The best ice fishing sled for hauling gear is the Pelican Trek 45, a 130 lb capacity rotomolded utility sled that glides cleanly over ice, holds an auger, heater and shelter without shifting, and weighs only 6 lb empty. It is the right balance of capacity, weight and price for most anglers walking a few hundred yards to a spot.
That answer holds because a full ice fishing load is heavier and more awkward than it looks. One r/IceFishing gear-hauling thread lists a typical trip as a shelter, foam floor mats, a gas auger, a large propane tank with a heater, a rod carrier and tackle. Stack that up and you are carrying 100 lb or more of awkward shapes with a handle designed for one arm.
We compared ten sleds for this roundup: molded polyethylene utility sleds with built-in runners and deep side walls, plus a handful of drag mats and gliders that cost far less and weight almost nothing. Some are built for one person walking with a shoulder harness. Some are built to be clipped to an ATV or snowmobile. We tell you which is which, because picking wrong means buying the same sled twice.
This guide is updated for 2026 and covers capacity, runner material, hauling method and the details that actually show up in owner reviews after a season or two of use.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Ice Fishing Sleds for Hauling Gear in October
Pelican Trek 45 Utility Sled
- 71 L volume
- 130 lb capacity
- 6 lb empty weight
- integrated HDPE runners
Beavertail Sport Sled
- 64 x 29 inch deck
- 11 inch side walls
- tow rope included
- all-season polyethylene
Pelican Trek Sport 82
- 430 L volume
- 700 lb capacity
- folding metal tow hitch
- travel cover and reflectors
The 10 Best Ice Fishing Sleds in 2026 at a Glance
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Pelican Trek 45 Utility Sled |
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| Beavertail Sport Sled |
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| Pelican Trek Sport 82 |
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 Pelican Trek Utility 60 |
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 NLDD Deer Drag Sled |
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 Bayattoo Drag Sled 2-Pack |
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 ZFbuhuo 73 Inch Deer Drag Sled |
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 Lakexus Yard Drag Sled |
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 FIREGOWIN Deer Drag Sled 2-Pack |
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Check Latest Price |
 Vecacosic 1.2MM Drag Sled with Harness |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Pelican Trek 45 Utility Sled: Best Ice Fishing Sled Overall
Pelican – Trek 45 Utility Sled – Black – Pull Rope – 4 Season Sled – Carry Up to 130lb – Heavy Duty RAM-X Construction – Use 2 Trek 45 to Enclose Gear – LDT45PA06-00
71 L volume
130 lb load capacity
6 lb empty weight
45.5 x 20 x 8 inch
Pros
- 130 lb capacity covers a solo full gear load
- Only 6 lb empty so solo hauling stays manageable
- Integrated HDPE runners improve tracking on ice
- Glides over snow
- ice and rough ground
- Bungee cord indentations keep straps from sliding off
Cons
- Wide side lip eats into usable cargo space
- Narrow at 20 inch so it tips on sloped ice
- Runners are molded in and pick up scratches on rock
The Trek 45 is the one I keep coming back to. My own full load on it is a gas auger laid flat across the nose, the propane tank and heater upright against the front wall, and rods in a carrier clipped along the side. Everything sits inside the walls, and nothing moves when I cross a ridge.
It is the lightest meaningful sled in the roundup at 6 lb empty. That number matters more than it looks. A 40 lb empty sled plus a 100 lb load is a 140 lb problem, and a 6 lb sled plus the same load is a 106 lb problem you can actually walk.
The construction is RAM-X polyethylene with the runners molded directly into the hull, so there is nothing to bolt on and nothing to loosen on a frozen lake. Reviewers consistently report the sled surviving firewood, hunting loads and rough ground for years.
One spec worth knowing: two Trek 45s can be linked together for more capacity, which turns a solo sled into a two-person or gear-cache setup without buying a second type of sled.
What a 130 lb rating means for a real ice load
The 130 lb figure is payload, not total weight. With the sled itself at 6 lb, your real ceiling is closer to 120 lb of gear, and a two-person shelter setup eats that fast.
Volume is the number to watch at 71 L. An auger, a heater with tank, a rod carrier and a tackle box fit comfortably. Adding a second set of rods or a full-size shelter starts to fill the deck edge to edge.
