ATV or SnowMobile for ice fishing

[Wanderer]

Nothing beats a snowmobile in snow.

Best used sled under $2500? The one that was taken care of the best. Look at the overall condition of the sled (obviously) and the condition of the sellers other stuff.

If something seems funky, it probably is.

For a strictly fishing sled you could stay with a nice fan cooled two up. Longer track for grip, extra seating for a friend, good gas mileage, and you can run them in warmer temps and less snow. Liquid cooled engines need cold and snow over the heat exchangers to run well.

[Dave S]

$2500 will get you a nice sled and possibly a studded track. That might be something else to think about after reading posts of guys getting stuck in the slop even with sleds.

When you find something that interests you within your budget, check back here or in the sled forum and the guys will be sure to help you out with any questions or concerns about a particular model.

I'm not really brand loyal so I wouldn't be of much help suggesting a particular brand/model.

[BoxMN]

iCanoe, I am new to sledding, and ended up with two, one a 2002 Yammie Venture 600 - 2 up with electric start and reverse. I think it is a great sled for fishing, and it can "go" too I think you should be able to get one with reverse and low miles and really great shape for that price, and I recommend reverse for sure.

Other than that, I am rookie so not much help, but go read the posts in the sledding forum, cause those folks really know their stuff and helped me alot. Have fun!

[Caleb S]

Go with a Yamapolarcat. It's pretty much my favorite snowmobile.

[Derrek Caflisch]

If a 299cc polaris hawkeye can run tracks for two hundred miles in one season climbing mountains with zero drivetrain issues, including the drive belt, then anyone's existing atv can become a great icefishing tool. Just ask the owners of the numerous sleds I've pulled out of snow that was too deep or that found a slush pocket. I'd buy the sled first because of the money issue but would try to get something more reliable later.

[KTapper]

They both have their advantages and disadvantages. With a atv you can pack more gear on the front and back racks, and you can use the atv in the winter and summer that is a big plus but the negitive is possibly getting stuck in deap snow. Snowmobile like I saw above studs would be awesome with its just ice no snow, and you could also use the snowmobile for recreation and you can get a nice snowmobile for less cash compared to an atv. If you asked me a few years ago I would say go for the snowmobile, but I would say atv because the winter snows are to inconsistant. Also the atv can be used all year long.

[fishNcrappie]

my vote would have to be for ATV. i use mine year round...hunting, just havin fun. as mentioned before,can haul more gear. although last weekend i went to a local lake with wheeler and wanted to get away from the crowd. so i broke through bank of plowed road on ice. well, 5 feet later i was stuck. foot of snow plus 6 inches of slush. with that said, i have seen snowmobiles get stuck as well.