Practical considerations

[Tom7227]

I am wondering about the practical considerations on owning a wheelhouse. I don't want to get into anyone's face about it, just wondering how practical they are. I live near Bald Eagle and so ease of access isn't an issue for me.

But I wonder how often a wheelhouse could get used. How much ice do you have to have before you can put it out? Once it is in place do most of you leave it where you first put it or do you move it around? How deep of snow or access to roads impact moving it around?

I know many consider it as a place to use other than ice fishing. I am more interested in them strictly from an ice fishing standpoint.

Thanks for your time.

Tom

[Eric Wettschreck]

Tom, it really depends on how you want to roll.

I built a wheelhouse years ago and use it often. Not yet this year cuz not enough ice. My wife would much rather fish out of the wheel house as it offers creature comforts not available sitting on a bucket. It's a toasty place to sleep and I like the smell of bacon cooking in the morning. When my son in law comes to visit we spend a weekend in the wheelhouse and have fun times.

How often you would use it is totally up to you. I like to roam around the lake and find fish but I've noticed as I get older there are times I just want to sit and see what happens. Ice thickness? Depends on the weight of the house. Mine isn't huge and is aluminum so I've put it on 8" of good ice using my 4-wheeler to pull it. I've seen some huge ones that I wouldn't even think about bringing out if I can't drive a full sized pick up.

Moving around- Yes and no. Mine sets up real easy so moving isn't a problem, if I feel like it. If I'm in a bad spot I'll move. If I'm in a decent spot I'll stick around.

Access- Here on the prairie of SW MN the landings can get drifted up pretty good. It's definately an issue. On Lake Shetek there's enough traffic and always a guy with a plow that will clean it off. On Bloody lake, you better get some fishing in early as things wil get so drifted you need a snowmobile to get on the lake.

Some guys love wheel houses while others hate them. You'll definately catch less fish sitting in one spot all weekend in a house than you would running and gunning. It really depends on your mood and what makes you happy.

[Duffman]

From what I can tell, if we get a doozy of a winter snow wise their use can be limited.

[magnum mike]

Wheelhouses are comfortable but are not very flexible. There is a fair amount of work getting them set up so you can be comfortable. Long story short, I can rent a lot of hotel & resort rooms all over the map for far less cost than a nice wheel house AND don't have the expense of towing, storing, stocking, insuring, maintaining and improving one. My opinion...

[Archtek]

I went thru the same thing a few years ago and decided very quickly it didn't pay for me while I was working. I went thru the same thing three years ago when I retired and the decision was a lot harder. But I finally decided against a wheelhouse. It was just too hard for me to justify the cost for the relatively short amount of time I would use it, especially when I am living off S.S. and my investments. If I was rolling in money, I would do it in a second!

My compromise was an insulated Canvas Craft suitcase-type portable so I still had a floor under my feet and could fish in shirtsleeves even when it was below zero outside.

[Boar]

everyone is different. every situation different. I spent 9 weekends in my 20'er last year, it was awsome. Id pul it to shore or home each time. if I do a day trip its ports. they are great for a base camp then run and gun on the ice to search for fish with sleds or wheelers. they are not for everyone, just like everything else they take time and maintenace and money to upkeep and preforming well, extrat things like cables andspare tire, tool kits for repairs and such. its not so much a preacticality thing for me as much as where do i wana spend my time and money. To drop down on the ice friday afternoon, et set up and just kick back crack a beer put your feet up, put on some toones, and really chill the mind in a hotel on ice, I tell it really dosent get better, BBQ with family and freinds ect.. one can do just about anytime of gathering in one like one could do summer camping. there is a learning curve of do's and donts but its all easily learned, like dont get one bigger than one can handle, bigger isnt alway better, love my 20' but that because we entertain alot. but if it was just me and the wify most times a 16' would be just fine. you also dont want a beast thats gona be hard to manuver on ice or push you thru the stop sign if your not paying attention. I also pay for a spot to drop it, plenty of plow men out there resorts ect.. I would rather spend the money to be out on the ice all weekend for peace an solitude than to rent a room or cabin and listen to the party all night. ask yourself first what do you want from your ice fishing experience. Its winter camping for me. Love it.

[traveler]

I have a little 6.5X 12 that is super quick and easy to setup and move...I move more now then I ever did using any other type of house.

I also didn't do much buildup inside so it doubles as a utility trailer on rare occasions. Mine is all aluminum so it's super light, I could pull it with a wheeler if I had one.

A deep snow year is limiting, however. Needing a plowed road is my only real complaint.

[Fowlmouth]

I love mine, not only for ice fishing but the double use for hunting as well. For ice fishing there is nothing slicker. I love to the spend the weekend sleeping in it on the ice. Bring out the bbq, got playoff football on the tv and catching fish = living the life.