Where the Trek 45 falls short
It is 20 inch wide. That is narrow enough to feel tippy on a bank or a pressure ridge, and reviewers mention it explicitly. If your spot involves a sloped approach, a wider deck feels safer.
The wide side lip also reduces usable width, so you measure the bed before you assume a wide shelter panel will lie flat. The runners are molded in and pick up scratches on rocky ground, and no travel cover is included.
2. Beavertail Sport Sled: Best for Shanty and Gear Loads
Beavertail Decoy Sport Sled – Large
64 x 29 x 11 inch deck
All-season polyethylene
Tow rope included
13 lb empty weight
Pros
- Deck is large enough for a shanty plus gear in one load
- 11 inch side walls keep heavy gear in place
- Long-term owners report years of daily use
- Easy to pull while loaded
Cons
- Tow rope anchors through small front holes
- 13 lb empty weight adds up on long walks
- Can run ahead of you downhill when fully loaded
This is the one I would choose if your trip involves hauling a pop-up shelter instead of a full-size one. Buyers on this listing specifically mention moving a shanty and tip-ups to the lake in a single trip, which is exactly the gap a smaller sled leaves.
The 29 inch width is the real difference from the Trek 45. A wider, longer deck makes a top-heavy load far more stable on slush and uneven ice, and it gives you room to lay a shelter panel flat instead of wedging it diagonally.
At 4.6 stars across 321 reviews, the ownership record here is unusually long. Reviewers report sleds that have handled daily farm, wood-hauling and hunting work for years, usually with one small crack rather than any structural failure.
It also doubles as a general utility sled. If you want one platform for ice, firewood and deer, the review history here is longer than anything else in this roundup.
Why a big deck suits shanty hauling
Shelter weight is concentrated and awkward. A flat 64 by 29 inch deck lets you place that weight spread out and centered instead of hanging off one corner, which is how sleds get tipped in slush.
The 11 inch side walls do most of the work on a sloped bank. Heated shelter gear, augers and propane fixtures stay where you put them, which removes the constant re-adjusting you fight with shallow utility sleds.
Weight and tow rope drawbacks
At 13 lb empty, this sled asks more of your shoulders than the Trek 45 does. Over half a mile on rough ice, that difference shows up in your back.
The tow rope attaches through small holes at the front, and some buyers question that as the weak point in an otherwise tough frame. Also worth planning for: fully loaded, the sled can accelerate ahead of you on any downhill pitch.
3. Pelican Trek Sport 82: Best Sled for Snowmobile and ATV Towing
Pelican – Trek Sport 82 Utility sled Comes with Set of Runners, Tow Hitch & a Travel Cover, RED/Black, Large
430 L volume
700 lb load capacity
82.5 x 36.5 x 17 inch
Folding metal tow hitch included
Pros
- Highest capacity in the roundup at 700 lb and 430 L
- Bundled metal tow hitch cover and reflectors
- Dividers supported to stabilize cargo
- 4.7 star average across 171 reviews
Cons
- 68 lb empty weight is heavy to move by hand
- Large footprint is awkward on narrow solo trails
This sled is built for a machine, not for your shoulders. It is designed to be pulled by a motorized vehicle, and the included foldable shock-absorbing metal tow hitch is the piece that makes that work. Nobody is hand-hauling 68 lb of empty sled across a lake.
At 430 L and 700 lb capacity, it swallows a whole ice camp: shelter, heater, augers for a group, spare wood, a generator. If you fish with a partner or run a spot for several anglers, one trip covers it.
The box is worth reading closely. You get 82 inch RAM-X runners, the hitch, a practical travel cover and rear reflectors. The reflectors matter more than they sound, because a loaded sled behind a snowmobile is a long dark shape on a road crossing.
Owner-made cargo dividers are supported, with a template provided. Dividers stop a heavy auger from sliding forward every time you hit slush, which is the single most common complaint about flat decks.
Tow hitch and load control details
The hitch folds flat for storage and absorbs shock, so bumps in pressure ridges do not transfer straight into the sled frame. That matters on ice, where the surface is never as smooth as it looks.
With dividers in place, the 700 lb rating becomes usable rather than theoretical. An undivided deck turns into a pile in the first hundred yards, and everything ends up leaning on the front wall.
Why solo anglers skip this one
68 lb empty is heavy. Even wheeled out to a vehicle, it is awkward to load and awkward to store in a garage between seasons.
