitShot transducer.
Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2
The ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 is one of the Humminbird ice fish finder released in 2019 but it is still available 
at the moment. It is a fish finder and chartplotter unit offering an advanced ice fishing digital flasher and a fairly decent range of navigation features. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 410970-1.
Sonar
First of all the Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 does not have structure scanning sonar such as Side Imaging or Down Imaging. It only has the standard CHIRP sonar and supports three main frequencies. These are 50/83/200 kHz.
Since it’s a unit designed for ice fishing, it offers an advanced 1024-segment ice flasher, considerably better than the 526-segment fiber-optic flasher of the ICE-55 model. It offers an excellent target separation of 3/4″. Along with the superior sonar segment number, the flasher also provides plenty of other readings, including Gain, Depth, Range, the diameter of the sonar beam based on depth, Battery Status, Zoom Range, and more. The unit can also offer a temperature reading if the transducer integrates a temperature sensor.
The unit also has Adjustable Sonar Zoom. This application allows you to focus the bottom of the lake or a certain suspended height in the water column for improved target detection. There is a 2X zoom for the flasher, and up to 8X zoom for the 2D sonar view. Plus, it has 6 interference rejection settings (up from 5 that the older G2 version has) for keeping competing sonar signals from cluttering the display of your fish finder.
Transducer
The transducer included with this Humminbird ICE fish finder is the Xi 9 1521. This is an ice transducer featuring 8 ft. (2.4 m) of cable and a stabilizing floater. It offers a High CHIRP range of 130-250 kHz and a beam coverage between 15° and 21°. With this transducer, this Humminbird fish finder is capable of scanning depths up to 400 ft. (122 m).
It’s important to mention, though, that the included Xi 9 1521 transducer does not have an internal temperature sensor. Thus, with this transducer, the unit cannot show water temperature.
The ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 is a chartplotter and offers a fairly decent range of navigation features. To begin with, it has an internal GPS receiver, offers a GPS speed function, as well as a track recording function, a route creation function, and a waypoint saving function.
In terms of charts, the unit is pre-loaded with the standard Humminbird Basemap. This chart platform covers 10,000 U.S. lakes with 1-foot contours, and also provides coverage for some of the U.S. coastal waters with numerous points of interest and other essential information. It also supports LakeMaster, Navionics, and SmartStrike charts.
Another great feature to put on the list here is the AutoChart Live Ice application. This is a bathymetric mapping function similar to the one included with the boat fish finders, but tweaked for ice fishing.
Control Unit Features
The unit features a 5-inch color display with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. Its interface is very easy to use via keypad; the unit does not have touchscreen technology.
One of the newer features vs the older HELIX ICE 5 is the Jig Charge Mode. This application allows you to light up your unit in order to charge your glow-painted lures so you won’t have to use a flashlight or a different device if fishing in low lighting conditions.
Since it’s not a G2N or a G3N unit, the Humminbird 410970-1 does not have networking features such as Ethernet or wireless connectivity. It does have a microSD card slot, though, for chart upgrades, data recording, and data transfer.
Portable Kit
The main element of the portable kit is the case. This case integrates a mount for the unit with a durable handle, two front pins for wrapping the transducer cable, and a special slot for fixing the ice transducer in place. The plastic mount can be removed from the bag.
The bag itself is made of a durable synthetic mesh material. It features two zippers at the front and two side pockets that can come in pretty handy. And finally, the portable kit also includes a 9 Amp Hour battery, and a charger for it, along with the power cables.
Pros & Cons
Summary
The Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 is an ice fish finder and chartplotter. It includes a portable case, the HELIX 5 GPS unit, the ice transducer, a battery, and charger for it. The unit has internal GPS, is pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap and has the AutoChart Live Ice feature for bathymetric mapping.
Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N All-Season
The ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N All-Seasons (411210-1) is a pretty complete 
year-round fish finder kit. It includes an ice transducer and a transom transducer, while the fish finder unit also offers the full range of navigation features.
Sonar
The head unit included with this Humminbird ice bundle is the HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N. As its name suggests, it does not have Side Imaging or Down Imaging, just the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar. It supports three main frequencies, these being 50/83/200 kHz. The CHIRP intervals may differ depending on the transducer used.
Since it’s an ice fish finder, it has an advanced digital circular flasher with 1024 segments for a more detailed view of your jig and the fish attacking it. Along with the sonar segments, the flasher also provides plenty of other readings, including Gain, Depth, Range, the diameter of the sonar beam based on depth, Battery Status, Zoom Range, and more.
Among other features, we can also count 6 interference rejection settings (up from 5 that the older G2 version has) for keeping competing sonar signals from cluttering the display of your fish finder unit and for delivering a clear view of what’s under the ice. Adjustable sonar zoom is also available.
Transducers
The Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N All-Season includes two transducers, the 
Xi 9 1521 and the XNT 9 HW T. The Xi 9 1521 is a single-beam ice transducer. It uses a conical beam with a variable coverage between 15° and 21° and offers a maximum depth capability of 400 ft. (122 m). It has 8 ft. (2.4 m) of cable and a stability floater. It does not have an internal temperature sensor.
