Ice fishing is one of the greatest winter pastimes. Getting together with some good friends, getting out on the ice, and catching some fresh dinner is the best way to enjoy the brisk air. Introducing an ATV or UTV is a no-brainer. Carrying your auger and fishing gear in a vehicle is much easier than hauling it all yourself.
But is it safe or practical to bring a UTV? Is it worth the trouble to bring an ATV? How many of your buddies can you pack in with you? We’ll answer all these questions and more so you can make one of your favorite hobbies even better.
How Big of an ATV/UTV Do You Need for Ice Fishing?When you’re trying to decide what kind of ATV or UTV you need for your ice fishing trip, there are really only a few things you need to consider first:
First up is logistics. Who’s coming and how will they get there? If you know everybody you fish with has an ATV, there’s no need to up your vehicle capacity. If you like to take your family with you, you might be better served with a 4-seat UTV.
Beyond that, if your favorite ice fishing spot is miles away from the nearest road and you need to traverse really bad terrain, you will be better served with a UTV. A good Can-Am Defender or Polaris Ranger can cover nearly 200 miles on a single tank of gas, and they have plenty of cargo space for extra fuel and camping gear. If you’re just going from the parking lot to the center of the lake and back, you’ll be fine in an ATV.
That brings us to gear. If you’ve got a heavy-duty auger and plan on running multiple lines to catch a week’s worth of dinners, you’ll benefit from the large bed available on most UTVs. If you’re keeping it simple with a drill-mounted auger and sandwich to hold you over, an ATV will be just fine.
Safety ConsiderationsSafety should be your number one priority whenever you venture out onto the ice.
The last thing you want is to go through the ice and end up sleeping with the fish you were trying to catch!
The first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with the Minnesota DNR’s ice thickness guide. It breaks down the thickness required to support a range of different vehicles. Here are the basics:
These guidelines apply to new, clear ice only. If the ice is white, you have to double the thickness.
So if you want to ride on an ATV, you need ice that’s at least 5” thick. We don’t see UTVs on that list, but given that a Polaris Ranger Crew weighs about 1000 pounds less than a Toyota Camry, you will be safe with at least 8” of ice.
You just need two tools to measure the thickness of the ice:
If you’re ice fishing, you already have an ice auger with you. Just make sure you pack a tape measure too. With the right tools, checking the thickness is easy. Drill a hole in the ice and measure the depth with a tape measure. Since ice thickness varies across a frozen lake, the Minnesota DNR recommends checking it every 150 feet or so.
If you’re fishing with a few different friends who are all bringing their own vehicles out on the ice, don’t park too close together. Park your UTVs at least 50 feet apart and move them every two hours. You can poke a hole in the ice next to your vehicles to monitor the ice. If water starts flowing over the ice, you need to move your vehicles ASAP because the ice is sinking.
This is less of a worry with ATVs, but we approve of the “better-safe-than-sorry” method, especially when spreading out your ATVs on the ice is so easy.
So how many people can you bring with you on your ice fishing trip? If the conditions are right, you can bring as many people as you want.
You have to think a little harder about the size of your group if the ice is at the low end of your thickness range. When you have a six-seater Ranger filled with a 200-pound person in every seat, along with all their gear in the cargo bed, 7”–8” of ice is probably not going to cut it.
If the ice is 2 feet thick, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
To have the very best chance of success when you don’t know what kind of ice conditions you will have, everybody should ride their own ATVs. If you spread out your weight, you can spread out your love… of ice fishing.
There are some ATV ice fishing accessories that will make your adventure more comfortable and successful.
Apart from adding tracks that give you the traction you need to cross unforgiving, icy terrain, there are a few other things you should think about. Namely, accessories that keep you from sinking and keep you from freezing.
Snow tracks can make navigating tricky snow and ice easier and more fun. But don’t forget to keep yourself warm and keep your ATV afloat.Whenever you’re out on an adventure, it’s a good idea to plan for the worst case scenario. When it comes to ATV ice fishing, that means that you need to make sure you won’t lose your quad—or yourself—if you go through the ice. While lightweight ATVs will float with no rider, it’s better to get a flotation kit to make sure you float too. Not to mention, ATVs over 750 pounds tend to sink like a stone.
You can add flotation in the form of bolt-on kits that attach to the front and the rear.
Or you can get special tires and wheel kits that either attach to your wheel or replace it altogether. There are also emergency flotation devices that inflate in seconds when you pull the cord.
Most ATV flotation devices are compatible on UTVs, but they’re less effective due to the extra weight.
If you want to stay warm while you’re ATV ice fishing, get some heated gloves, heated handlebars, and a windshield.
If you’re bringing your UTV with you, keeping warm is a little bit easier. Here’s what we recommend to fend off frostbite:
If you get all these accessories, you won’t freeze your ass off before you even start fishing.
With a little safety and a little smarts, your next ice fishing adventure can be your biggest and best yet. Get your machine and your plan sorted out now, so you can enjoy good friends, good company, and good eats later.