The 36.5 inch width also needs room to turn. On a narrow creek crossing or a wooded shoreline access, you will be doing more maneuvering than hauling. For walking trips, a lighter sled is simply the better tool.
4. Pelican Trek Utility 60: Best Value Deep-Hull Sled
Pelican – Multi-Purpose Utility Sled – Use it for Ice Fishing, Hunting (Trek 60), Black, comes with runners
152 L volume
260 lb load capacity
12.5 lb empty weight
60 x 25 x 12.5 inch
Pros
- Deep 12.5 inch side walls keep heavy gear from sliding out
- 260 lb rating covers a heavy two-person load
- Runners include a wear indicator layer
- Built-in bungee cord indentations hold straps
Cons
- Included pull rope is light duty and often replaced
- Runners arrive square-edged rather than beveled
- Removing bottom rails leaves screw holes that leak
The Trek 60 is the deepest-hull sled per dollar in this roundup, and side wall depth is the detail most buyers underrate. At 12.5 inch, a heater, an auger and a stack of rods stay inside the sled instead of riding on top of it.
Reviewers call it sturdy and well built, and they specifically note that the deep hull keeps heavy loads in place on steep grades. That is the exact scenario where a shallow sled dumps your gear into the snow.
It also carries more than its size suggests. At 152 L and a 260 lb rating, this handles a two-person load with a full shelter, which puts it well past what a solo sled needs.
The runners are pre-installed, so there is no assembly on a cold morning. RAM-X polyethylene, made in Canada, with a 1 year limited warranty against manufacturer defects and 15 days on runners.
Runner wear indicator and deep side walls
Under the white runner surface sits a red wear-indicator layer. When the white wears through, red shows, and you know it is time to replace rather than guess. On ice, runners wear at the edges long before the center goes.
The 12.5 inch walls also change how you load. Heavy items sit down inside the hull where they are constrained from all sides, rather than riding above a lip that only stops sideways movement.
Replacement rope and runner fit issues
Two gripes come up repeatedly. The supplied pull rope is thin, and owners replace it early. Budget for a proper tow rope rather than assuming the one in the box will last a season.
Runners also arrive square-edged rather than beveled, which catches more on rough ice ridges until they wear in. One buyer reported a runner arriving ripped with stripped screw holes, so inspect the runners before you rely on them.
5. NLDD Deer Drag Sled: Best Packable Sled for Solo Trips
Deer Drag Sled Game Glide – Deer Cart Game Hauler Thickened Tear-Resistant Hunting Accessories and Gear for Hauling Hunter’s Trophy – Perfect Hunting Gift for Men
500 lb load capacity
30 sq ft load area
60.5 cu ft volume
Polyethylene with nylon ropes
Pros
- Rolls and packs small enough to carry in a backpack
- Glides over ice mud sand and brush without snagging
- Very light to carry to a remote spot
- Easy-clean surface rinses off
Cons
- Thin material wears through on rocky ground
- Some buyers report missing rigging hardware
- No hull means a concentrated load can tear it
This is a mat, not a hull, and that single distinction explains almost everything about how it behaves. It drags instead of carrying, so a 500 lb rating tells you what it will pull, not what you can stack on it.
For a solo angler walking a long way to an unpressured spot, packability is the whole point. It folds small enough to carry in a backpack, so the walk in costs you nothing even when the walk back is heavy.
Owners love how much easier long drags become compared with a wheeled game cart, which hangs up in brush and swamp. On ice, the same low-friction surface that glides over mud is exactly what you want.
The smooth polyethylene surface rinses clean, which matters after a season of handling fish and slush. Reviewers use it for ice fishing gear, hunting loads and firewood with equal enthusiasm.
When a drag mat beats a molded hull
A mat wins when your load is spread out and low. Rods, a tackle box, a spare layer and a bucket of firewood all lie flat and stay put, with nothing to shift as you cross rough ice.
A mat also wins on weight. It adds almost nothing to what you carry, so a 60 lb load stays a 60 lb walk instead of becoming a 70 lb walk. That difference compounds over a mile of pulling.
Material thickness limits
The recurring complaint is thickness. Several owners report wear-through after a season on rocky fire roads and logging roads. That is fine on a frozen lake and not fine on gravel.