The XNT 9 HWT is a regular transducer for mounting on a boat. It comes with a transom mount, it has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and has an internal temperature sensor. It’s a High CHIRP transducer and backs the unit’s Full Mode (150-220 kHz), Wide Mode (140-200 kHz), and Narrow Mode (180-240 kHz). For narrow mode, the beam has a coverage of 25°, while for the other two, the coverage is maximum 42°. For Full Mode it is adjustable. The maximum depth capability of this transducer is 1,200 ft. (365 m).
The HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N fish finder offers a fairly decent range of navigation features as well. First of all, it has a 10 Hz interanl GPS receiver so it can show your position, calculate the speed of your boat, and offers the possibility to plot your track, create routes, and save waypoints. It is pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap platform. These charts cover more than 10,000 U.S. lakes with 1 depth contours and fairly decent detail for the US coastal waters, showing buoys, depth markers, marinas, navigation aids, and more. Of course, the unit is also compatible with charts such as Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, LakeMaster, and SmartStrike fishing charts.
The AutoChart Live Ice feature is also available with the Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N. This is a depth contour recording feature that uses the 2D sonar and GPS data to reveal and draw the depth contours of your lake. It’s also an AC Live version adapted for ice fishing, but can also be used on a boat.
Although it’s a G3N fish finder unit and has extra networking features, the ICE HELIX 411210-1 does not support Radar and AIS units. It does, however, support GPS heading sensors and i-Pilot Link.
Control Unit Features
The included HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N fish finder unit features a 256-color LCD display, with LED backlight and pixel matrix of 800 x 480. The unit is also IPX7 waterproof. Its interface is keypad operated; it does not have touchscreen technology.
As opposed to the older units, this one has a Jig Charge Mode. This gives you the possibility to quickly charge any glow-painted lure.
This fish finder unit is networkable. It offers Ethernet connectivity so it can be interlinked with other units for data transfer, or communicate with various other boat instruments such as external GPS or heading sensors. It also has Bluetooth connectivity. The Bluetooth connection allows you to sync your unit with your smartphone via the Humminbird FishSmart App for software updates, chart downloads from your ChartSelect account, or other data transfer. Plus, you can opt for a Bluetooth RC2 wireless remote control for your unit.
A microSD card slot is also available. Therefore, you can update the unit’s software via microSD card, use different charts from Navionics or LakeMaster, or use a data card for waypoint backups, sonar recording, etc.
Portable Kit
The All-Seasons kit includes quite a few accessories. First of all, you get the portable bag which is made of a durable synthetic mesh material. It features two zippers at the front and two side pockets that can come in pretty handy.
Since it’s a portable fish finder, you get a 9 Amp Hour battery, a charger for it, and all the necessary connectors.
We’ve already mentioned that the XNT 9 HW T features a transom mount, but a suction cup mount is also included. Plus, you also get the classic Gimbal (tilt-swivel) mount for the unit.
Pros & Cons
Summary
The Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N is a pretty complete ice fishing fish finder bundle. It includes the ice transducer and the 2D transducer for boat. The included fish finder unit offers 2D sonar possibilities along with a 1024-segment digital flasher, GPS and the Humminbird Basemaps. Needless to say, the carrying case, battery, mount, and several other accessories are included with it. It’s not one of the most affordable ice fishing bundles, but definitely offers excellent value for the price.
Garmin Panoptix PS22 ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Ice Bundle
The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Panoptix Ice Bundle is one of the most inclusive and most 
performant ice fish finders that you can get in 2021. The pack includes the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv sonar unit and two transducers, the Panoptix PS22, and the standard Garmin ice transducer. The unit is also quite versatile. Not only that it is also a chartplotter, it is also networkable so you can install it on a boat. For reference, this is the Garmin fish finder part number 010-02334-20.
Sonar
The ECHOMAP UHD 73cv unit offers three types of sonar. These are standard CHIRP, ClearVü, and Panoptix LiveVü. The standard CHIRP sonar offers the traditional sonar view. The ClearVü sonar offers photo-like clarity sonar imaging right under the transducer, while the LiveVü sonar, as its name suggests, offers a real-time sonar feed offering the possibility to see the movement of your lures and the fish attacking them.
When it comes to the Panoptix sonar, it can be used as LiveVü Down, and LiveVü Forward, depending on how you set the transducer. The LiveVü Down scans directly under the ice hole while the LiveVü Forward allows you to scan the surroundings. Thus, you won’t have to cut multiple ice holes and move your fish finder from one to the other to scan for fish. One ice hole should be enough as the LiveVü Forward has a range of a few under feet.
The ECHOMAP UHD 73cv supports multiple frequencies, including 55/77/200/260/455/800 kHz. Evidently, the unit offers the UHD ClearVü mode for improved structure scanning, but none of the included transducers supports ClearVü. In order to use Cv, you will have to purchase the GT24UHD transducer separately.
The unit offers multiple standard sonar features and applications. The list includes Fish Symbols, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Sonar Recording, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, Circular Flasher view, and more.
Transducers
As we’ve mentioned above, this Garmin ice fish finder includes the Panoptix PS22 and the GT10HN-IF standard ice transducer. The Panoptix transducer uses an oval sonar beam with an impressive coverage of 120° x 20° and a range of 300 ft. (91 m). It comes with a special barrel mount that allows you to change its position in order to scan either vertically for LiveVü Down, or sideways for LiveVü Forward. A pole mount is also included for this transducer.
