Ice Shack Questions
Ice Shack Questions
4 of us are planning on building an Ice Shack and we're trying to get a total cost for everything (Licensing, materials, etc.) Can anyone offer up some suggestions as to what we're looking at for an 8x12 shack. Is this too big? Also, does anyone have tips for us when we start building? It's getting that time of year. I seen bucketmouths post with their hut. Looks awesome with the newly renovated door, and even a place for the mail!
Any help is appreciated!
Brandon
Any help is appreciated!
Brandon
- bucketmouth
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Re: Ice Shack Questions
Hi Brandon,Brandon wrote:4 of us are planning on building an Ice Shack and we're trying to get a total cost for everything (Licensing, materials, etc.) Can anyone offer up some suggestions as to what we're looking at for an 8x12 shack. Is this too big? Also, does anyone have tips for us when we start building? It's getting that time of year. I seen bucketmouths post with their hut. Looks awesome with the newly renovated door, and even a place for the mail!
Any help is appreciated!
Brandon
Can't help you out too much with cost as we simply reno'd Bacon's old shack for this year. If you build it that size outta 2X4's I can tell you you're looking at at least $500 for those alone if you shop at a Home Depot (cheaper at a discount lumber place) plus whatever you choose to side and roof it with (ply, OSB, aluminum). Can get quite costly for the size you're looking at but if built right it should last for many years. Be sure to coat it in a few gallons of your favourite colour paint to protect the exterior if you leave it with a wood finish (something that unfortunately has to be done in warmer temps).
Last time I called in for shack numbers from the ministry there was no cost at all to license it. These numbers stay with you season after season and no need to phone for new ones every year.
Also, check online for ice shack plans (even shed plans) if you're not exactly sure how you want to build it. There are many styles of roof to put on, easiest and cheapest being a sloped roof like on ours. Just make sure to shingle or tin it or at the very least staple a tarp up there for added security to not develop a leak.
I'm sure others add to this thread 'cause I know some other members have permanent shacks as well and I'm interested in their ideas for building them too

bucket
- M.T. Livewell
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- Canadian Bacon
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- bucketmouth
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Or if building one on a trailer like I was doing last fall, make sure its rigid enough to be towed down to your local body of water... I found out the hard way on an ex-tent trailer... had to tear down and decided since my (and Float's) hands were so damn cold building in December to go with a simple little 4X8 shackM.T. Livewell wrote:Toying with the notion of building a small one myself.
Best advice I can give ... It is like buying a couch that won't fit through your front door ... Make sure you have a trailer big enough to move it before you build it.![]()
Good luck.
M.T. Livewell



bucket
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Now that'd be fishing in stylebucketmouth wrote:Just buy this one, problem solved!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ice-fish ... 5577QQrdZ1


- Pickerel Boy Senior
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Perfect timing Brandon. I am almost finished building a 8x10 hut. The total cost was around $400.00. License is free, just call the MNR and they will give you a number. I built mine in sections for easier transportation.
If you want to chat more, let me know how I can get in touch with you
Thanks, C'MON WINTER,
If you want to chat more, let me know how I can get in touch with you
Thanks, C'MON WINTER,
One problem. This hut has everything... except holes to fish through!!!bucketmouth wrote:Just buy this one, problem solved!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ice-fish ... 5577QQrdZ1
- franklauzon
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2by3
Hey,
One thing I would suggest is to use 2x3's for the walls, or even the aluminum studs, it's impotant to save on the weight...
2x3's are also much cheaper, and plenty strong.
I have an 8 by 8 that will likely go for sale... Just cannot figure out where to put it, since I wanna fish eveyhwere...
I think I'll just tought it out another year
One thing I would suggest is to use 2x3's for the walls, or even the aluminum studs, it's impotant to save on the weight...
2x3's are also much cheaper, and plenty strong.
I have an 8 by 8 that will likely go for sale... Just cannot figure out where to put it, since I wanna fish eveyhwere...
I think I'll just tought it out another year

- M.T. Livewell
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Well number one, I am picking up my digital camera tomorrow afternoon (ya ya, still in teh stone age with the 35mm), and well It wouldn't be proper to introduce our project till complete.... It will be awesome when it is done. We even have a name picked out for it...haha... believe me, I would like to post pics now too, but graembo and I agreed to wait until we have the finished product.....