The best way to get to the ice is with your UTV. It can haul a small ice fishing shed and your fishing or ice skating gear without worrying about getting stuck. Enjoy ice skating and ice fishing on that pond or lake that’s only accessible by snow machines or other off-road vehicles with these tips:
Before you head out, check the snow conditions and OHV trail and road closures. Snow conditions will determine whether you need additional accessories such as tracks for your UTV. Making sure the trails are open for your UTV will prevent disappointment if they are closed to all vehicles or if they are open only to snow machines.
Additionally, you need to check for ice thickness. If the ice is clear and it’s under 4 inches deep, it’s not safe. If it’s white snow ice and under 8 inches thick, it’s not safe. When checking ice, if it’s white snow ice, double the thicknesses for safety. Safe thicknesses for different vehicles include:
If you are ever unsure, stay off the ice.
Always measure the thickness of the ice at least every 150 feet. Ice could be 12 inches thick in one place and just a few yards away, it could be less than 4 inches thick. You can use an ice auger, chisel or a cordless drill to make a hole in the ice. Once the hole is drilled, then hook the end of the tape measure to the bottom of the ice to take the measurement.
If you are driving a vehicle on the ice, be sure to stay where you’ve checked. Drive slowly on the ice and never leave your vehicle parked in one place for more than two hours. To see if the ice is sinking near your vehicle, drill a hole next to the vehicle. If you see the water coming out of the hole onto the top of the ice, the ice is sinking—move your vehicle.
When you take your UTV out, be sure to pack accordingly. You never know when you might end up stranded, even in a UTV. Be sure to bring the following:
If you have space, a blanket for each person and a tarp are good additions. If you do have to stay overnight the tarp could be used as a tent and the blankets will help keep you warm. Also, bring kindling and paper to help get a fire started.
Always have the proper accessories and apparel to keep yourself safe while you’re out on the ice.
The best way to stay warm is to layer your clothing.
The first layer should be some type of synthetic-blend long underwear top and bottom. This should be loose-fitting and comfortable. Wear your regular clothes over this layer. Your feet should be covered with loose-fitting wool socks and your boots should be waterproof and insulated.
The outer layer should be a warm jacket and insulated pants. For your extra change of clothes, you should bring all of these layers. Additionally, make sure you have a face mask and an approved helmet. The face mask will protect your face from the cold and may be worn under the helmet.
For a warmer, more enjoyable riding experience, equip your UTV with some accessory upgrades:
You could use a full cab or add a soft roof with a windshield, which will keep a lot of the wind off you as you’re driving.
If you completely enclose the UTV, adding a cab heater will really keep you warm.
A snow plow for your UTV not only allows you to plow your driveway, but it will let you plow the ice if it has a layer of snow on it. You shouldn’t use it to plow the trails as most trails are maintained. Your plow could wreck the snowpack on the trail.
Tire chains help if you are stuck on a hill or in an area where there may be snow and water. While you could winch yourself out, the winch cable only goes so far. Tire chains will give you enough traction to get yourself out of many spots.
When choosing a UTV, keep the use in mind. If you plan on using it during the winter, you need a powerful vehicle that is reliable and has good ground clearance to drive through deep snow. The 2019 Polaris Industries Ranger Crew XP 1000 EPS NorthStar HVAC Edition features a ProStar engine that makes 82 horsepower. It also has HVAC to make riding in the winter much more comfortable. The heat will also serve to warm you up while ice fishing so you can spend more time on the ice.
This Polaris comes standard with the Ranger Pro Shield cab system and factory installed HVAC system. With a 13-inch ground clearance, you’ll be able to hit most trails or even go off the trails in deeper snow. This model tows up to 2,500 pounds, so you can easily haul an ice shack to the lake. It uses a standard 2-inch receiver to haul a small trailer.
Check out our full inventory of UTVS and accessories at Tousley Motorsports for you and your vehicle to stay safe while enjoying winter activities.
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ATV trips are a pleasure not only in the warm season, but also in winter.
In addition, in winter there is always work for the ATV, for example, to remove snow from the driveway. However, the operation of an ATV in winter has a number of features that must be considered in order to avoid problems and breakdowns.
Consider not only the process of driving an ATV, but also the preparation of an ATV for winter operation.
To operate the ATV in winter, change the engine oil to a lower viscosity grade. If 10W-40 is suitable in the warm season, then it would be advisable to use 5W-40 for winter. It is also worth considering that this should be a synthetic oil for ATVs or motorcycles, not for cars, as it contains special additives for wet clutch operation.
Recommended oil for CFMOTO ATVs is CFMOTO G-Motion , which is adapted to the peculiarities of the operation of equipment in Russia, has passed multiple tests and has an increased margin of protective properties, ensuring uninterrupted operation of the engine in all operating modes, including extreme ones.
It happens that after summer operation there is water in the cooling system, which can freeze at low temperatures. Before the onset of cold weather, we recommend pouring only high-quality antifreeze or antifreeze into the ATV cooling system.
Tested and recommended for CFMOTO ATVs is CFMOTO G-Motion Antifreeze .
