When you’re giving your first shot at ice fishing, it’s only normal to feel a little nervous. If the ice breaks, you can fall into freezing cold water and get seriously injured. Thankfully, ice fishing is relatively safe. Even so, it’s worth knowing that you have safeguards available to you if you so choose.
Do ice fishing sleds float? Most ice sleds do, but only to a point. Ice sleds that are lightly loaded can float, but if your load is too heavy, it will sink.
It’s easy to see how learning this little fact can freak out would-be ice fishers. That’s why this guide will help you understand the details before you go out into the wild.
Do Ice Fishing Sleds Float?
For the most part, modern ice fishing sleds are meant to float a little bit. They aren’t meant to be boats, nor are they meant to be fully water-surrounded. However, designers realized that having a little floatation ability can help save time, lives, and also supplies.
That being said, not all ice sleds float on water. This is especially true if you’re dealing with a handmade sled or a sled that’s not truly meant for ice fishing specifically.
Why Don’t All Ice Fishing Sleds Float?
Not all of them do, primarily because of the type of design and build they are. Some ice fishing sleds don’t float because they are primarily used in areas that are frigidly cold and are unlikely to have broken ice. Others, on the other hand, float because they’re made for all-terrain.
Some ice fishing sleds also don’t float simply because they are too heavy to be made floatable without impacting the price. So, if you want a larger sled that floats, expect to pay a little extra.
Why Are Some Ice Fishing Sleds Built To Float?
Ice fishing can be a fairly involved sport, especially when it comes to equipment and gear. A typical ice fishing trip can require quite a bit of equipment, including the following:
- Fishing Rods. You can’t really fish without a fishing pole–at least, not when you’re ice fishing.
- Lures and Bait. A pole with a hook on the end of it isn’t very appetizing to fish. Lures are a must if you want to catch anything.
- Ice Augers. You’re going to need to drill a hole in the ice somehow.
- Collection Buckets. You will need a bucket for any fish you have.
- Snacks and Drinks. Though not necessary but any means, a lot of people prefer to bring them to make the experience a little more fun.
In order to haul all that equipment around, fishermen often use ice fishing sleds. This makes it easier to transport material since sleds can glide over ice. Making sleds capable of floating can help keep goods dry and useful in the event of accidentally crossing over a pool.
What About Ice Fishing Safety? Does That Play A Part In It?
When it comes to a sport like ice fishing, there are a lot of risks involved. Ice fishing requires you to stand on top of the ice, drill a hole in it, and then fish to your heart’s content. The thing is, ice can break and you can lose a lot of equipment through a crack in the ice.
Generally speaking, ice fishing is only done in regions where ice is fairly thick and sturdy. This (thankfully) means that the chance of thin ice breaking is relatively low.
Be sure to check out our complete guide on ice fishing safety for even more tips.
Which Ice Fishing Sleds Float?
This is actually pretty hard to nail down with models since many ice fishermen tend to make their own sleds. That being said, most ice fishing sleds that are sold on the market will be labeled as “floating” or will have specifications dealing with their ability to float.
How To Tell If An Ice Sled Floats
Though testing an ice fishing sled’s ability to float is always the most foolproof method, the truth is that you can often tell whether or not it floats by looking at for the following things:
- Floating sleds that are on the cheaper end of things are usually made of plastic and resemble large pullable buckets. Ice fishing sleds don’t have to be too extreme when it comes to build. Sometimes, the easiest option is also the simplest. Most plastic “bowl” sleds will float.
- Pricier floating sleds may also have styrofoam at the bottom of sled blades. This offer minimal protection from flooding and is meant to make pulling easier. These sleds aren’t as water-safe as the bucket sleds.
- Sleds that don’t float at all are made of metal. Many handmade ice sleds fall into this category.
- Sleds marked as waterproof often float. If there is a seal between the sled’s interior and exterior, then chances are it will float.
How To Avoid Having Your Sled Sink
Having a floating sled is only half the battle. A sled that isn’t loaded or used properly will not stay afloat, even if it’s reinforced with styrofoam or plastic. In order to ensure your goods get to your fishing location safely, follow these tips:
- Load your sled evenly. Too much weight on one end or another can lead to sinking. Distributing your load evenly is a must.
- Choose a sled with high walls. High walls will prevent water from splashing into the sled, which could potentially cause sinking in large quantities.
- Always make sure that your sled is in working order. A floating “bucket” sled will not float if there are holes in it. Broken sleds also won’t function at their optimal level.
- Keep water shallow and make a point of tying your sled to something nearby. Whether it’s a pole jammed in ice far away or a corner of a cabin, having your sled secured to something will prevent sinkings from happening should something go awry.
- Reinforce your sled against water. If you aren’t sure how water-hardy your sled is, you should consider reinforcing it.
- Use common sense. A little common sense can go a long way.
How To Reinforce Your Sled For Water
If you are worried about your ice sled sinking, don’t worry. There are some things you can do in order to make sure your floating sled stays afloat, like these below:
- Reinforce your bucket sled using floating styrofoam sheets. Tying or gluing sheets of floating foam (like the stuff pool floats are made of) to the edges of your sled can help improve the floating qualities of bucket sleds.
- Line your sled rails with styrofoam bottoms, using zip-ties to tie the styrofoam to the actual railing. This is a quick way to turn a non-floating sled into a floating one, within reason.
- Patch up any weak points in your bucket sled before you go. Reinforcing your sled’s interior is a smart way to prevent leaks. After all, holes can happen at any time.
Do You Really Need Your Sled To Float?
Truth be told, in many cases, having a floating ice fishing sled can be a major help. But is it necessary? Not really. In most situations, you won’t really need to have your sled float in order to keep your items safe.
Though it’s a great backup to have, you really don’t need to have a reinforced ice fishing sled to enjoy your time outdoors safely. The fact is that snow and ice are fairly sturdy, especially in northern climates. As long as you pick a particularly brisk day to go ice fishing, you should be alright.