The Panoptix PS22 transducer integrates a temperature sensor. It has 13 ft. (4 m) of cable with an Ethernet connector. The sonar head unit also has a special Ethernet port for the Panoptix transducer.
The GT10HN-IF is the classic Garmin ice transducer. It uses the 130-300 kHz CHIRP frequency range and casts a High Narrow CHIRP conical sonar beam. Its coverage is variable, between 8° – 16°, and its maximum depth range is 800 ft. (244 m). This transducer comes with 8 ft. (2.4 m) of cable and an 8-pin connector. It does not have an internal temperature sensor.
The ECHOMAP UHD 73cv unit offers multiple navigation features. To begin with, it is equipped with a 5 Hz GPS receiver which means it can provide position updates 5 times per second. It also has track recording, waypoint creation, and route creation function.
The unit is pre-loaded with the LakeVü g3 chart platform. The LakeVü g3 maps have integrated Navionics data. They cover more than 17,000 U.S. lakes, rivers, and reservoirs with up to 1-foot depth contours. They also make available features such as Depth Range Shading and Shallow Water shading. The unit is also compatible with BlueChart g3, BlueChart g3 Vision, and LakeVü g3 Ultra.
Quickdraw Contours is also a feature available with this Garmin fish finder. This application allows you to reveal and record the depth contours of the lake you are scanning in order to create your own personalized charts. You can also load your Quickdraw Contours charts to the Quickdraw Community to access from anywhere, or download other maps made by different users part of this community. And finally, the unit has the SailAssist page with multiple features but does not support Radar.
Control Unit Features
The ECHOMAP UHD 73cv sonar unit features an LCD display with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It is IPX7 waterproof which essentially means it can withstand incidental water exposure.
The unit has both keypad navigation and touchscreen technology. It basically responds to the same touch commands as any tablet or smartphone, but you can also navigate through its menus and access its functions from the keypad on the right. It has a user-friendly interface; you can customize its homepage with the application combos that you use the most for quick access. It also provides split-screen possibilities for up to four applications per view. For example, you can view the 2D sonar, the CV sonar, your maps, and another application of your choice at the same time.
The unit is networkable. It has NMEA 0183 ports and is NMEA 2000 compatible. It also has wireless connectivity. Therefore, you can sync it with your smartphone via the ActiveCaptain app for software updates, fishing trip planning, map downloads, and accessing the Garmin Quickdraw Community.
A microSD card slot is also available on this Garmin unit. It can be loaded with cards up to 32 GB capacity. Therefore, you can either load it with BlueChart or LakeVü g3 Ultra card or with a blank card for data backup.
Portable Kit
This Garmin ice fishing fish finder comes with a portable kit that includes a carrying bag with mount, battery, and charger. The carrying bag is made of synthetic mesh material featuring two side pockets. The mount is made of heavy-duty ABS material with a handle at the top for the easy handling of the fish finder unit. It also has a grommet for cable management.
The included battery is a 12Ah type that should be able to power your fish finder unit with no problem for at least 12 hours. A charger for the battery is included, along with the necessary power cables.
Of course, the portable kit includes a floater for the GT10HN-IF ice transducer. The Panoptix PS22 comes with its own special transducer.
Pros & Cons
Summary
The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Panoptix Ice Bundle is a complete ice fishing fish finder, including the Panoptix PS22 & GT10HN-IF transducers, and the ice fishing portable kit. The fish finder unit has internal GPS, the LakeVü G3 charts, Quickdraw Contours, and a wide array of other fish finding and navigation features. It’s not one of the most affordable ice fishing systems but definitely has much more to offer than the classic ice flashers.
Garmin Striker 4 Plus Ice
The Striker 4 Plus is one of the models released by Garmin in 2018, but it’s still available in 2021, and still
remains one of the best Garmin fish finders at the moment. This particular version includes the portable kit with the standard transom transducer, but you can always opt for the ice transducer version, or just for the ice transducer.
Sonar
The Garmin Striker 4 Plus only offers traditional CHIRP sonar. It does not have ClearVü or SideVü. It supports three base frequencies, these being 50/77/200 kHz.
The unit itself offers quite a few standard sonar functions. The list includes Fish Symbol ID, A-Scope, Auto Gain, UltraScroll, fish and depth alarm, etc. Evidently, one of the most important functions for ice fishing is the Circular Flasher mode. This sonar view puts the sonar data in a circular depth scale format. The current depth is displayed in the center, but you can also have other readings on the flasher page, such as water temperature, clock, or battery voltage.
Transducer
The Garmin Striker 4 Plus Ice includes the standard dual-beam transducer which supports 77/200 kHz. It’s a plastic transducer with a transom mount, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and an internal temperature sensor. Its connector is a 4-pin type.
The transducer beams offer a coverage of 15° @ 200 kHz and 45° @ 77 kHz. With the included transducer, this Garmin fish finder should be able to scan depths up to 1,600 ft. (487 m) for freshwater, and 750 ft. (228 m) for saltwater.
The Garmin Striker 4 Plus fish finder does not support charts. It is equipped with a basic GPS plotter
which allows you to mark waypoints to return to. Via the GPS system, it can calculate the speed of your boat. It can also show the latitude and longitude coordinates for your waypoints or your location. Since the unit does not support charts, the navigation background of the plotter is a blank sheet. However, you can mark waypoints on it and record your trail. It can store up to 5,000 waypoints.