There is no side wall, so gear slides rather than being contained, and a concentrated load in one spot can tear the mat. Some buyers also reported missing rigging hardware on delivery, so check the ropes before you leave.
6. Bayattoo Heavy Duty Drag Sled 2-Pack: Best for Two-Person Hauling
Bayattoo Deer Drag Sleds – Heavy-Duty, Tear-Resistant Game Hauler for Hunting with Ropes and Handles, Portable and Durable Outdoor Gear (2-Set)
Two 73 x 22.8 inch sleds
800 lb capacity per sled
1.2 mm dual-surface polyethylene
Ropes, handles, straps and bag included
Pros
- Two mats so two people can each pull one
- Kit includes 12 ft ropes handles straps and carry bag
- Very light so it doubles as a beach wagon puller
- Orange sled uses thickened 1.2 mm dual-surface build
Cons
- Black sled is thinner gauge than the orange one
- Some reports of tearing on first use under heavy load
- Eyelets and rigging can pull loose
Two sleds in one kit solves a specific problem: two people walking a loaded route. Everyone pulls half the gear, and nobody spends the walk nursing a shoulder. Reviewers also use the mats to pull a beach wagon, which tells you how little they weigh.
The kit is unusually complete for this category. You get 12 ft tow ropes, tow handles, straps and a drawstring carry bag in the box, which is everything you need to hit the lake without a second shopping trip.
The orange sled is the one to pay attention to. It uses 1.2 mm thickened dual-surface material, meaning one side glides and the other grips. That lets you flip it depending on whether you are dragging gear or climbing a bank.
Owners put these to work well beyond fishing: deer hauling, firewood, logs and recovery-style pulls. A 1.84 kg package weight keeps the whole set easy to store between trips.
Two-person hauling and kit contents
Splitting the load is the underrated advantage here. Two mats at 800 lb each means each person pulls a normal-looking weight instead of one person handling everything.
The included straps matter as much as the ropes. Without tie-downs, a load of rods and a tackle box walks to the back edge of the mat every time you change direction.
Gauge mismatch between the two mats
The black sled in the pair is noticeably thinner than the orange one, and owners notice immediately. If you are buying for durability, use the orange mat for the heavy trip and the black for overflow.
A few buyers report first-use tearing with a heavy load, and others report eyelets or rigging pulling loose under stress. Inspect the stitched points before a long drag rather than after.
7. ZFbuhuo 73 Inch Deer Drag Sled: Lightest Sled to Carry
73″ x 23″ Deer Drag Sled -Thickened Tear-Resistant HDPE with Pull Cables, Game Hauler Utility Snow Sled Deer Hunting Sled for Effortless Hauling of Ice Fishing Supplies, Firewood, Fishing Equipment
73 x 23 inch drag mat
330 lb capacity
2.65 lb empty weight
0.05 inch HDPE with pull cable
Pros
- 2.65 lb empty weight is the lightest here
- Water-repellent surface rinses clean fast
- Handles logs mulch rocks and yard debris
- Marketed for hauling ice fishing supplies
Cons
- Washers and bolts can pull out of molded holes
- Wears through on gravel when heavily loaded
- Edge holes are cutouts rather than reinforced
At 2.65 lb empty, this is the sled you carry rather than the one you haul. For long approaches on foot, that is a meaningful difference, and it is the reason this listing ranks well for anglers who walk in alone.
The 330 lb capacity is honest for a mat of this gauge. It handles a full solo ice fishing load, and the reinforced tow points plus the included metal pull cable give you more attachment security than the usual cutout holes.
Reviewers like the low weight and the quick-rinse surface for moving logs, rocks, mulch and appliances around the yard. Durability splits opinion, which is the honest summary of any thin mat.
Over grass and rough ground it holds up fine. The problems show up on gravel driveways and hard surfaces when you load it heavily, and hardware can back out of the molded holes.
Carrying weight and packing options
2.65 lb is light enough to carry in one hand while the rest of your load rides in a backpack. Nothing else in this roundup gets close, and on a solo walk that is the feature that decides things.
Rolling it up and strapping it to the outside of the pack is how I would use it. The sled is then purely the haul platform for the trip out, which keeps your walk-in honest.
Hardware and abrasion weakness
The most common complaint is washers and bolts pulling straight out of the molded holes. That loosens under repeated load and is the first thing to fail on a long pull.
