Looks like it’ll be an ATV

Well, it was interesting results to the ATV vs Snowmobile poll. Out of a 157 votes over the last 5 days, it was…

ATV – 116 (73%) to Snowmobile – 41 (26%)

I thought it would be closer to 50/50. As of right now, I’m going to have to chose one, so I think I will go with an ATV as it will be a little more versatile for me. Maybe down the road, I can add a snowmobile.

Again, it’s a loaded question, but which ATV for ice fishing? Lots of choices, price points, clearance, weight, accessories, racks, etc. I see a lot of Yamaha Grizzly, Polaris Sportsmen, Honda Recon being used.

Besides personal preference, what advice is out there for choosing one that will be primarily used for ice fishing? What to look for, good, bad, ugly???

You might want to consider how you are going to transport it. Truck bed, open trailer, or closed trailer? This might help you narrow down your specific size.

FDR

I’ll be trailering it with an open trailer. I have a topper on the truck and it’s full of ice fishing gear (sled/shelter) plus hunting gear.

I should add, that I’ve pulled my Otter II Cabin out by hand for years, until its been safe to drive out with the truck. Age is starting to catch up with me and the knees and right shoulder just can’t take a full day of hole hopping.

I’m picking up a new shelter in a week, and the added weight of the new ones compared to mine (1998 Otter II Cabin – 55lbs), they are about twice the weight (103 or 124 lbs), is pushing me to finally look at an ATV.

You can buy a brand new Polaris Sportsman 500HO for under 5 grand right now. Pretty tough to beat that.

I’ve also been looking and I am really starting to lean towards the Arctic Cats.
Everyone I’ve talked too that has one is 1005 positive and they have a great rack system and fantastic ground clearence.
Just something to confuse you… and me.
Happy shopping

I have a Sportsman that I’ve been riding for 10 years now. It has been a good machine for me. I would buy another.

My buddy owns a carbureted Arctic Cat. Walk past it during the summer with a snow cone and it won’t start. It does not like the cold. Outside of that, it’s a really nice machine. Another buddy owns a Suzuki Big Bear(?). That is a really nice machine in that it rides really nice.

As I have gotten older, the ride has become more important to me.

Good luck!

I started looking for an ATV yesterday for ice fishing. Figure i’ll get a trailer first, one with enough room to put some extra stuff on the trailer besides just an ATV.

Haul all my ice fishing gear in my truck. ATV on the trailer.
Get to the landing, hook up trailer to ATV, put stuff on trailer and GO.
I’m going to go cheap and try to keep it under $2,500 if possible.

I had one of the first 500 Sportsman. In 2008 I bought another only with fuel inj. and was X2,good for more room for equipment. Just take care of them. Change oil,fluids and inflate tires. I dont know why but the tires never seem to hold air not that they go flat but 5lbs. of air isn’t much. And I have never had chains for either of mine and have never got stuck. Fatfish Jerry

The numbers surprised me too. I guess the ATV guys never drive uncharted territory or at night … if so the open cracks/breakers will eat them up. Not to mention snow and slush. A snowmobile is the only way to travel safely after dark on ice IMO. You can get a nice snowmobile for $1000. That’s cheap insurance if you ask me. For that price you can buy your wheeler for the rest of the year too.

My neighbor fishes right out in front of his house. He drives the same path every day. One evening 6:00pm headed home he dropped the front wheels of his ATV in a fresh crack and flipped him right off. He’s about as safe as they come and it happened to him. I got dozens of those stories. It’s not about who’s right or wrong here. All I know is ATV’s do not handle cracks and they are a fact of life while on the ice. Take this for what it’s worth.

Used ATV’s will be priced a little higher right now with hunting season in full swing. I went with a Yamaha Grizzly 700 with Power Steering, I wanted quality & reliability…They haven’t changed much on the Grizzly lineup in 8 years..so it’s proven..

I’d go with a Sportsman, if possible. I have a ’97 and ’95, both have over 4k miles, and both run perfectly. Grease them regularly, change the fluids, and you’ll be fine. They both handle the snow well, to a certain depth, and trailer like a dream. Also, one has a solid rear axle, and the other has the independent rear suspension. I agree that if you want tow a permanent, go with the solid rear axle.

Anyone of you run a 3 wheeler for ice fishing? I had a big red 250 and it was great. looking again for a used rig leaning towards another Honda 3 atc for deer hunting and ice fishing.