As opposed to the older Striker 4, this unit is equipped with the Garmin Quickdraw Contours feature. This application gives you the possibility to create your own bathymetric maps with depth contours. However, as we’ve already mentioned, the unit does not have a microSD card reader and you cannot load it with charts like LakeVü or BlueChart.
Control Unit Features
The unit features a color display, 4.3″ in diagonal, with a pixel resolution of 480V x 320H and LED backlight. It is IPX7 waterproof rated. It’s operated via keypad and does not have touchscreen technology.
Since it’s one of the most basic Garmin fish finders, it does not have networking features (no Ethernet ports, no NMEA. It also does not have wireless connectivity like the ECHOMAP models and lacks the microSD card slot. It includes a standard tilt-swivel mount.
Portable Kit
The portable kit that comes with the Striker 4 Plus unit includes quite a few elements. First of all, you get the carrying bag with base and handle, a rechargeable (12 Ah) battery, and a charger for it. The carrying bag is made of synthetic mesh material featuring two side pockets. The mount is made of heavy-duty ABS material with a handle at the top for the easy handling of the unit. It also has a grommet for cable management. The portable kit also includes the foam floater for the transducer.
Pros & Cons
Summary
The Garmin Striker 4 Plus Ice includes the Striker 4 Plus unit, the standard 77/200 kHz ice transducer, and the carrying case with the battery, charger, and foam floater. The fish finder unit also has a basic GPS plotter and the Quickdraw Contours feature but does not support any other charts. It’s an excellent ice fishing kit, and also a year-round fish finder as it can be mounted on a boat, with a transom or in-hull transducer.
Garmin Striker Cast GPS
The Striker Cast GPS is one of the Garmin fish finders released in 2020. It’s not your standard fish finder like 
most of the other units that we’ve covered here, however, it does have a built-in flasher application which makes it a great unit for ice fishing. It’s a castable fish finder similar to the Deeper PRO+. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-02246-02.
Striker Cast App
To begin with, the Garmin Striker Cast GPS fish finder does not come with a display unit so you have to use your smartphone or tablet as a display unit for it. In order to sync your Striker Cast with your phone, first, you will have to create a Garmin account (if you don’t already have one), then download the Garmin Striker App from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
The Striker Cast unit has a broadcasting range of 200 ft. (61 m). Therefore, as long as your phone is within this range, you should be able to see the sonar imaging and the GPS data.
Similar to the ActiveCaptain App, the Striker Cast App links to the Garmin Quickdraw Community. Thus, you can share the bathymetric maps that you have created with Quickdraw Contours with other users, as well as download and use maps created by other users.
It’s important to mention, though, that the app does not have a split-view feature. Therefore, you can only view and use one function at a time, either the sonar or the Quickdraw Contours. However, the app is upgradable, so this feature may be added in future patches.
Sonar features
The Garmin Striker Cast GPS is equipped with a dual-beam internal standard sonar. It does not have ClearVü or SideVü. It supports two frequencies, these being 260/455 kHz. It does not support 50 kHz, or other frequencies.
Evidently, the Striker Cast GPS unit has its transducer built-in as well. It’s a dual-beam transducer and supports both aforementioned frequencies. It casts two oval beams with a coverage of 22° x 63° @ 260 kHz, and 9° x 14° @ 455 kHz. Its maximum depth capability is 150 ft. (45.7 m).
The Striker Cast app makes available several sonar features. The list includes Circular Flasher, A-Scope, Fish Symbol ID, Autogain, and more. Evidently, the Circular Flasher feature is the main reason we’ve selected this Garmin model for our list of best ice fish finder. This puts the sonar data into a circular depth scale indicating depth and water temperature. The default color scheme follows a traditional sonar color palette, in which yellow indicates the strongest return, orange indicates a strong return, red indicates a weaker return, blue indicates the weakest return, and white indicates no return.
The Fish Symbol ID is similar to the other Garmin fish finders. It simply replaces the fish arches with fish icons indicating the depth of each target next to it. Autogain minimizes clutter so you can focus better on fish targets. The A-Scope feature is basically a vertical flasher that indicates instantaneously the range to targets along a color scale.
As its name suggests, the Garmin Striker Cast GPS has a built-in GPS receiver and the Striker Cast App
uses its data with the Quickdraw Contours mapping feature. Therefore, you can create your own bathymetric maps with 1-foot contours.
The app does not offer the possibility to create routes or record tracks (at least not for now). However, you can still create waypoints so you can mark the best fishing spots on your custom maps.
A Depth Range Shading feature is available. Therefore, you can color code the existing depths so you can view them at a glance.
The Striker Cast App cannot work with other maps from Garmin, such as LakeVü or BlueChart, so, technically the Striker Cast fish finder does not support maps. But on the other hand, Navionics maps can be used with most smartphones.
Unit construction and portable kit
The Garmin Striker Cast GPS features a rugged construction with a casing made of durable thermoplastic material. For the GPS version, the top cover is light blue, while for the sonar-only version the top cover is white. It comes with a 16.4 ft. (5 m) tether which you can attach to the unit in order to cast it. However, you can also tie it to a 20+ lb test fishing line with a barrel swivel with a snap.
