Top new gear for your 2025-26 ice-angling campaign

Outdoor News may earn revenue from products shown on this page by participating in affiliate programs. This comes at no extra cost to you. Click here to learn more.

While there’s always a bunch of new products every year in the ever-growing ice fishing marketplace, some tend to stand out a bit more than others. Such is the case heading into the 2025-26 winter campaign.

The leaders remain at the forefront, offering ice anglers with more options to fish comfortably, more efficiently, and with a level of confidence never before attainable.

To achieve these attributes, here’s a look at some tools you’ll want to take with you on the ice this season in order to up your angling game.

New Hub Shelter from Clam

The new Clam X-1200 sets a standard for durability, warmth, and space on the ice. This hub is built for serious anglers who demand performance in the toughest conditions and need a lot of space.

This premium hub shelter features 900-denier full thermal fabric for maximum heat retention and reduced condensation. With an impressive 188 square feet of fishable space and an extra-tall interior height, the X-1200 offers room for multiple anglers, gear, and heaters without feeling crowded.

Heavy-duty poles and hubs ensure rock-solid stability in high winds, while the Max Entry door system makes getting in and out effortless; even with bulky gear.

Oversized windows, built-in vents, and reinforced corners add comfort and longevity to this all-season workhorse. Designed for quick setup and easy transport, the X-1200 combines strength, space, and convenience for long days on the ice.

www.clamoutdoors.com

StrikeMaster 40V Maven

By definition, Maven means expertise. With more power, speed, and efficiency than any other auger in its class, StrikeMaster has distilled its hardwater expertise into an absolute smooth-operating, long-lasting, light-weight game-changer.

In this case, it’s made of a lightweight aluminum hexagonal shaft and twin serrated stainless-steel Maven blades. Emerging from an unrelenting pursuit of greatness to set a new standard in ice fishing, StrikeMaster’s new Maven Lithium 40V Ice Auger is now the most premium 40V auger on the market.

The Maven guarantees zero resistance, supreme accuracy, and powerful longevity all in a lightweight package. Features include an electric DC brushless motor, planetary gear system, variable speed power button with a deadman safety switch, forward and reverse capability, built-in LED light, ergonomic soft-touch grips, and impact-resistant long filament handles. Plus, it’s equipped with a built-in bubble level and power point to lock the drill unit in place while drilling.

Since the Maven is so smooth while drilling, the battery works less hard and lasts longer on the ice. The 8-inch auger drills 3.6 inches per second or 125 holes/2000-inches on a single charge. The 10-inch auger drills 2.5 inches per second or 90 holes/1440 inches on a single charge. The Maven comes with two Lithium 40V batteries for extra longevity and security.

At 14.5 pounds and 15.5 pounds for the 8- and 10-inch models, this auger is the lightest of its kind, so that anglers can use it all day long without injury or discomfort.

Rapala.com/strikemaster

Clam Heater

Stay warm no matter how cold it gets with the new Clam CH-10000VH Heater, designed specifically for ice anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. This portable unit packs a punch, delivering up to 10,000 BTUs of powerful, fully adjustable heat, which quickly takes the chill out of any shelter, fish house, or outdoor space.

The CH-10000VH Heater is also built with safety and convenience in mind, featuring a tip-over safety switch, low-oxygen shut-off system, and electronic ignition for worry-free operation in extreme conditions.

Its compact, rugged design makes it easy to transport, while the adjustable heat settings let you fine-tune the warmth to your comfort level. The CH-10000VH is perfect for any size of ice shelter, so ice anglers will be able to stay warm on the coldest days out on the ice.

www.clamoutdoors.com

Heat Hog heater

Heat Hog portable propane heaters are available in three models, and with BTU outputs of 4,000, 9,000, and 18,000, these units cater to outdoor enthusiasts needing easy-to-use, reliable heating options for hunting, ice fishing, camping and more.

It’s the only tiltable portable heater on the market, allowing you to direct the heat where needed. Heat Hog heaters run on one-pound propane cylinders or a 20-pound tank, they’re indoor and outdoor safe, and don’t require electricity.

Newly patented features include a warming dock in the back, which allows you to maximize the fuel use of each cylinder and a curved heating plaque that provides a 33% wider heating area than other brands.

www.heathog.com

Humminbird ice unit

Experience ice fishing like never before with Humminbird’s ICE XPLORE + MEGA Live 2 bundles. This unit gives anglers the same real-time forward-facing sonar and intuitive ice-specific tools for unmatched confidence on hard water.

XPLORE’s new Ice Mode, streamlined menus, and blue ice-themed waypoints also simplify the experience, while MEGA Live 2’s real-time zoom and compact pole-mount bracket make it easy to focus on the action around the hole. Flasher and 2D views are also available with the XI 14 HW – Dual Spectrum Chirp XPLORE ICE Transducer (sold separately).

humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com

New Vexilar FLX-18

Vexilar, the leader in ice fishing sonar technology, is launching its new FLX-18 in time for this ice fishing season. It’s the highly anticipated upgrade to the legendary FL-18.

Designed for both seasoned anglers and newcomers alike, the FLX-18 delivers unmatched performance, versatility, and value – all in a modern package.

Key enhancements of the FLX-18 include flat-screen style LED display that delivers a 20% brighter output and a wider viewing angle for easier visibility in all conditions. High and low power settings for optimal signal strength in shallow or deep water.

Six-foot and 12-foot zoom modes for precision target identification near the bottom of the water column, standard range settings from 10 feet to 100 feet, plus a powerful deep-water mode that extends visibility to an impressive 300 feet.

In addition, target ID of less than a ¼-inch provides the most precise jig identification in the flasher industry, and it features a 1000-watt sonar signal output versus 400 watts for the FL-18. The FLX-18 is available on both the Pro Pack II and Genz Pack, paired with a 12-degree ice transducer, making it ready to fish right out of the box.

www.vexilar.com