Snow Dog hits the local ice fishing scene
Local ice fisherman Richard La Rocque sits on his creation, the Snow Dog.
By Ted Pennekamp
A Prairie du Chien man has built a contraption that is sure to draw the attention, and possible admiration, of fellow ice fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts.
The “Snow Dog” was created by Richard La Rocque who tinkered on the project for about one and a half years. The machine was made mostly for hauling Richard’s ice fishing shanty and gear to various parts of the Mississippi River.
The Snow Dog was made from an old Polaris snowmobile and a new 13 horsepower engine from Harbor Freight of La Crosse. Snowmobile parts involved in Richard’s design include the frame, the track, the hand brake and the speedometer.
Richard also designed a steering handle and a sled on runners which is pulled by the front part of the machine. The electric start engine drives a chain, which in turn, drives the track. There are two wheels near the front which serve as stabilizers so the machine doesn’t tip. The driver sits on a fishing boat seat in the sled.
“It sure beats walking, especially in deep snow,” said Richard who noted that one or two more sleds holding his shanty and gear can be hitched up to the sled he sits in.
Dan Blake of Millville bent and welded some of the metal parts in accordance with Richard’s design. Sports World of Prairie du Chien made the metal “Snow Dog” sign on the front of the vehicle.
“It goes 10 miles per hour with two people,” said Richard. “It’s fun to drive. I always thought of making something to pull me out for ice fishing.”
Richard said he hasn’t seen anything around the Prairie du Chien area quite like the Snow Dog. He has seen various designs on websites, however, and also noted that ice fishermen in Russia use similar contraptions. Richard expects a company in the United States will someday manufacture and sell such machines.
Until then, however, the Snow Dog is a unique creation for the pursuit of ice fishing in the Prairie du Chien area. In fact, the Snow Dog might well come to inspire the imaginations of other hard water fishing aficionados.