The unit’s internal battery offers an autonomy of approx. 10 hours. The box does not include a charger but does include a USB cable which you can attach to the unit and to a laptop or a charger. The box also includes a carrying bag.
The unit’s operating temperature is -4° to 140° F (-20° to 60° C). This being said, it can be used for ice fishing with no problem as long as it’s not -4° or below outside.
Pros & Cons
Summary
The Garmin Striker Cast GPS is a castable fish finder that connects to your smart device by creating a WiFi hotspot. It offers 2D sonar, Circular Flasher ice fishing sonar mode, Fish Symbol ID, GPS, Quickdraw Contours, and many other features. It’s a highly portable and versatile device, can be used year-round, from a boat, from the shore, from a bridge, and on ice.
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Ice Bundle
The ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Ice Bundle is one of the Garmin fish finders released in the second part of 2020.
As the title suggests, the bundle includes the ECHOMAP UHD 73cv fish finder and chartplotter unit, but comes with the GT10HN-IF ice transducer and the portable kit for ice fishing.
Sonar
The unit offers standard CHIRP sonar and ClearVü sonar, with the UHD mode for ClearVü. However, with the included ice transducer, you won’t be able to use the ClearVü sonar. In order to use Cv, you’ll need either the GT24UHD transducer, or a transducer that supports ClearVü. The unit also supports Panoptix sonar and can be paired with Panoptix transducers such as the PS22-TR.
This Garmin fish finder supports multiple frequencies including 50/77/83/200 kHz for standard CHIRP and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. Of course, since it’s a UHD unit, if you will also opt for the Cv transducer, you will be able to use the unit’s UHD Cv mode.
Transducer
The included GT10HN-IF transducer is a standard ice fishing model. It uses a single CHIRP frequency in an interval of 130-300 kHz. It casts a conical beam with a variable coverage of 8°-16°. Its maximum depth range is 800 ft. (244 m).
The transducer is plastic-made, featuring 8 ft. (2.4 m) of cable with an 8-pin connector. It does not have an internal temperature sensor. It comes with the foam floater accessory for ice fishing.
Unlike the Striker units, the ECHOMAP UHD 73cv supports charts and has built-in GPS. It comes pre-loaded with the LakeVü g3 maps that cover more than 18,000 US lakes and offer features like Depth Range Shading and Shallow Water Shading. The unit also has Auto Guidance and the Quickdraw Contours features for custom bathymetric mapping.
The SailAssist page is available with this Garmin fish finder as well. It offers functions such as laylines, enhanced wind rose, heading and course-over-ground lines, time to burn before the start, and the race times. Also, the unit supports AIS data, DSC data, and is ActiveCaptain compatible.
The unit can also save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, 100 routes, and 50 tracks. Each track can have up to 50,000 points. Plus, it has Auto Guidance which is a feature that offers the possibility for planning safe routes, showing you the general path and nearby obstacles at a safe depth.
Control Unit Features
The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv features a 7-inch color WVGA display with a pixel matrix of 800H x 480V. It has LED backlight for superior readability at night and in direct sunlight. It has both touchscreen and button navigation. Its waterproof rating is IPX7 which means that it is designed to withstand rain, splashes, or in general, incidental water exposure.
Unlike the Striker models, the ECHOMAP UHD 73cv has networking features such as NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000. It also has WiFi and is compatible with the Garmin ActiveCaptain app. If you install this app on your phone, you can easily download or upload charts, back-up the data in your chartplotter, pre-fish a lake and pre-plan a trip, and more. The unit also has a microSD card slot, so you can upgrade its chart base if you want to either LakeVü g3 Ultra or BlueChart g3 Vision.
Portable Kit
This Garmin ice fish finder comes with the same portable kit as the last year’s ECHOMAP Plus 73cv Ice. This ice fishing kit includes the carrying case and the tilt-swivel mount for the unit. The case is made of synthetic mesh material and has two side pockets. The mount is made of thermoplastic material and has a grommet for cable storage.
Of course, the portable kit includes a battery and a charger for the unit. Plus, a foam floater for the ice transducer is included.
Summary
The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Ice Bundle includes the ECHOMAP UHD 73cv unit which is a networkable unit with built-in WiFi, GPS, and pre-loaded with the LakeVü g3 maps. The system includes the ice transducer GT10HN-IF. The ClearVü transducer is not included, though. Since it’s an ice bundle, the fish finder comes with the portable case, battery, and charger.
Lowrance HOOK2 Ice Fishing All-Season Pack
As its name suggests, the Lowrance HOOK2 Ice Fishing All-Seasons Pack (000-14178-001) is a
portable ice fishing fish finder that can be used year-round, either on ice or on a boat. Along with the fish finder unit, the portable pack comes with quite a bunch of accessories, including two transducers, battery, charger, tackleboxes, and more.
Sonar
First of all, the kit includes the HOOK2-4x fish finder unit, the version that does not have a GPS plotter; it is only a fish finder. It is capable of only one frequency, this being 200 kHz. That’s why it does not have a split-screen mode. But on the other hand, it has a multi-segment flasher function that can be used for ice fishing.
