Profile
Clam Outdoors began as a manufacturer of quality ice fishing equipment over 30 years ago. In the beginning, it started with a portable suitcase-style shelter that opened up like a Clam (hence where the company name came from), but it all took off when an avid ice angler name Dave Genz came up with a brand new concept. He wanted to build a portable ice fishing house that would protect him from the weather, as well as allow him to be mobile. So he made one. Then another, and another and began to sell them to anglers across the ice belt. When he realized he had something that everyone wanted, he joined forces with Clam that was able to help with the expanding demand for the original Fish Trap.

The leader in the ice-fishing industry offering a full line of hardwater fishing supplies, including the Fish Trap® (flip over shelters), Clam™ pop-up hub-style shelters, IceArmor™ by Clam (outerwear: bibs, parkas, head & hand) and Clam Ice Fishing clothing (base layer, socks, boots). Also offering a variety of Dave Genz Signature Series rods/reels and Jason Mitchell Elite Series rods/reels (ice and summer fishing). Along with being the leader in ice fishing products, Clam Outdoors offers utility trailers and carts with its Polar Trailer™ products, Quick-Set™ screen shelters and Bigtooth Tackle™ muskie baits.

With the addition of the Fish Trap to its burgeoning line of ice angling equipment, Clam Outdoors began its ascent as a company. Our vision was to provide reliable quality products that enhanced outdoor experiences. Much Like Genz’s original Fish Trap idea, Innovation was the key to success, as consumers are continually seeking new and reliable products. That vision, combined with our passion for the outdoors, helped us grow to become an industry leader of ice fishing equipment.

We then applied that philosophy to other “non-ice” products, intending to grow Clam Outdoors to an all-seasons company. We acquired Polar Trailer, and used our success with ice shelter tubs to produce the most durable and dependable utility trailers and carts on the market. Again, we created a quality product that enhances an outdoor experience. In this case, our Polar trailers and carts help make yard, farm, and fieldwork easier.

Using our hub technology from our pop-up fish houses, we developed a line of pop-up screen houses that released in 2013. With a 60-second set up that offers protection from bugs and rain, our QuickSet shelters are continuing to gain popularity as one of the easiest and fastest portable shelters to use.

With our success in the ice fishing market, we have also expanded our products to the open water fishing market as well. Our open water line up includes Jason Mitchell open water rods, Bigtooth Muskie tackle, and open water jigs and tackle. And we recently developed and launched in 2018 a line of outdoor apparel that is unlike anything in the industry Blackfish (www.blackfishgear.com).

UPF sun shirts that offer protection from the sun and cooling technology, premium weatherproof soft-shell jackets, hoodies and pants that provide warmth and comfort, and a line of rain gear that is unlike anything the fishing industry had seen before.