ATV for Ice Fishing

[tip_upclyma]

I am thinking that I need to invest in a cheap ATV to get me around on the ice this winter. If I am a 200 lb. man, what size would i need to get to haul my fat a$$ and my Yukon around? I don't need anything fancy, but it would need to be able to do the job. Any ideas???? Thanks!

[jigging-matt]

I would say you would be fine with a 400. I have a 400 and pull my Voyeager around with no problems. I used to be just a shade over 200 (down to 175 now). But a 400 has more than enough power for your needs.

[folke2000]

I have both a 500 cc Arctic Cat and a 250cc Arctic Cat. Both are 4wd, and both would do what you are looking. Actually, the 250 is a little more nimble, and seems a lot lighter to move around. These also can be had fairly cheap. I've always said, that if I could only have 1, the 250 would be just fine.

Good luck in whatever you buy. Good luck fishing.

Folke

[toughguy]

It depends on how far you want to drag it and how deep the snow is. I used to use a 185 and it worked fine. I now use a sled so I don't have to worry about the snow.

[tip_upclyma]

I am thinking that I need to invest in a cheap ATV to get me around on the ice this winter. If I am a 200 lb. man, what size would i need to get to haul my fat a$$ and my Yukon around? I don't need anything fancy, but it would need to be able to do the job. Any ideas???? Thanks!

Another Question...is 4WD a must??? or can you chain up the tires and get away with 2wd?

[Sandmannd]

Go with the 4WD if you can. I got one last year, it's a '92 yamaha grizzley 450 4x4. Love it. I'm a big dude and it hauled my butt, a buddy on the back and my otter at about 40mph. Much easier on the back than pulling it. I got mine for $1100. Stuck about another hundy into an oil change and carb kit and it's a great machine.

[tip_upclyma]

Go with the 4WD if you can. I got one last year, it's a '92 yamaha grizzley 450 4x4. Love it. I'm a big dude and it hauled my butt, a buddy on the back and my otter at about 40mph. Much easier on the back than pulling it. I got mine for $1100. Stuck about another hundy into an oil change and carb kit and it's a great machine.

Thanks...yeah, C-list is where I was at and realized that I better know what I am looking for. I am hoping to be in the 800-1000 range for an old reliable.

[Snake River King]

get a 4 wheel drive that is a must. other than that a 250cc or bigger should be all you need, but if you want to use it for more than just ice fishing than i would look at a 400cc or bigger cuz you can never have too much power

[pegleg]

Also invest in a set of chains for the back - money well spent. On glare ice it will get you going quicker if you are pulling any amount of weight in your sled. Also going up and down the boat ramps to get on and off the lake gives you better traction for stopping and starting.

[PerchJerker]

I use a 500cc 4wd and have chains on the back, I pull an Otter Lodge which is a good sized house and pretty loaded down with gear.

I think any atv is going to work great until you get 6 inches of snow. From 6 to 10 inches is when the hard pulling starts and the chains even in 4wd can really help out. Once you get past 10 to 12 inches of snow an atv won't have enough ground clearance to get around well at all ..... unless you put tracks on it.

[dairyman]

I've got a 400 and I pull 8 foot logs out of my woods with it and yes its 4 wheel drive

[WinterHaven]

You want to stay with a 4x4, I used one last winter and it has a push button for 4 wheel or 2 wheel and the 2 wheel wouldn't move me in 7 inches of snow and the 4 wheel pulled me everywhere without a problem.

[harvey lee]

I agree totally with PerchJerker. I also use the chains on a Cat 400 4X4.

[rundrave]

ive never heard anyone with a 4x4 atv say man I really wish I would have bought a 2wd...

however I have heard the exact opposite several times

[Turkeynate1]

4X4 all the way. I have a sportsman 500 and love it. I don't bother with the chains. I have pretty aggessive tires for the snow and glare ice isn't an issue pulling my Magnum Otter loaded with goodies. Go with the 4X4 you won't be disapointed.

[fishNcrappie]

weight wouldnt be an issue long as you have 4 wheel drive. i've seen bigger guys on 250cc pulling their stuff around no problem. definantly go with 4 wheel drive. you'll find differant use for it in all 4 seasons