The unit offers Automated Sonar Settings. This feature allows you to spend more time fishing and less time tuning the unit. It actively adjusts the sonar settings as the fishing conditions change. In all, it’s a plug-and-fish depth finder.
The unit offers several useful sonar functions, such as Fish ID, Circular Flasher, Shallow Alarm, Bottom Range, etc.
Transducers
The Lowrance HOOK2 Ice Fishing All-Season Pack includes two transducers, one is for ice fishing, the other is a skimmer-type for use on a boat.
The ice transducer is the part number 000-14088-001. It features 8 ft. (2.4 m) of cable, and a foam floater. This transducer casts a conical beam with a coverage of 20°. Also, its maximum specified depth capability is 500 ft. (152 m).
The boat transducer is pretty much the Lowrance Bullet skimmer. It’s also a single-beam transducer, operating at 200 kHz. Its beam is conical, with a coverage of 40°, and a similar 500 ft. (152 m) depth capability. This transducer has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable.
The pack includes two mounts for the skimmer transducer. One is a transom mount to be fixed on a boat’s hull via screws. The other is a suction cup mount, for improved portability.
Control Unit Features
The Lowrance HOOK2-4x unit has a 4.3-inch display with a pixel resolution of 480H x 272V. It’s a SolarMAX type display designed for a super-bright imaging and great visibility in direct sunlight.
The head unit of this fish finder system is keypad-operated; it does not have multi-touch technology. It’s also not a networkable unit. It does not have Ethernet or NMEA ports and does not have wireless connectivity. It also does not have a microSD or SD card slot like the HOOK Reveal models.
As we’ve mentioned above, the unit does not have a split-screen mode. Therefore, you can either use the flasher sonar, or the regular 2D sonar.
Portable Kit
Lowrance HOOK2 Ice Fishing All-Season Pack includes a generous set of accessories. First of all, 
it includes a portable bag made of durable synthetic material. The bag has multiple pockets that can come in very handy.
In terms of mounts, the pack includes a larger one for ice fishing, and the standard tilt-and-swivel one that allows you to mount the unit on a boat. As opposed to other ice fishing packs that we’ve covered here, the Lowrance one includes two small tackleboxes.
Finally, the pack includes 12V – 7 Ah type a battery and the charger for it. If fully charged, the battery should last for at least 10-12 hours of fishing.
Pros & Cons
Summary
The Lowrance HOOK2 Ice Fishing All-Season Pack includes the HOOK2-4x (no GPS) units, an ice transducer and a skimmer transducer, the carrying case, mounts, battery, and charger, plus two extra tackleboxes. It’s a pretty complete year-round fishing pack, that offers standard (basic) sonar capabilities. It’s also one of the most affordable portable ice fish finder kits available at the moment.
Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar
The Deeper PRO+ is one of the most compact ice fishing fish finders available at the moment. It’s a 
wireless fish finder that uses your iOS or Android smartphone as a receiver unit to deliver the sonar data. It’s castable from the shore and can be used as a year-round fish finder. Also, the PRO+ model has built-in GPS.
Sonar
As we’ve mentioned above, the Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar system does not include a head unit like a standard ice fishing fish finder. It connects to your smartphone (iOS or Android) via WiFi. Actually, the Deeper sonar creates its own WiFi hotspot to which you connect your smartphone.
Of course, in order to use this fish finder, you will have to download the Fish Deeper app from the App Store or Google Play. The app is free. This is a multi-purpose app. Not only that it works as a sonar app, it also offers most features of a standard fish finder and also allows you to create bathymetric maps.
In terms of sonar, the Deeper app offers a standard 2D sonar view, but also a Circular Flasher view. Therefore, you can use your Deeper PRO+ like any other ice fishing fish finder. The flasher view shows depth, water temperature, and the side segments that represent the bottom, fish, vegetation, and other suspended targets. Evidently, if your lure is caught in the beam of the 2D flasher, it will show on the outer ring. Also, the Circular Flasher view can be used in split-screen with the 2D sonar view.
Among other sonar features and functions, we can mention Display Sensitivity, Fish Icons, Color Palette, Sonar Feed Storage (or Sonar Recording), and more.
Transducer
Needless to say, the Deeper PRO+ gadget has a built-in transducer. It is a dual-beam transducer that can use a wide beam for more coverage and a narrow beam for more focus and target clarity. The wide beam has a coverage of 55°, while the narrow beam is 15°. Both beams have a conical shape.
It’s also important to mention here that the Deeper PRO+ sonar has a WiFi range of 330 ft. (100 m), so that’s plenty of coverage whether you cast it from your boat or drop it down from a bridge. Also, the depth capability of the built-in transducer is 260 ft. (80 m).
The Deeper PRO+ Smart fish finder also has a built-in GPS receiver. So, first of all, this allows your GPS-enabled mobile device to show your current location and other GPS-specific data.
Second of all, it enables the device to map your favorite fishing spots by creating bathymetric, depth contour maps even while fishing onshore. Actually, it’s the only fish finder and GPS combo that allows you to create your own custom bathymetric maps from the shore, without the usage of a boat.
All bathymetric maps can be archived and accessed at any time to improve fishing location efficiency. This allows users to examine the bottom conditions of the entire fishing location to determine the best opportunity for an optimum fish bite. Onshore GPS Mode is operating in the same manner as the Boat Mode, but instead of using your smartphones’ GPS (as it is done when operating Boat Mode) the Onshore GPS Mode uses the internal GPS receiver installed into the Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ device.