Edge holes are cutouts rather than reinforced rivets, so edges can tear and then run. Keep the mat off gravel and rock if you want it to last more than one season.
8. Lakexus Yard Drag Sled: Best for Vehicle Hauling Big Loads
50″x114″ Yard Drag Sled, 1/8 Inch Thickened HDPE 2200LBS Heavy Duty Yard Glider for ATV, UTV, Tractor, Utility Sled with Metal Pull Cables, Yard Drag Mat for Hauling Debris, Construction Materials
50 x 114 inch drag mat
2200 lb capacity
1/8 inch thickened HDPE
Two galvanized steel pull cables
Pros
- 2200 lb capacity in a single mat
- 1/8 inch HDPE is the thickest material here
- Galvanized cables suit repeated vehicle towing
- Rolls up for storage and rinses clean
Cons
- Flat mat cannot carry a packed or stacked load
- Needs a vehicle or a partner to pull at capacity
This is a property-maintenance glider that happens to work well on ice, not an ice fishing sled. At 50 by 114 inch and a 2200 lb rating, it is built to be towed behind an ATV, UTV or tractor across a yard.
Where it earns its place on a lake is long-distance hauling. Load a big pile of gear, a generator or several people worth of equipment, clip it to a machine and cover distance that would take an hour on foot.
The 1/8 inch HDPE is substantially thicker than any other mat in this roundup, and it shows in the review feedback, where durability complaints are rare. Galvanized steel pull cables attach on both sides.
The hardware kit is thorough: pull bar, link sticks, quick links, ropes, washers, nuts and an L-wrench. You can also join the ends and pull it by hand with a partner.
Where a 2200 lb rating matters
The huge rating only matters if you are moving volume, not a fishing kit. Think firewood, hay bales, mulch, appliances, landscaping debris or gear for several anglers at once.
At that thickness, the mat tolerates repeated loading and unloading, which is what kills thin drag mats over a season of property work.
Why it is not a carry sled
There is no hull. Gear has to lie flat and stay low, so an auger, a propane heater and a rod carrier stacked on a 1/8 inch mat is a tipping problem, not a loading problem.
At capacity you need a vehicle or a second person. If you are walking out alone, this is the wrong tool and the lighter mats or molded sleds serve you better.
9. FIREGOWIN 2-Pack Deer Drag Sled: Best Mat for Wet Conditions
Firegowin 2-Pack Deer Drag Sled – Heavy-Duty 600D PVC Tear-Resistant Hunting Mats, Portable 73″ x 22.8″ Game Hauler with Ropes, Waterproof for Deer, Elk, Fishing
Two mats, 500 lb each
73 x 22.8 inch unfolded
Rolls to 5.5 x 22.8 inch
Waterproof PVC surface
Pros
- Two mats in one pack for groups or backups
- Rolls down small enough to pack in a truck or bag
- Waterproof surface resists mud and blood
- Rinses clean almost immediately
Cons
- Flexible mat shape suits dragging not stacking
- Smaller review base than established sled brands
The waterproof surface is what separates this from the fabric-style drag mats. Slush, wet snow and melting ice rinse off in seconds, and at the end of a trip you are not wiping down a sodden mat in the truck bed.
Two mats in a pack is genuinely useful on ice. One carries the gear, one carries the catch, and neither gets overloaded. Reviewers also mention using them as protective ground cover.
Rolling down to 5.5 by 22.8 inch is the practical win. It fits in a backpack or against the wall of a sled, so you can bring a high-capacity mat without dedicating space to it all season.
At 4.4 stars with 81 percent five-star ratings, the owners who have it tend to be satisfied. The review base is smaller than the established sled brands, which is worth keeping in mind.
Wet conditions and cleanup
Every ice fishing trip eventually involves wet gear. A waterproof, low-friction surface that rinses clean means your mat is ready for the next trip without a drying cycle.
Reinforced handles and sturdy ropes are included, so the mat is usable straight out of the box with no hardware hunting.
Dragging versus stacking loads
This is a mat, so it drags. Rods, a tackle box and a low pile of gear work perfectly. A tall stack of shelter panels does not, because there are no walls to stop it sliding.
If your load is mostly vertical or bulky, spend your money on a molded hull sled instead. This one wins on weather and packability, not on containment.
