sled or atv?

[lilwalter]

If you could only have one for pulling your porty, what would you get? Looking at a 2-up sled or 500 4x4 atv. Love to have one of each but that's not going to happen. Help me decide folks-thanks.

[PerchJerker]

I use an atv, because I have an atv that I use for other things all year long. The atv works great until you get about a foot of snow, after that it's really limited. If I was buying one strictly for ice fishing I would go with a sled for sure.

[DAWBSKI]

I have a grizzly 660 with big paddle tires and it is a great machine can go though deep snow and haul all my gear.

[jwmiller33]

if i was buying specifically for ice fishing, i'd get a sled, without a doubt. if i had a bunch of other uses i needed it for, specifically in the summer months, it would be a much tougher decision

[Rippinlip]

ATV, hands down for me. Deep snow is one thing, how about those early and late ice slush filled areas. I would rather have an All Terrain Vehicle Once you own one, you WILL use it all year long and wonder how you ever lived without one.

Mark

[DrSwiftwater]

I agree with Rippin. An ATV can be used 365 days a year, whereas a sled is useless at least 7 months out of the year. And as far as deep snow with an ATV...you can always buy tire chains and/or a plow for it. However, if you're looking for a vehicle strictly for pulling your portable, you won't be disappointed with a sled.

[aa8shot]

Atv all the way. even if you end up with alot of snow, chances are the wind and or maybe a Jan. thaw will pack the snow. Last year on Big spirit in N/W iowa, lots of snow and I never got stuck on mine.plus they are loads of fun on summer trails.

[terryt]

atv with tracks. you can go through anything and also they claim there is only 3-4 pounds per square inch on the ground so you could use it on early ice and not have to worry.

[markharo]

Well, tracks cost an additional $3000 to $4000 for an atv. but i just bought a brand new atv last year, and couldnt use it on mille lacs for most of the year due to too much snow. I would get a sled if i were you. You can find a decent used sled for half of what a used Atv cost.

[munchy71]

If you could only have one for pulling your porty, what would you get? Looking at a 2-up sled or 500 4x4 atv. Love to have one of each but that's not going to happen. Help me decide folks-thanks.

What Markharo said. We were on Waubay a few years ago during that February blizzard and quads were absolutely useless. Spent more time diggging them out than fishing. I bought a sled after that and haven't looked back. A properly equipped sled can even run on glare ice as long as you keep the speed down and lube the hy-fax with dish soap.

Everyone says get an ATV so you can use it all year long, but mine only comes out a couple of times all spring, summer and fall....... Obviously, your mileage may vary

-Munchy

[Learning2Fish]

I've been trying to decide to get a sled or atv also. Overall you do get more for your money with the possible use of the ATV, but then the town frowns upon you driving a ATV a block down to the lake pulling your portible. Also its been tough to find a cheaper priced ATV or sled in the area. Mainly was looking for either that just ran and not brand new. I thought the ATVs would be able to do better with the deep snow. Do the chains help then or do you still get stuck?

[Casey Sunsdahl]

Snowmobile is the only way to fly if you fish alot..

And I second you could find a decent price on a used one usually..

[stifler51]

my dad was looking at the Clist awhile back and saw a 01 or 02 Arctic cat zr500 with only 1800 miles on it and looked brand new for 1500$ obo. So picking up a sled wont completely kill the bank

[Eric Wettschreck]

This topic comes up a lot and it’s a tough choice to make if you can only have one. It’s very situational for every individual. I used to have a sled and a wheeler. Had to get rid of one a few years ago and I dumped the sled. Which ever way you go, it’s a fairly major investment so think it over good before you pull the trigger on either one.

Ask yourself what situations you will be in the most and you will answer your own question.

Where I live I went with the wheeler for the following reasons;

1. The snow coverage here (SW MN) isn’t (normally) what it is “Up Nort” and usually the ATV will get me around all winter.