Deeper PRO+ Construction and Accessories
The whole device is encased in a spherical shell made of durable ABS plastic. The sonar sensors are on the outside, so the beams won’t be impaired in any way. The case has three connection points on the outside into which you can screw the attachment bolts, depending on how you will deploy the gadget (from boat, drop-down from a bridge, or cast from shore with a fishing rod).
Two attachment bolts are included with the device. You’ll only need only one for its use, but the second can come in very handy as a spare.
The top cover of the spherical case can be removed to allow access to the internal connector. This is a micro USB port. A micro USB / USB cable is included with the device. Therefore, you can charge it via cable from a PC or connect it to your smartphone adapter.
Among other accessories included with the Deeper PRO+ fish finder, we can mention a portable bag. This bag is well-padded to protect the device from scratches, especially it outer metallic sonar sensors. It has two tightening strings to keep the device well sealed inside, and an attachment hook to connect it to your belt or tackle bag.
Pros & Cons
Summary
The Deeper PRO+ is one of the most compact fish finder systems. It connects to your smart device by creating a WiFi hotspot and offers 2D sonar, circular flasher ice fishing sonar, GPS, bathymetric map creation, and many other features. It’s a highly portable and versatile device, can be used year-round, from a boat, from the shore, from a bridge, and on ice.
MarCum LX-7 Ice Fishing Fish Finder
The MarCum LX-7 is a dedicated ice fishing fish finder. It is a bit expensive, though, considering that
it doesn’t have any navigation features, and only offers 2D / Flasher sonar possibilities, without structure scanning sonar like the Garmin ECHOMAP 7cv unit. But nonetheless, it still is one of the best ice fish finders available at the moment.
Sonar
The MarCum LX-7 ice fishing fish finder offers dual beam sonar possibilities, but the only specified operating frequency for it is 200 kHz. Therefore, it is not certain whether both beams use the 200 kHz channel, or only 8° one.
In terms of standard sonar features, this fish finder unit pretty much the complete range. First of all, it offers the 2D traditional sonar graph view and the circular sonar mode for ice fishing. They can both be used in split-screen format, along with the vertical zoom display or vertical water column display.
The unit’s circular flasher mode and vertical readings have a pretty neat interface compared to other ice fishing fish finders. The unit makes available a 12-step patented interference rejection for keeping competing sonar signals from cluttering the display of your unit and for delivering a clear view of what’s under the ice.
Among other sonar functions, we can mention Automatic Bottom Lock, Selectable Zoom for 5 ft. (1.5 m), 10 ft. (3 m), 20 ft. (6 m), and 40 ft. (12 m), Dynamic Depth / Range, Sonar Footprint Display, Adjustable Scroll, and Adjust Image Magnifier.
Transducer
The MarCum LX-7 ice fishing fish finder includes a standard ice transducer with an outer urethane shell 
and a conical shape, with 8 ft. (2.4 m) of cable.
The transducer is dual-beam capable. It can cast two conical beams with a coverage of 20°, and respectively 8°. Of course, the system cannot use both beams simultaneously, only one at the time. Its maximum depth can reach 300 ft. (91.4 m).
Control Unit Features
The MarCum LX-7 ice fishing fish finder features an 8-inch LCD display with 4 color palette options and a pixel matrix of 800H x 600V. It also has adjustable LED backlight with a night-vision mode.
The unit does not have networking possibilities. It does not support NMEA networks and does not have Ethernet ports. It also doesn’t support external GPS, AIS units, or other boating instruments. However, it does have a micro USB port on the back so you can connect it to a PC via micro USB / USB cable, in order to upgrade its internal software.
Portable Kit
First of all, the MarCum LX-7 ice fishing fish finder includes a large portable bag, made of durable nylon material. Needless to say, the bag features a carrying handle and side pockets.
The kit includes a portable mount for the unit featuring an extension arm for the transducer. The mount also has a special slot for storing the transducer, while its rear part can accommodate the unit’s battery.
A 12V / 9 Amp battery is included with the unit, along with the charger for it. Plus, the kit also includes a snow shield faceplate.
Pros & Cons
Summary
The MarCum LX-7 is a sonar-only ice fishing fish finder. It includes a portable case, the LX-7 unit, the ice transducer, a battery and a charger for it. The unit makes available an advanced digital ice fishing flasher and the standard 2D CHIRP sonar view, along with a multitude of other features, such as Adjustable Zoom, Interference Rejection, Depth Range, Adjustable Scroll, etc. It’s not exactly one of the most affordable ice fish finders, but definitely offers excellent value for the price.
Short Buying Guide for Ice Fishing Fish Finders
Ice fish finders come in different shapes and sizes, each one offering a specific set of features and accessories. Evidently, not all of them may fit your needs and your budget. So, especially if you’re buying your first ice fish finder, it’s very important to know what you’re paying for.
Therefore, in the next section of this page, we’re going to point out some of the most important aspects with regards to ice fishing fish finders, in order to help you make the right choice.
Brand
When it comes to fish finders, the three major brand names that you should look for first are Humminbird, Garmin, and Lowrance. They’re currently the top fish finder brands, and they offer fish finders and chartplotters of all kinds, for all budgets and needs.