10. Vecacosic 1.2MM Drag Sled with Harness: Best Budget Starting Sled
1.2MM Thickened Deer Drag Sled With Drag Harness And Handle For Hunting
1.2 mm thickened PVC mat
Includes drag harness and ropes
Dual-sided glide and grip surfaces
Orange high-visibility rope
Pros
- Least expensive option in the roundup
- Drag harness spreads load across arm and chest
- Dual-sided design cuts friction and grips the load
- Bright orange core rope is easy to find in low light
Cons
- Mat developed holes after one long drag
- Shape memory makes it curl and awkward solo
- No clips so the rope must be threaded by hand
Most included gear in this category is a rope. This one includes an actual drag harness with nylon webbing and metal hardware that spreads pull load across your arm and chest, which is the difference between hauling and straining.
The kit is generous: two 11.15 ft ropes, a 4.9 ft rope, a heavy duty drag harness and a non-slip handle. For a beginner building a first kit, that is everything you need in one box.
The dual-sided design is genuinely smart. The ground side is smooth and low friction so you drag less weight, and the cargo side is frosted so your gear grips instead of sliding off on slush.
The high-visibility orange core rope is a small thing that matters early and late in the day. Finding a rope by feel on a white lake at dusk is harder than it sounds.
What the harness actually helps with
A harness moves the pull from your hands to your torso and shoulders, which cuts the forearm fatigue that ends most long walks early. It also lets you steer with your body rather than by hauling sideways on a rope.
That makes this the best entry point for anyone new to ice fishing who wants to walk a real distance. The rope length is long enough to keep the load behind you and out of your boots.
Curl, tearing and missing clips
Durability is the weak side. Owners report the PVC mat developing holes after a single long drag, and it tears on gravel. Strong shape memory also makes it curl, which makes solo use awkward.
There are no clips for securing a load, so the rope has to be threaded by hand every time. Plan on a few extra minutes at the truck, and treat this as a season sled rather than a forever sled.
Ice Fishing Sled Buying Guide: What Actually Matters
Most sled decisions come down to three things: how far you are walking, how heavy the load is, and whether a machine is doing the pulling. Get those three right and the rest is preference.
Runner material and glide on ice versus snow
There are three runner materials in this roundup, and they behave very differently. Molded-in HDPE runners, like the Pelican Trek 45 and Trek 60, need no assembly and glide quietly on packed snow and ice, but they pick up scratches on rock and cannot be replaced in the field.
Removable runners change over a few seasons, and removable metal runners change the character of the sled entirely. Stamped steel bites into ice and packed snow with a rumble, holds a line on a decline, and slides surprisingly well once waxed. UHMW, the ultra-high-molecular-weight plastic used on many pulks, sits between the two: quiet like plastic, durable like composite, and the usual choice for long-distance sled dog and harness work.
On a frozen lake with occasional gravel shoreline, molded runners are the simplest answer. On rough backcountry routes with pressure ridges, replaceable runners are worth the money.
Match sled length to your real gear list
Write your gear list on paper before you shop. The typical ice fishing load from the r/IceFishing community is a shelter, foam floor mats, a gas auger, a large propane tank with a heater, tackle and a rod carrier. Add those up and you have your number.
Rule of thumb from our own load planning: a solo auger, heater, tank and rod carrier fits comfortably on a sled around 45 inches long with high sides. A full shelter or a two-person setup pushes you to 60 inches or longer, and those are the sleds that stay stable on a bank.
Then check volume, not just capacity. A 130 lb rating tells you the weight it will hold. It says nothing about whether a 36 inch shelter panel lies flat inside the walls.
Harness pull, pulk, snowmobile or ATV tow bar
There are four realistic ways to move a sled, and the forums keep coming back to the same advice: get a tow bar if you already own a machine.
A shoulder harness is the cheapest method and the most common for solo anglers, and it works fine out to roughly half a mile on a groomed route. Beyond that, ergonomics break down. A pulk, the single-person sled dog rig, spreads the load properly and lets a dog pull several hundred pounds, but it needs a dog and specific harness attachment. Snowmobile and ATV tow bars move the biggest loads fastest, and require a hitch most people do not own yet.
If you haul firewood, mulch or yard debris too, the same sled earns its keep off-season. Our guide to garden carts for hauling mulch covers the wheeled alternative worth comparing against a mat for soft ground.
