What is the Best Underwater Camera for Ice Fishing?

Some anglers use fish finders and similar devices to observe underwater surroundings, but others turn to cameras to have a live picture of the situation below the surface.

Most of those portable cameras are small, lightweight, and record really good images.

There are many excellent models, but the problem is, not all of them are good enough to be used under ice when ice fishing. This is why I decided to make a list of those that really work, and won’t cost you a fortune. The best underwater camera for ice fishing is the one that fulfils your needs, so here I will list all of their features so that you can choose the one that meets your requirements.

There are certain features to consider and compare, so I am going to list all of the things you need to check out before you buy a camera. Besides, these little gadgets are cool to take a video of yourself catching a fish too!

In addition to that, I will answer some of the frequently asked questions and clarify any doubts you may have.

So, if you are thinking of buying the best ice fishing camera for the money you are willing to spend, read on!

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How to Choose the Best Underwater Camera for Ice Fishing?

First of all, I want to tell you that “saving” a few dollars and ordering some cheap product will cost you more in the end, because you will have to buy a new one. It has to be waterproof; battery needs to work in very cold conditions, and the image has to be very clear.

So, I would advise you to buy from reputable manufacturers, even if those are different from the ones on this list.

Also, using any kind of popular action cams is not the best idea, because they are missing some features, which will be mentioned below.

But cameras can differ a lot even if they are all good products, so here is what to check before you buy the best ice fishing underwater camera.

MONITOR SIZE

Tiny monitors will not give you images that are precise enough, especially in low light conditions under ice when the image is dark and you really have to try hard to recognize objects. This is one of the reasons why action cams connected to phones don’t work very well.

Majority of ice fishing cameras have displays between 5 and 10 inches. Additionally, you probably don’t want to drop your phone in an ice hole.

IMAGE RESOLUTION

The bigger the better is a rule that can be applied, however, high resolution monitors often use more battery, so check the battery capacity. Again, the better the picture, the better you will see underwater conditions.

BATTERY

Size of the device increases with the size of battery and its capacity; however, it is one of the most important factors in choosing the best product.

Of course, it depends on your needs, and if you go ice fishing for a few hours once a month, you may not need the largest capacity, however, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

The best ones on the market can work more than 10 hours, while entry-level models will last much shorter. In addition to that, very low temperatures influence batteries a lot in a negative way (the same as fishing lines), especially if they are not completely full (I will not bother you with science facts), so always buy good batteries.

STORAGE CPACITY

Some ice fishing cameras have internal memory that is used to save the recordings, to check them later on and see if something significant changed. Again, depending on your needs, this may not be the most important factor, but you should definitely consider it.

CABLE LENGTH

Cable length determines how deep will the camera go, and having a lot of length would be great.

Unfortunately, carrying that around would be impossible, so majority of cameras come with about 15m/45ft 0f cable, although some come with extra length.

PRICE

Some high-end models can cost more than a $1000. If you have the budget, go for it! But some anglers prefer cheaper models, and cheaper doesn’t mean bad. For a couple of hundred dollars, you can get a decent product that will do the job. And it is ideal for beginners who are not even sure do they like using underwater cameras or not.

What is the Best Underwater Camera for Ice Fishing?

Now when you know what to look for, it is time to check out the best ice fishing camera options on the market, which come at a relatively reasonable price.

In the list below, I will mention all of their features (and benefits), together with pros and cons of every model, so that you can make an informed decision if you decide to get one of them.

#1: Eyoyo 1000 TVL 7"

This camera (#ad) is one of the best options for beginners. It comes with a 7-inch screen, which is some medium size in the world of ice fishing cameras.

High-definition camera can capture clear images even in dark conditions. There are 12 infrared lights that can be turned on and off, at your demand. There is a simple switch to control them.

Screen itself has a good quality and a sun visor to help you see it even in the brightest light.

Casing is metal and waterproof, and it looks quite nice. Battery has 4500 mAh, and can work up to 8 hours in ideal conditions, however, when on the ice, it will last a bit shorter.

#2: Eyoyo 1000 TVL 9"

Second one (#ad) on this best ice fishing camera list is a model from the same manufacturer, but with a larger screen. This 9-inch screen can be very useful in various situation, even for those who have some vision difficulties.

Same as the last one, it comes with three different cable lengths (15m, 30m and 50m), but the price is a bit higher.

