Snowshoes or no snowshoes?, What's your experience?

With all the snow and slush this year on the lakes, I was curious to hear what people have done in years like this regarding the use of (or not) of snowshoes. Are they useful to stay on top of the slush layer at least or do they become a huge ice maker/collector and you end up carrying more weight (and not due to a cooler filled with fish). Just interested to see if anyone uses or have used snowshoes and under what conditions would they be helpful.

I am old now so rarely on foot anymore but 30 or 35 years ago used to do that from time to time based on conditions

Both your scenarios are possible. They can be of great help or ice collectors. Snow on top of slush has to be deep enough and shoe big enough to prevent break through to slush layer. Generally speaking any kind of trail shoe won't work as they are for established trails and don't provide enough extra float. You need a trail breaker size (means biggest you can find).

These in 11 by 38s or 42s would likely do the job:

https://www.sail.ca/en/gv-wide-trail-snowshoes-unisex-170404

Ultimately they are very light and easy to take off and strap to the top of toboggan if they are causing a problem so on days with deep snow with slush beneath probs a good tool to have in your kit.

Not cheap even on sale. Might be able to find good used ones in the off season.

I picked up a pair of snowshoes on sale at Costco 2 years ago (under $100). Not one of the more reputable brands i.e. MSR or Atlas but they have been an invaluable piece of gear for me walking out this season and like Joe mentioned above, packing them in your sled takes little space even if you end up not needing them. I’ve found their greatest use to be breaking a trail in deep snow when there are no existing sled trails to follow. Haven’t had any issues with slush other than some minor build up underneath the spikes occasionally.

These are the updated version of the ones I have: https://www.costco.ca/faber-snowmountain-sn...4000025824.html

fish brookies instead of whities and stay near the launch.

Good thought about the snow shoes. I should pull mine out some day.

IVe used snowshoes for ice fishing and hunting and in deep snow they are a lifesaver. As mentioned before you need the bigger shoes to give you more float and stay on top.
The old style are usually bigger but dont normally have great bindings. IVe even used them for getting into remote speck lakes where no trail existed.
If they do slush up throw them in the sled and carry on.

“Remote speck lakes”….on the mind now.

Thanks for the info. I also have a pair of snowshoes from Costco (the same ones that Mike33 mentioned I am pretty sure at under $100 - they are not bad and easy to put on/take off). But they for sure do not have too muchfloat....I use them around the house to get on top of snow mounds but they do sink down alot than I had expected. But can give it a try one day. I am not going to be able to buy another pair of snow shoes for a while (esp. if they are just for fishing). They are pretty light and so will do what you guys have mentioned.

Notsure where you going but I know lots
Of slush and snow up north .
Think the shoes good idea
People getting stuck with Quads and side by side

Haven't gone to look for brookies yet....once last year and it was a bust (very pretty little stocked lake but didn't see a fish all day even though there were clearly signs people had been there to fish). Same with rainbow trout. Whities have been much kinder to me...as well as lakers it seems this winter.

In Muskoka...lots of snow and slush as a result. Seems to be the case for most lakes around here. And we got a prety decent dumping overnight and more to come over the weekend (I think we must be up over 400cm for the winter as of today...I am losing count of the amount of snow). Will try the snowshoes next time I get to go (lots of snow clearing still to go for tomorrow but at least the car can get out now if needed).

I mean fish brookies where you walk out from to fish whities. Near the launch. Shallow. Close to home

Not many brookies in my main WF lake...so I was told by locals. A few are caught each year but not many. Do you know otherwise?

There is a significant population. Few are caught because few people spend time trying. Odds are way better for lakers and whities for sure.

I’ve seen a few dandies from there last couple years. Any I’ve seen are big and beautiful colours from open water. Still likely to get whitefish/lakers targeting those too.