I have a 700 EFI sportsman that I have been using on the lake to go ice fishing. The snow is getting a bit deeper now and I am wondering if I could be getting stuck if I keep it up. Will chains help or just get me in more trouble. Some of the snow is crusted and I think I'll stay on top but some is softer and I could break through. Anyone have some advice??

 

Buy a snowmobile, the ATV will never replace them (unless it has tracks). Once a ATV is high centered its game over because the wheels are out of the picture, chains or no chains.

Tough place to find a winch tie off point on a frozen lake,been there done that.LOL

 

Great idea but out of the question for a couple of years. I probably have to use the truck and stick to where they have plowed trails on the lake. To bad that isn't always where the fish are.

 

You must have a nice secret ice fishing spot if there is no hard pack sled trails going to it. LOL

 

The only others I have seen there were running a SnoBear. Just a little beyond my means.

 

I like it ,its like having a mobile ice fishing hut.

 

I have a few sleds but one thing for sure is used sled sell for much cheaper then used ATVs.

I bought this mint condition 98 500 Ski-doo for only $1500 Canadian.A few years ago.
It has a long 136" track,2up seat,heated grips and throttle,rear carrier ,electric start,Reverse and 500cc twin fan cooled Rotax rated at 50hp and it hits 70 mph no trouble also has very comfortable suspension.

With only $1500 invested it does not bother me if its sits for 8 months a year doing nothing.Its more fun to ride on snow and ice then the most expensive 4x4 ATV out there.



My Friend just bought this one in the States (Michigan) for $1300. It has the same features as mentioned above but has a 80hp 550 liquid cooled Suzuki twin.
It will hit 80 mph and 70 mph through slush.

 

The chains will help if you are able to get to ice and are not "hung up" from too much snow. Otherwise the chains will dig deeper into the snow. I have used them when it is glare ice to provide extra traction but in the deep snow they didn't help very much. You need more floatation in deep snow and less "digging"

 

I like the snowmobile idea. Time to start saving. TLC, it sounds like you got a good deal.

 

+1 on the sled. You can find some pretty good deals on used sleds out there. Got mine 5 years ago for $1500, it's a 97 Polaris XLT Limited. It's been a great sled, I've never had to do anything to it other than routine maintenance. I don't know how fast it will actually go, but I've had it over 80. That's more than fast enough for me...lol. I'd guess it would top out somewhere between 90 and 100.

I don't have any pics on mine handy, but this one is identical except mine has a long track.