Majority of the features are the same as in previous model (casing, sun visor, lights…), but this one has one more advantage, except for the size. It comes with a memory card that is able to record 8GB of data.

What strikes me the most, and I consider it to be a disadvantage, is a slightly lower battery capacity, which is 4000 mAh, and with this screen size, it lasts around 4 hours.

#3: Moocor 1000 TVL 4.3"

When talking about what is the best underwater camera for ice fishing, it is impossible to make a list without this one (#ad).

It comes at a very low price, and it is very compact and portable.

Screen is very small, 4.3 inches, but that makes the camera almost a pocket-size, so it is ideal for adventurous anglers who like to walk and camp in remote areas.

High resolution makes this small screen usable even in the strongest light, especially with the sun visor.

Camera is equipped with lights, but those are not as strong as those in previous models. But, to be honest, it makes sense for such small device.

Cable is 15m long, which may be too short for some users, but it would be illogical to have a longer one and increase the size of this portable and small equipment.

The 5000 mAh battery can last quite long, because as you can see, the battery capacity is larger than the one in previously mentioned models, while this device is much smaller. In high temperatures it can work almost 10 hours, but when it is cold, keep in mind that this time will shorten.

#4: Lucky DVR 4.3"

This is also a small model (#ad), with a 4.3-inch screen.

Cool thing about this small device is that you can use a memory card to record images underwater, and you even get a 16GB card with the device. Of course, you can replace it with another one that has higher capacity.

Screen quality is very good, and it is well visible even in the bright sun.

LED lights are present for night-time illumination, but being such a small device, these lights are not extremely bright.

Cable is 20 meters long which is great for a small device like this.

#5: Eyoyo FullHD 7"

This is the third model (#ad) from the same manufacturer on this list. I like these cameras a lot as you can see.

It has a 7-inch display, which is sufficient, and makes the device easily portable. What makes it different form the previous Eyoyo models is that this one can capture full HD images. Camera provides excellent images that are shown on a really good screen. Both upgrades (camera and screen) are excellent and resolution is better than I thought it would be.

Unfortunately, this one has no DVR function, so you can’t record for later.

The 4500 mAh battery is enough to power this device up to 6 hours, although, in real life conditions, it is often less than stated.

#6: Hxey HD 7"

And the last, but not the least is this Hxley camera (#ad).

It comes with a 7-inch screen, which is large enough to observe the details recorded by the camera.

This is the most affordable camera on the list, and besides that, it comes with a cool feature, which is water temperature sensor and depth sensor. It is one of the rare cheap models that have this function.

LED lights are quite strong, so you can illuminate water in the dark to get a better picture. Screen quality is decent.

Battery capacity is 4500 mAh, which is sufficient for around 6 hours in icy conditions (8 hours in warmer temperatures).

FAQs about the Best Underwater Cameras for Ice Fishing:

Now when I listed all the ice fishing cameras, it is time to answer some questions and clear out any doubts you may have about them.

How do Underwater Cameras for Ice Fishing Work?

How do ice fishing cameras work is one of the most frequently asked questions.

Well, it is simple! You lower the camera into the water as deep as you want or as deep as the cable allows you to do, and you observe the underwater life, bottom contours, fish checking out your bait, or whatever else is happening. Fishing under ice is not easy, and seeing what is below the surface can help a lot, especially if you are in the unknown location. It will show you any obstacles that can catch your lures or break the lines.

Images recorded are displayed on the screen that comes with a camera.

Depending on a camera and screen quality, images can be displayed in different qualities. Of course, high-end products are extremely expensive.

How do you Use an Underwater Camera for Ice Fishing?

You do not have to be tech genius to use the camera ...

Most of them have just a few buttons and options so that anyone can learn how to handle them properly.

Just make sure you fully charge the battery before you go out. Setting it up is easy, but knowing how to use it to increase your fishing success has nothing to do with technical knowledge.

I would advise you to drill a few holes, and lower down the camera to observe the surroundings. Check out vegetation, obstacles, identify fish species, and see where the fish are congregating. Choose and present your baits in accordance with the info you get from the camera.

When you present the lure, observe how the fish is behaving and is it even interested in your presentation.

Are Underwater Ice Fishing Cameras Worth it?

Are ice fishing cameras worth it or not?

Well, it depends. If you just want to try ice fishing, or you are doing it a few times a year, then probably not. If you already have fish finder or flasher, you don’t need a simple camera.