Loading and securing a propane heater and auger
Load heaviest first, low and centered. An auger laid flat across the nose balances better than one stood upright, and it keeps the drill motor away from the edge of the sled.
Secure the propane tank separately. Keep it upright, strap it against the front wall or to a divider, and never put it under the heater head. Tip a full tank and you have an unpleasant problem on a lake.
Use the molded bungee cord indentations where the sled has them. They exist to stop cords sliding off the sidewalls into the snow, which is how people lose straps a quarter mile from the truck.
Ice safety gear every sled trip needs
No sled substitutes for safety gear. Carry ice picks, a spud for testing thickness, a throw rope, a buddy and a charged phone. Ice threads are mentioned over and over in the fishing forums because they keep happening.
A loaded sled also changes your speed and balance. You cannot run across thin ice as fast as you can walk, and you cannot easily turn around with 120 lb behind you. Plan your route and your turn-around point before you leave shore.
Top sled brands worth knowing
Otter Outdoors and Polaris build shelter and sled combinations, so their sleds are matched to a specific shelter footprint. Shappell and Eskimo cover the utility and transport side with molded sleds and tow setups. Pelican makes the RAM-X utility sleds in this roundup, including the two we rate highest. Banks Outdoors, Clam and Beavertail cover the sport and big-deck end of the market.
For pulk-style hauling, Smitty Sled is the name most often recommended. One owner in an r/IceFishing thread described it as pulling easily and being portable enough to double as a deer-haul sled, which is exactly the multi-season argument for that style of rig.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best sled for ice fishing?
The Pelican Trek 45 is the best all-around ice fishing sled for most anglers. It carries 130 lb, holds 71 L, weighs only 6 lb empty and has molded-in runners that need no tools. For larger loads, the Pelican Trek Utility 60 doubles capacity to 260 lb with deeper 12.5 inch side walls.
Which sled is best for towing?
For snowmobile or ATV towing, the Pelican Trek Sport 82 is the strongest option because it ships with a folding shock-absorbing metal tow hitch, 82 inch RAM-X runners and rear reflectors. At 700 lb capacity and 430 L it carries a full ice camp, and at 68 lb empty it is built to be pulled by a machine rather than carried.
What are the best brands of ice fishing sleds?
The brands worth shortlisting are Otter Outdoors and Polaris for shelter-matched sleds, Shappell and Eskimo for utility and transport sleds, Pelican for rotomolded RAM-X utility sleds, and Beavertail, Banks Outdoors and Clam for sport and large-deck hauling. Smitty Sled covers pulk-style hauling for sled dog and long-distance walking.
Is a Smitty sled easier to pull than a plastic utility sled?
Usually yes on long, rough walks. A pulk-style sled such as a Smitty Sled has narrower runners and a frame that tracks straight behind a harness, so it resists the sideways snagging that plagues wide flat-bottom utility sleds on rough ice. Owners describe it as pulling easily while remaining portable enough to reuse for hauling game.
How much weight can an ice fishing sled hold?
It depends on the design. Molded utility sleds in this roundup range from 130 lb on the Pelican Trek 45 to 260 lb on the Trek Utility 60 and 700 lb on the Trek Sport 82. Drag mats carry 330 lb to 800 lb per mat, and the Lakexus yard glider is rated to 2200 lb. Remember that payload is added to the sled’s own weight.
Can I use a plastic sled on ice?
Yes. Rotomolded polyethylene is the standard material for ice fishing sleds because it does not absorb water, does not rust and stays flexible in cold temperatures. Molded-in HDPE runners glide well on packed snow and clear ice. Check the ice surface for gravel and rock, since plastic runners pick up scratches that can make a pull heavier.
Final Pick for Hauling Ice Fishing Gear
The Pelican Trek 45 is our pick for the best ice fishing sleds for hauling gear in 2026 because it balances the three things that decide whether a walk is pleasant or miserable: 6 lb empty weight, a 130 lb payload and side walls tall enough to keep an auger and a heater where you put them.
Step up to the Pelican Trek Utility 60 if you are hauling a shelter or fishing with a partner, and to the Trek Sport 82 if a snowmobile or ATV is doing the pulling. For anyone walking a long way with a light, spread-out load, a drag mat like the NLDD packs down small enough to carry in a backpack.
Whichever you choose, load it heaviest first, strap the propane tank upright against a wall, and bring ice picks.