However, in terms of ice fish finders, two other notable brands are Vexilar and MarCum. Our selection of best ice fish finders for 2021 already covers at least one model from each. But just in case you want to dig more, these are pretty much the best brands to look for.
Types of Sonar
All ice fishing fish finders typically have the standard sonar type which relies on at least one frequency. However, the more expensive models also have built-in structure scanning sonar which provides photo-like imaging which you can use in parallel with the 2D sonar. This way, you can interpret better the underwater environment and the placement of the fish in relation to structure.
Structure scanning sonar is typically available in two forms: down scanning and side-scanning. For the down scanning sonar, the transducer casts one sonar beam directly down. For side-scanning sonar, the transducer typically casts two beams, one on each side.
Each fish finder brand has specific terms for their structure scanning sonar. For example, Garmin calls it “ClearVü” and “SideVü”, Humminbird calls it “Down Imaging” and “Side Imaging”, while Lowrance calls it “DownScan” and SideScan”.
In the past few years, newer and more performant technologies have been developed. For example, Garmin has the LiveVü sonar, and already offers ice fishing fish finders with Panoptix LiveVü transducers. These are considerably more expensive, but do offer a live sonar feed. You can actually see the fish attacking your lures.
CHIRP sonar technology is also an important aspect to look for. Usually, the fish finders that have CHIRP sonar offer a better target separation and fish detection. That’s because the sonar echo covers an entire range of frequencies, not only one frequency.
So, as a small conclusion here, the more types of sonar a unit has, the more expensive it will be. However, in most cases, you can rely with no problem only on the classic 2D single-beam sonar, so other sonar technologies may simply be overkill.
Supported frequencies
For ice fishing, it’s not that important that your fish finder supports multiple sonar frequencies. However, if it does, it’s a plus. That’s because it will allow you to alternate different sonar beamwidths for more coverage, or more focus, and greater depth scanning. Of course, the more frequencies supported, the higher the price of that particular unit.
Most ice fishing fish finders use the 200 kHz channel which should be enough for ice fishing on a lake. Most transducers that use this frequency channel, should be able to provide a depth capability of at least 200 ft. (61 m) which is more than enough for lake fishing. But in case you’ll ever want to mount your unit on a boat and use it off-shore in blue waters, 50 kHz capabilities or at least 83 kHz capabilities can be a plus.
Another pretty important aspect to mention here regards the dual-frequency capability. Some units allow you to use two frequencies simultaneously and observe the returns in split-screen. Therefore, you can use both a narrow beam and a wide beam at the same time which can be quite a plus.
Display Type
In terms of display, there are two types of ice fishing fish finders, the ones with an optic fiber or LED flasher-type display, and the ones with an LCD display. The flasher-type units are typically fish finders only. They are dedicated ice fish finder systems and don’t offer many other features.
Conversely, the units that have an LCD display, not only that make available a virtual circular flasher, they also allow you to use this flasher view in split-screen with the standard 2D view. Also, many of them offer many other 2D sonar features and functions, as well as navigation features.
Included Transducer and Transducer Compatibility
First of all, whenever you purchase a fish finder, it’s pretty important to opt for one that comes with its own transducer. This way, you can be sure that you have a usable fish finder out of the box. Also, you won’t experience any incompatibility issues. The transducer provided with a certain head unit is always compatible with that particular unit.
Most ice fish finder bundles include at least one basic ice transducer. But just in case, before purchasing one, always double-check if the transducer is included.
Transducer compatibility should be the second on the list here. It’s quite a plus that a certain unit included with an ice fishing fish finder pack is compatible with multiple transducers. For example, the Garmin ECHOMAP units that we’ve pointed out above, support several transducer models. Therefore, not only that you can use them on ice, with a different transducer, you can also use them on a kayak or boat, for summer lake fishing, or off-shore fishing.
Navigation features are not exactly a necessity for ice fishing fish finders and ice fishing in general. That’s because in most cases you’ll know exactly where you are, and won’t cover more than a mile, even if you move a lot on the ice. Also, a unit that has GPS and a pre-loaded chart base typically costs at least $100 more than a similar one without. However, if you plan to use your fish finder year-round and on your boat, navigation features can come in handy.
Networking Features
Similar to navigation features, these aren’t necessary for ice fishing fish finders. But once more, if you will ever want to use your unit on a boat, Ethernet, NMEA support and wireless connectivity are a plus. Of course, these increase the overall price of the unit.
Included Accessories
As we’ve mentioned above, each ice fishing bundle includes a certain amount of accessories. Needless to say, the most important ones are the battery for the fish finder unit, the charger for the battery, the portable case or bag, and the ice fishing mount for the unit which should have a flat bottom. Always make sure that your ice fish finder includes these. Any other accessories like tackleboxes, extra transducers, and transducer mounts, unit covers, adapter cables etc, are also welcome, but not entirely necessary.
Final Word
The ice fishing fish finders that we’ve covered here are some of the best available in 2021, at least for the moment. Our top 10 covers models for all budgets and needs. They’re all portable, they include all the necessary accessories and features for ice fishing. Each one comes with at least one transducer, portable case, and battery. They all offer excellent value for the price, and so far, they’ve gathered the best user feedback.