2. I can hook the Otter up to the wheeler, drive a couple of blocks, and I’m on the ice. No loading/unloading. I can drive it right down the township road with no snow cover and I’d never do that with a sled.

3. I use my ATV for more than just ice fishing. It gets used for hunting, fishing, lawn work, moving trailers, walking the dog, pull starting trucks, jerking stumps out of the ground, etc.

Having said this, last winter in early December I went on a trip “Up Nort” and I had to ride double with a friend on his sled. There’s no way my wheeler would have worked in that particular situation without destroying the trail we used to get from the cabin to the lake.

For me, in my situation, the ATV is the way to go. If I lived where the snow cover is deeper I’d definitely go snowmobile.

This is most of my ice fishing. Notice the little amount of snow cover and this is mid January.

However, shortly after that pic was taken I was in this situation. Thank GOd I had my Big Dipper on me to use as a shovel or I'd still be digging myself out.

[leech~~]

I agree with Fishing V, a sled is the only way to go for pulling a porty in the winter. I have an ATV and a Sled, but once the snow flys the ATV is stored. A long track 2 up works great and you can bring a buddy along. I have helped to many ATV's push out of the deep snow to know not to use one. When your miles out on Milac's or other big lakes when the snow is drifted, take my word. You would wish you had a sled!

[Eelpout08]

a sled is as blast when there is enough snow! you will probably get more use out of the atv though. but like everyone else said when the snow gets deep an atv wont get you very far. i would buy either one and make friends with someone who has the other! you can always buy a nice atv and get an old sled for dirt cheap to use for ice fishing. i have had plenty of 1970's arctic cats and they get the job done, just cant show off as much!

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I have both and prefer the ATV as long as I am able to use it.

The ATV rides smoother, has much more carrying space for gear, and can also haul a buddy plus pull a couple of houses.

But, once the snow gets deeper then one foot it can be a real hassle even with chains on. That is when the two-up sled is the only way to go.

The ATV also can be used all summer.

I have a 500 Arctic Cat ATV and a 500 Polaris Indy Trail.

Cliff

[JeffB]

ATV and get a good set of chains.

[Meat-Run]

Like Jeffb stated ATV and chains and you can do just about anything unless we get 2ft of snow'slush. Sleds do have there place but you will get year round use out of the atv over the sled easier to justify to the boss-lady too!

mr

[leech~~]

I guess the other thing I would say about the two is, not sure about you. But my 4 cycle ATV does not start at 10- below as good or if all as my 2 cycle sled does. 4 cycles are cold blooded! One of the great things to hear when your miles out on a lake at 10- or more below in the dark at the end of a long day of fishing. Is to hear that engine start up! Aaaah!

[Meat-Run]

A very valid point there Leech--, it does depend on where or how you fish that you should take into account on your mode of transportation.

mr

[Nathansdad]

If you are a serious ice fisherman a sled is the only way to go. I have a rack on the back of mine that I put my fish trap, auger, and the rest of my gear on. I do not have to drag anything. This means I can drive 50+mph and move much more efficiently. This works extremly well when there is deep slush present. A sled also makes it much easier to cross pressure ridges on the big lakes. It's no fun looking for a spot to cross a pressure ridge on Mille Lacs with a wheeler after dark.

[JeffB]

Yea my Honda rubicon doesn't like to start in really cold temps unless you push the primer a few times. I didn't even know it had a primer for the first year I had it. It's kind of a pain cause you cant reach in with your hand you need a push stick and a flash light at night. As long as I push the primer a couple times in really cold weather it starts right up. For those of you that haven't found it its right on the carb and you have to take the little side panel off to see it.

[munchy71]

This is most of my ice fishing. Notice the little amount of snow cover and this is mid January.

BG, that's PLENTY of snow for a sled.

-Munchy

[Lure Lightning]

I use my atv year round and it is a 500 arctic cat. I told the wife i needed one for plowing the driveway and it worked! I have pulled pleanty of tough things through snow etc. I would recommend chains for the lakes.