Fishing with ATV

First, a hello to all members!

I got an Arctic cat TRV 700 ATV that I would like to go ice fishing with this year. I'm wondering if the chains are a must have?

So about getting my gear out onto the lake.
Could I not just use the trailer that I got the ATV to the lake with and hitch it to the 2inch ball behind the ATV and head out?

Anyone do this before?

Chains are not a must have, but they can probably make things easier in some cases.
I have the same ATV and i never put chains on it.

As for the trailer, it all depends on how big and heavy it is, and how much snow is on the lake.
I think you would be better off pulling a cargo sled, you'll run a much lower chance of getting stuck.

Chains aren't really required, but when the snow gets deep they sure help... as long as you can dig one wheel down to ice you will eventually get traction and keep moving.

You shouldn't run high speed with chains - they effectively throw the wheels out of balance and extended use at high speed risks damage to wheel bearings.

As for pulling a trailer, no problem without much snow, but once the snow gets up to the axles I would expect it will be very hard going.

i have a grizzly 700 it has 27in sti on it and i run the lake when it safe i still stay clear of the big drifts and slush beds when the snow is deep i put it into low gear and go i pull my flat bed trailer when there is not to much snow otherwise just put all gear on sled and pull that

Great set up 👍🐠

Thanks everyone!

I use my ATV when there is no snow or little snow on Lake Simcoe.
I don't use my snowmobile because it runs hot when theres no snow on the lake.

Don't know about chains. If snow is much deeper than skidplates on atv, it can be a pain(snowmobile time). The less you tow, and more you can load on the racks( custom wood boxes etc)the better. I throw my small pelican sled on the front rack and strap it down. Minnow pail, flasher, rods, tip ups manual auger inside. Then I wear a backpack, with food/beverages etc. Works well. Mind you I have no portable hut to carry, as I'm headed out to a permanent shack.

I use chains and wouldnt go without them. Simcoe usually isn't too bad but any back lake in the last few years has 2ft of snow and lots of slush. I fished a lake last year and plowed 2 ft of snow and slush the length of the lake. It was so bad snowmobiles where using my trail and even stopped to thank me for making a road.

My set up

Unstoppable

i have a 2x2 hss tube that i can put in hole and pull bike out when the slush bed finds me lol

I've been watching this thread because I just recently got my first ATV a 500 Honda. What is the deepest snow you can or would go out on the lake on? I do have a plow and may leave it on now when going out as I see fish guru has there. I guess you can always slowly plow your way if it gets too deep. Sold my sleds years ago and am new to the whole ATV scene. Cheers

It depends on your tire size and tread! my atv has 12 inches before I'm plowing and I have mudlites which work pretty good in the snow and slush. So anything over a foot deep I try to stay away from because it's not worth the effort of getting out of a slush hole. I think chains would make a great addition to any atv that's used on ice.