Vehicle choice for hardwater traveling

[MT_mulies]

Just curious what everyone on here uses to get from the bank to their fishing location on the water? I have so much crap that I usually use a fourwheeler to tow across the lake if their is enough ice 8-10 inches for me. If it is under 8 inches of ice I walk. I use a Kawasaki brute force 650. I don't want to turn this into a bash or which is best, just curious what everyone uses. I'm thinking of getting some chains for my fourwheeler. I have a buddy that once the ice hits 1 foot or more he drives his little Toyota tacoma on the ice. Bigger huevos than me that's for sure haha!

Walk
Fourwheeler(what kind)
Snowmobile(what kind)
Truck/car(what kind)
Other

[PerchRapala]

I'm terrified of ice, so I don't go out until it's super thick and I can drive my Jeep. I know I miss a lot, but I'm scared of dying.

[FG Steve]

There are lots of searchable threads out there for this, but I'll bite for fun.

Snowmobiles on ice >6 in.

[Tackle]

An older 4wd F150 for when ice is between 16"-48" thick. Often times Mid-late season the snow will be too much for the truck so I have to walk.

[Ice Scratcher]

My boat, it'll hold everything I need...



<°)))>{

[ifish4fishwithteeth]

Quad most of the time. Snowmobile if a lot of snow on the ice.

[bowmandan]

Polaris ranger when the ice gets thick enough.  Or I walk

[Ice Scratcher]

Also the two hoofed express ...

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[Ethan C]

I have a Bruteforce 750 and it does just fine. But if i got a vehicle just for ice fishing I would have a side by side.

[Whopper Stopper]

Walking when early ice.

Grizzly 4 wheeler with chains once there is sufficient ice.

Skandic snowmobile once the snow gets too deep for the 4 wheeler.

GMC 4 wheel drive 3/4 ton once the ice gets good and thick, also chains all around when the snow gets deep and the drifts get hard.

                    WS

[step2jimi]

I picked up a sled last year but never got around to getting it studded. Am i crazy to think with snow on the ice ill be ok without getting it studded?

[Alex Delarge]

Not crazy, neither of mine are studded. Once or twice a year I wish I had studs though. Mostly be careful where you park, don't have the track on glare ice and skis on snow. If I don't have a beat down path I'll try to park on drifts. Feather the throttle, don't stab it when taking off, once you're going you're all set.

[Sandcountrylivin]

I'm terrified of ice, so I don't go out until it's super thick and I can drive my Jeep. I know I miss a lot, but I'm scared of dying.
[/quote



Not intended to be personal but I can't understand the logic of driving on the ice with a couple thousand pound vehicle if you are 'Terrified' of ice. No matter the thickness of the ice, driving a vehicle on the ice can end in disaster. Between pressure cracks, natural or man made springs and spearing holes you put your life on the line when you drive a vehicle on to the ice.

[uncleshorty]

Size 12 EEE's...

[ice dawg]

Yamaha Viking and when the ice is thick enough my F250.

[Big Ice Hole]

Boot footen. 4" - 6", then 4 wheeler. Arctic Cat 500.

[BowHunter1527]

I'm terrified of ice, so I don't go out until it's super thick and I can drive my Jeep. I know I miss a lot, but I'm scared of dying.

If youre that terrified why would you risk driving your jeep out there and not just walk?

[redneckdan]

For chains go to tirechain.Com

Get diamond pattern with studs for the rears. If you have non McPherson strut front suspension, get two link vbars for the fronts. Pull your your rim off the ATV when you mount them. Pull the valve core and get them tight. Then air back up. They won't be going anywhere, no tensioners needed.

[pyro261]

I bought a new snowmobile this year (mostly to ride) but will also be using it to haul my stuff out on larger lakes.  Not having some kind of transportation really limits your options ice fishing, unless you like waking up earlier and walking.

[2labradors]

I use a Wilcraft 3 inches of ice it's good to go , no worries if it breaks through you float and just back up on to the ice again.

[Evinrude58]

Around here a lot of the lakes do not allow machines so walking is usually my mode of transportation.

[chasinfins]

Walk on 5" to 8", then Polaris Ranger over 8".

[32footsteps]

If it's a foot of real good solid ice i'll drive my 1/2 ton pickup out.  Very rare that we get 12 inches of clear solid ice.  Usually when it's 15 inches of typical ice I only have one worry and that worry is that morons will see me parked on a lake and assume it's safe to drive right up next to my truck and ask how thick the ice is.  When I had a smaller car 8 inches was good enough to feel comfortable. 

[JiggingIowa]

My boat, it'll hold everything I need...

(Image removed from quote.)

<°)))>{

Haha that's great, I bet you can hear that beast of a motor coming towards ya!

[Spudhole]

Those Ice Scratcher Boats are awesome. I WILL own one someday.

[Ice Scratcher]

Haha that's great, I bet you can hear that beast of a motor coming towards ya!

Lol l get offers for rides so she stays on shore, that's how loud it is..

"Chase every fish out da bay" lol

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[eyeflyer]

The "eyetrain"

[williev18]

once there is 8+" of ice i use my Honda rubicon with chains until to snow gets too deep, then i pull out the old 89 indy sport 340.

[filetandrelease]

My tundra or its the old shoe leather express

[drscholl14]

Snowmobile, but that's what I have available.  I'd probably go with a 4 wheeler although the snowmobile works plenty good.