I use 14lb fireline crystal with a 6ft 17lb mono leader. When fishing deep water with a short rod ( sounds like the start of a joke ? ) you want to try eliminate as much line stretch as possible for best feel and hookset.
I don't think it's to bad. Once a few drive across in the same track or we get more snow it will be fine.
Drilled some test holes in French Bay yesterday. In front of the boat launch to the shore just north was 9 to 4.5 inches. Going to take the quad out tomorrow.