Ice Camping adventure

[Sam Menard]

After acquiring a new sled, I decided to hit the local walleye lake for an overnight trip. My son was going to join me but woke up feeling un-well so opted to stay home. I was itchy to get out so I loaded up the truck and headed out.

Thankfully I drive a crew cab truck with a 6.5’ box so I was able to transport everything without needing a trailer. The truck was packed, and once I got to the trail head, loading the sleigh was challenging. The bulkiest items were the 16 floor mats, 5-start sleeping bag, and pop-up shelter. I also had to bring a tote, big buddy heater, 20 pounds of propane, cot, camp chair, shovel, small cooler, auger, and bait. I managed to jam other stuff into the 90L cargo box on the back of the sled,

I got to the lake around 3:00 pm and the first thing that I did was to dig through the snow and check for slush as that would prevent me from setting up. I then drilled a hole and waited to see if water would come up and flood the ice. So far so good, I would be able to set up without getting everything wet. Next I set up a tip up so that I would have line in the water while I set up the shelter. Unfortunately there was a good breeze and it didn’t take long for snow to drift over my hole. Fishing would have to wait.

Before I set up the hut, I opted to clear the area of snow. The snow came off in large firm chunks… which would have made good blocks for making an igloo! I got the hut erected without any trouble (not like last time when it got twisted up) but I made sure to tie it off to the sled first so it wouldn’t blow away before I fastened it down properly.

Before erecting the hut, I first drilled 3 holes. Once the hut was up and secured, I laid out the foam mats, then brought in the rest of the gear. It probably took over an hour before I could wet a line inside.

Inside, I set up a tip-up and a jigging line. The third hole was intended for my underwater camera but I opted to use it for my fish finder instead. My fishing spot was a mid-lake structure complex that topped out at 10’. Previous trips taught me that I would have better luck finding fish along the side so I settled over an area that was 19’ deep.

With 2 lines in the water, I set up the heater and my cot. The heater quickly warmed up the hut and I was able to take off my jacket and bibs. I brought a cell booster with me and set up the antenna on a 12’ tree stem that I had cut just before getting on the ice. I drilled a 2’ deep hole in the ice to support it upright and I used a small booster/battery pack to power the booster. I went from no cell reception to 3 bars which alternated between lte and 3G. So I had text, phone, and internet. I also brought my iPad that I had downloaded some Netflix content to watch later.

As sunset approached, the fishing picked up and k caught about 10 walleye that evening… nothing big. My tip-ups are equipped with lights and buzzers so I know when I have a fish on when my back is turned. I set up 2 of these when I went to bed to wake me up in case a fish bit. I woke up 2-3 times because a finger-size walleye had eyes bigger than it’s belly! Finally I had enough and pulled the lines so that I could sleep.

I woke up the next morning at 7:30 in anticipation of some early action fishing. Despite my early rising, I only caught 3 walleye… around 9:00 am. Afterwards, I started to pack up for the trip home.

The trip wasn’t all fun and games, The wind blew all night and the temp dropped to about -22 and the windchill made it feel like -35. The big buddy heater barely kept up and there was condensation/frost on the walls of the hut. Even the underside of my cot was damp. I went through 20 pounds of propane in about 18 hours. A better option would be a diesel heater.

I ate freeze-dried meals which were fine and I used the heater as a stove to boil water. I ran the cell booster all night which drained the booster pack. My sled has a 22 volt outlet so was able to use it as a backup power source if needed.

Speaking of my new sled, I made a point of starting it periodically (once at 4:00 am) and would let it run for about 15 mins at a time. When starting it, I noticed that I might have to push the starter button a couple of times for it to light up the dash and turn the motor over. I had a big scare when I had everything loaded and was ready to take off… pushed start and nothing!! Removed/replaced the dongle (electronic key), wiggled the kill switch, and kept pushing the start button - nothing! After a long cursed-filled rant and consideration of my options (17km walk) I tried it again and it turned over effortlessly. I thanked God and drove back to the truck without stopping, I don’t know what happened but I’ve read about this happening to others. I will be calling the dealer tomorrow.

[glen]

Sounds like a great trip. I’ve overnighted in a permanent hunt a few times. I was thinking next time I’d get a room on shore and just go to the hut during the day.

[BoltgunBill]

Sounds like a fishing trip for the dedicated brave outdoorsman. Congrats on successful fishing and your safe return. Not sure I could endure 17km walk across a frozen lake at those temps.

[tom gobble]

At the end of the day, you returned home safe and have a story to tell. Good job.

[Species8472]

Sound like a good trip. Maybe a loose connection on the ignition circuit somewhere. I have a 2018 Expo and have never had that happen. I don't bother starting it even if it is very cold - those 4-stroke 900 ACE engines with automotive style fuel injection seem to start effortlessly every time for me as long as battery is good. Left it out once for two nights in row with air temps (windchill not included) at -38 and it started right up at that temp. I would definitely get it looked at as something is not right.

[huntnmachine]

Thanks for bringing us a long on your adventure Sam

[Sam Menard]

[QUOTE=I would definitely get it looked at as something is not right.[/QUOTE]
I sent an email to the dealer… waiting for a response. Will let you know what they say.