But those who want to enjoy ice fishing on a regular basis, improve their skills, identify their mistakes, and learn more about it can greatly benefit from these cameras.

Of course, all of these cameras can be used year-round, not just under the ice. Ice fishing ones are just made in a way that allows them to work properly in extremely low temperatures.

Cameras are very efficient in clear waters, but if the waters are very dark and murky, you may want to consider other devices, like sonars, to show you the underwater world.

Do Underwater Ice Fishing Cameras Scare Fish?

You all know that fish can easily be scared, and that they are really cautions creatures. Even lure splashes can cause them to swim away and ignore your bait.

Do ice fishing cameras scare fish and can they cause fish to move to another location?

The answer depends on how you use it! If you keep it underwater with lights on, and you forcefully lower down or pull up the camera through the water column, you will definitely scare the fish. Otherwise, there is nothing to worry about.

You don’t want fish to see the camera as a potentially threatening object, so be gentle with the movement, use lights just shortly if you have to, and turn them off when you see what you need to see.

How Far Can You See With an Ice Fishing Underwater Camera?

This is one of the frequent questions asked by many anglers, and a frequent argument for “cameras are bad”.

When comparing ice fishing camera vs flasher or ice fishing sonar vs camera, of course, these other devices are capable of showing you greater areas, especially in murky waters. But, advantage of the camera is real-life image.

How far will you see depends on camera quality, screen quality to show you the image, and of course, water clarity. If the water is muddy, even the best camera will be able to show you just a few feet or even less.

It is impossible to answer this question, because it depends on a lot of factors, but good camera in very clear water can clearly record quite far in front of it.

What's Better for Ice Fishing - Flasher, Sonar or Underwater Camera?

Various devices exist that can help you locate fish under ice. So, which one is the best for this job?

Ice fishing camera or sonar is a common dilemma. Sonars will not provide you “real” image, and they actually show you interpretation of recorded data on screen. Good sonars can show wide areas, fish, bottom contours, depth, and much more.

Cameras are excellent when you want to see exactly what is happening, and to observe fish checking your bait. You can clearly see if your bait is too close to some weeds or something that can get it snagged and ripped off. Cameras, compared to sonars, show less area. Sonars are better for murky and dark waters.

And what about flasher or camera for ice fishing?

Flashers have one advantage, and that is being able to “see” wider range of depths in the water. They are also useful in dark and murky waters, where cameras are useless. However, some anglers prefer real images that are shown by the camera. Interpreting flashers can be hard for beginners.

And finally, sonar vs flasher for ice fishing?

Sonars are more versatile and can be used year-round in different conditions, while flashers are better for ice fishing. Flasher have simplified displays, and although both devices show the same info, picture looks very different. For a beginner, sonar is easier to use. Flashers have longer battery life because there are no complicated displays to discharge batteries too soon.

Sonars can have GPS, plotters, and similar features, which can increase their price. While sonars can be used on the move, flashers work much better when stationary, like on ice, or a boat in the open water (but not for trolling).

So, what's better for ice fishing flasher or camera?

For a beginner fishing in clear and not too deep waters, camera is cheaper and easier to use. Flashers are great for murky waters, or a bit more experienced anglers who will know how to use them.

What are the Best Brands for Ice Fishing Underwater Cameras?

Ice fishing cameras come in various price ranges, made by different manufactures.

When it comes to price-performance ratio, the ones mentioned here are more than good, especially for beginners who are not even sure if they will like using it.

But, if you are willing to spend more than $300, or even up to $1000, you may find MarCum cameras (#ad) to be the best.

Can I Buy Underwater camera as a Gift for Fisherman?

Underwater camera would be a great gift for a fisherman of any experience level. Cool electronic gadgets are fun and useful. Many anglers would love to have them, and you could be the one that makes their wishes come true!

You can get them a camera, or a similar item like a fish finder, or something else if they already have one. There is something useful even for those who already have everything!

Conclusion

The best ice fishing underwater camera is the one you like to use, doesn’t cost a fortune, and it gets the job done. Screen size, battery life, cable length, and other features do not have the same importance for every user, and you have to choose the one that will satisfy your needs. It is important that a camera is made by reputable manufacturer.

Observing fish underwater can help you fish successfully and to learn a lot about fish behavior by looking at real life images that show you everything you would not be able to see with your own eyes, or when using other electronics, like flashers.

So, if you like the idea of having a camera for ice fishing, get one and you will experience how fun and useful it can be!