ATV's on Ice

[patstarfish]

As far as I know, my Polaris Sportsman does not float. Can anyone give me some info on ice thickness etc. for taking the ATV out on the ice....How much snow depth can it handle before a snowmobile is needed? Last year at Echo I saw ATV tracks leading to a big hole in the ice...If I pulled something like that, my wife would cut of my jig and kick me in the tackle box...
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[submoa]

I honestly have no idea, only commenting because I will be stealing your jig and tackle box line. Thats hillarious!
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[Coldfooter]

Whether my wheeler or Snow machine,, I perfer no less that 4" of good solid clear ice, altho' I have travel acoss thinner. As far as the dept of snow,, I chain up and can easily get around in 6" of snow,, but perfer the snowmoble when there more than a couple inches.. Its far faster and can drag far more weight through snow.. Its important to be aware of,, and remember,, the pressure wave effect caused by fast traveling machines across thinner ice. So dont get carried away,, or you could be packed away! I have went down on a machine,, it sucks!!
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[Coldfooter]

I think he's talking about a different type of jig and tackle box,,,,,LOL!
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[submoa]

I get it, that's why its so funny.
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[Chuuk]

I take my wheelers out quite a bit, I don't tempt it for under 8", but I'm just playing it safe. Stay away from any sign of pressure ridges and make sure you know the lake you are going on. Strawberry is notorious for gobblLing up machines due to the springs that keep ice thin. Snow on top of hard ice I have done up to about 10" but it's the slush that I'll worry more about. Any kind of deep slush and it can ruin your day before it gets started. Hope this helps
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[BearLakeFishGuy]

This is a direct copy/paste from the Minnesota DNR website on ice thickness guidelines:
General ice thickness guidelines

[url "http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/safety/ice/icecard.pdf"][/url]
[center][url "http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/safety/ice/icecard.pdf"]Printable PDF version[/url][/center]

For New, Clear Ice Only

[ul][li]2" or less - STAY OFF[/li][li]4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot[/li][li]5" - Snowmobile or ATV[/li][li]8" - 12" - Car or small pickup[/li][li]12" - 15" - Medium truck[/li][/ul]
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[bassrods]

5" or more, and snow depth lol till you get high centered..
your 4 wheeler should go until it get high centered then have fun..[]
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[JustJim]

I don't like to put my wheeler on less than 8". But I'm kind of a chicken.

I saw a wheeler go through at a pressure ridge at Fish Lake a few years ago. I think it was a big Polaris. It took about 2-3 minutes for it to roll over and sink (the guy got out ok). It's my undurstanding that the smaller bikes like the older 350-400's will float, wheels up. It's the bigger bikes that the tires can't keep afloat.

Another danger is like when Cliff went in a couple years ago at Yuba, I think he said he and his passenger were pinned between the ice and the wheeler for a short time. He could tell ya better than me. Pretty scary.
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[Fish-or-die]

I've been in some hairy situations on thin ice a few times. when I take out the wheeler then I make sure someone else has checked it for me. i.e. can see tracks already or see an actual quad out. One of the bigger concerns and this depends on the snow pack is getting on the ice. If there is alot of snow on the bank I prefer to follow the packed down trail, especially snowmobile trails. I have spent more time in a day getting a quad unstuck then fishing, sometimes I just left it and went fishing first Hope some of this helps. The main thing as stated above is that more then likely someone else has already ventured out and that makes confidence rise. If you ever worry just make sure and do test holes and make sure your 100% comfortable, it's not worth wasteing a day or worse equipment on trying to be tough and anxious to fish. I have walked and left the quad on the trailer when I didn't feel comfortable. enough ranting just got get a feel and you'll be fine
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