Snow or No Snow Inside Hub

[wyogator]

I know this isn’t a super important question.  I just want other opinions on this.  I like to bring a shovel when there is snow on the lake to shovel off the snow inside my hub.  I like smooth ice inside my hub.  It keeps things tidy and snow out of my buddy heater and fish finder.  My buddy thinks it’s a waste of time and work (it literally takes about two minutes.)  I have also seen numerous pics on the Shanty and Facebook of insides of hubs full of deep snow.  That would drive me crazy, especially the camping pics.  Let me know what ya guys think.  There’s no right or wrong answer to this.

[ice dawg]

We bring a grain scoop and get rid of the deep stuff before setting the hub up.

[Rebelss]

We shovel it down flat and smooth.

[IceSpartan]

I shovel around all of my auger holes.  Can’t stand having that pile of shredded ice around the hole. 

[OldTowner]

Always shovel and then put interlocking mats down. Same for around the holes.

[grababrewski]

Always shovel and then put interlocking mats down. Same for around the holes.

^^^this.
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2009476/foam-exercise-8-pc-mat-set.jsp?skuid=98620601&CID=shopping15&utm_campaign=TOYS&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=98620601&utm_campaignid=15096102625&gclid=CjwKCAiA1JGRBhBSEiwAxXblwYKnimLR67-3SztwdeuHbcufWwAkLMuU1ceYmqgwJOdYzgnuy4PDRBoC3S8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[RStock521]

I don't shovel. After I drill my hole, I use my boot and swipe side to side to clear an area around it for my fish finder so that it's sitting on level ice.

[icefishman]

Snow

[hardwater diehard]

I may shovel some if a lot of snow ...but I would rather not wear cleats if at all possible so hitting bare ice is not my goal.. I dont use mats .

[Hardwater2]

If staying overnight then I’ll leave snow, just level it. Using mats in combo over the snow helps slow down water on ice and over the mats from heater. I’ve stayed on fish in same spot sometimes for multiple days. Leaving snow in this situation really makes a difference. Mats also have less tendency of sliding around.

[cwavs1982]

I think it comes down to how much snow are you talking about.  A few inches of snow, we drill the holes, knock down the pile and put the hub up.  We always keep the heater up off the ice to prevent a quick melt pool from forming.  The little snow isn't an issue to walk on.

If you are talking about 12" or so, then we shovel this off before drilling and setting the hub up.  Even then we try to keep some snow present, but depends on the amount.  With alot of snow, slush is now going to be an issue.  The weight of the snow outside will push the ice down and you will have water on top of the ice and this can find a way to your house. 

When we have had alot of snow, we have had to drill half holes outside the hub or channel a path for the water to stay out of the hub.  After awhile, it almost becomes pointless and we just move the hub to another area. 

If you want to shovel off all the snow, I think its best to keep the heater up off the ice and set on a crate or something. 

[wyogator]

I think cleats are a must if you shovel, especially if it gets wet in there.

[Harv]

^^^this.
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2009476/foam-exercise-8-pc-mat-set.jsp?skuid=98620601&CID=shopping15&utm_campaign=TOYS&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=98620601&utm_campaignid=15096102625&gclid=CjwKCAiA1JGRBhBSEiwAxXblwYKnimLR67-3SztwdeuHbcufWwAkLMuU1ceYmqgwJOdYzgnuy4PDRBoC3S8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Just 1 8 piece set for your hub or do you need 2?

[Owesome_Otter]

I would get the Harbor Freight foam tiles over those. They are thicker (1/2" vs 3/8") and you get double the square footage per package for less.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-anti-fatigue-foam-mat-set-94635.html

You'll have to measure out your hub to determine how many you need.

[Harv]

Thanks!  I'll have to measure it out.  I have the Eskimo fatfish i949

[Joe in T.C.]

I usually shovel down to the ice.

Watch out for heavy wet snow though.

I have shoveled heavy wet snow down to the ice, popped a hole with the auger, and up comes the water.

The weight of the snow pushed down on the ice and formed a little pond where I was going to set up =)

Good Luck all 

[isaaccarlson]

Get rid of the deep stuff and keep enough to level off/pack down for insulation/traction.

[Adironzach]

I prefer the snow out of my shelter so ill shovel. I feel better about my setup when its cleared out first, and similarly dont think it takes much time at all to do.

[MumbleSEED]

I usually shovel out the snow to use for packing on the outside skirting of my shack.  It doesn't have to be bare on ice but I bring a mini shovel for the task.

[antelope76]

I like to keep some snow for my feet to sit on.  The bare ice will suck the heat right out of your feet.

[slipperybob]

Packed down to about maybe 4 to 6 inches of snow.  I don't like bare ice if I can have some snow cover.  I don't like deep snow either, it's just too much.

[Hardwater2]

Packed down to about maybe 4 to 6 inches of snow.  I don't like bare ice if I can have some snow cover.  I don't like deep snow either, it's just too much.

That’s about perfect^^

[wyogator]

I like it bare, less messy.

[badger132]

If the snow is deep enough to cause overflow, you may be removing your best chance to avoid fishing in a livewell. I have removed all the snow in a spot only to realize that the snow had pressed the ice down to where the water was about an inch deep over the ice. We moved, and carefully packed a platform before we drilled new holes, and were able to use that to keep on top (for the most part)

[wyogator]

I always shovel off a 6x6 square, then drill two holes before setting up the hub.  So, if the hole comes a bubblin’ up like Texas crude, I’ll set the hub up next to it on snow.

[jethro]

I like a cathedral ceiling, so if there is a foot of snow on the ice, I will set the hub on top of the snow, then dig the inside and throw it out the door. Always clear ice inside and creepers on. Tried the interlocking mats and nope, not for me. Only time I do interlocking mats is if I am camping out, then I bring a few of them just for a place to take off my boots.

[wyogator]

I think the interlocking mats are more trouble than they are worth.  I could see for camping though.  A few years ago, I made a 6x6 plywood floor with a 2x2 frame, three holes and hinges in the middle to fold in half.  The damn thing was so heavy, and kept sliding off the sled, I never used it.  I’m now okay with bare ice and insulated Mucks.