It is recommended to remove the additional protection from the levers during the winter, as it can trap and accumulate snow. In view of the proximity to the heating elements of the transmission, this snow will subsequently turn into ice growths that can damage the anthers of the CV joints.
You should also think about removing the underbody protection for the winter, because if you decide to overcome a water barrier on an ATV in winter, then there is a risk of carrying frozen snow and ice with you until spring.
However, without bottom protection, you should be more careful in choosing routes.
In winter, the battery can be a hassle. The normal battery charge is 12.5V and this indicator must be monitored and the battery recharged in a timely manner.
If your ATV is stored outdoors, the best solution is to remove and bring the battery into a house or other warm area.
Always warm up the engine before winter driving. On average, 5 minutes will be enough. This is necessary so that the oil is evenly distributed throughout the engine.
No matter how warm your gloves are, installing heated grips and heated triggers will help keep you comfortable when riding an ATV in the winter. Heatings have two heating modes (strong and weak), providing a comfortable ride on an ATV both in the autumn-spring period and in cold winter.
If your ATV has fuel injection, then there will be no problems in winter. Owners of carburetor models will have to attend to actions to enrich the fuel mixture and remember the principles of working with a starting enricher (called an air damper in the manuals). It is necessary to start a cold engine with the enricher open, when it is already started - you should move the lever to the middle position to warm up the engine. As soon as the engine warms up, the lever can be returned to the working position and the ride can begin.
Any winter ATV trip can be overshadowed by out-of-season gear. Be sure to wear special winter equipment , because even if your ATV is completely ready for winter rides, you should be ready for them too: use thermal underwear, a heated helmet, special winter jackets, pants, gloves and boots.
Otherwise ATV winter operation is not much different from other seasons.
Therefore, you should not think about whether it is possible to ride an ATV in winter. Of course it is possible and even necessary! It is winter operation that will allow you to gain new experience, open up new management opportunities and test your equipment in new and sometimes more interesting conditions.
As we have already written more than once, ATVs are successfully operated in winter, and not only for rides around the cottage, but also, by the way, for snow removal. And so that the equipment does not let us down in frosts, and there are no health problems for its owner, it's time to prepare.
Dmitry Zlenko
When riding a quad in winter, it is important to dress properly. And here the main thing is not how much ammunition costs, but the approach itself. You should dress according to the principle of "cabbage". The first layer is usually strictly synthetic thermal underwear, which does not absorb moisture released by the body, but takes it out.
The next layer is fleece. The highlight of this fabric is that it perfectly retains heat, is not blown by the wind, and even when wet, retains its heat-insulating properties. Fleece jacket and pants over thermal underwear guarantee warmth even in severe frosts.
The third, final layer is a demi-season motorcycle jacket with a corresponding lining and the same autumn motorcycle semi-overalls.
It is possible to freeze on a quadric in winter only if you first sweat a lot or plop down into an unexplored and unfrozen river or a hole under the snow. Or drive slowly and sadly ... The cost of off-road driving is significant, so only hands and feet can constantly freeze. The main thing is a pair of thermal socks or electrically heated insoles. Naturally, with the heating of the handles and the gas trigger running. The footwear itself must be ventilated and at the same time not let water in. Cross-country boots, the same as in summer, are a good choice, but a size larger to fit thermal socks.
Tight shoes are contraindicated.
But if you plan to go to grilled sausages, then the equipment of a fisher-hunter is enough. After you have prepared for the cold yourself, it's time to adapt the ATV to winter. First of all, we recommend changing the oil in the all-terrain vehicle engine.
For example, Liqui Moly's line of profile products has ATV 4T Motoroil 5W-50, ideal for ATVs in winter. This oil guarantees easy starting in cold weather, maximum performance and trouble-free operation of the engine in all conditions.
It would not be superfluous to replace the antifreeze in the cooling system before the winter season. In most cases, quadric radiators get clogged with dirt in the summer and the engine operates at elevated temperatures. With such operation, the coolant quickly loses its properties. In addition, in field conditions, you could add water to the cooling system, which in the cold can turn into unpleasant consequences for the engine of your ATV. If we talk about choosing a new coolant, then preference should be given to high-quality modern antifreeze.
For example, Motorbike Langzeit Kuhlerfrostschutz GTL 12+ for cooling systems of modern motors with increased performance, including non-ferrous metals. This German product does not contain amines, borates, nitrites, phosphates, it perfectly protects the motor from overheating in both winter and summer.
During the winter, the ATV heats up and cools down a lot of times. As a result, condensation forms on various parts, which later turns into ice. This adversely affects the resource of equipment, because many nodes rust, drive cables break, various cuffs and seals become unusable. It is worth regularly treating some parts of the ATV with Liqui Moly LM40 water-repellent spray. This composition will prevent corrosion, freezing of ATV control mechanisms, slow down the aging of plastic and rubber elements, and ensure the mobility of parts. By the way, Liqui Moly has a special line of products for ATVs.
And, of course, don't forget to clean the ATV from snow after winter trips, especially if your "horse" is stored on the street or in an unheated garage.
