ATV for Ice Fishing

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I am looking at buying an ATV for mainly ice fishing and hunting and was looking for some recommendations. I want to buy a new one and spend $5000 or less. I have been looking at the Arctic Cat 375 Automatic and actually have been leaning towards this machine. I orginally wanted to buy a Polaris but after looking at the different machines I decided Polaris' were not as nice as I orginally thought. Their Sportsman's models are nice but they are more than I need and too expensive. If people could give comments on the Arctic Cat 375 automatic, Arctic Cat 400 manual, and the Polaris 325 Magnum I would appreciate it. Any other recommendations would also be helpful, but I am looking to spend around 5 grand. Thanks for the info.

Mille Lacs Guy

[Inlander]

Regardless of the brand I would highly recommend a quad with shaft drive. Lower maintenance and more reliable to boot!

[rock2me]

I'm in the same situation. I have been looking between the Arctic Cat 375 and the Honda Rancher ES 400 4x4. The Cat has independent rear suspension that I like and it is a little cheaper. I really am not sure which way to go.

If I choose Honda I know the resale value is there. The Cat's resale value is probably not as good - not sure about that though.

Let me know what you pick up. I think the Cat was going for $4800 at Tousley Motor Sports in White Bear Lake. (Not exactly sure on the price as I have looked at so many different machines over the last couple of months) What kind of pricing have you gotten? I'll go anywhere for the right deal.

Good Luck!

[THUMPER]

You cannot go wrong with Honda. If the price is a little more I would suggest paying it. Our group runs all different types and by far I prefer the Honda even over my Yamaha Kodiak.

[Mckoz]

I also am looking - am leaning towards the Honda but all my buddies have either Yamaha or Polaris.

I am open to suggestions.

Thanks

[Magic_Marker]

I bought the Honda Rancher last year and love it. You can get a 2 wheel drive for 3900 or the 4 wheel drive i have for 4700. We haul deer out two at a time with it. Dan

[Bumble Bee]

For another idea, take a look at six wheel all teriran vihicals. I have a Max six wheeler and have been very happy with it. It doesn't go fast and its not the best for trail riding but if you want something that will get you there and floats you can't beat them. I do lots of hunting and fishing, wether your going out in the swamp to retrive a deer or heading out on lake Erie its the safest and will go anywhere.

[BradB]

I've been discussing this very same question on a different board for the past week or so. To my mind, some of the fellas have given me a lot of good info. I've yet to make up my mind, but you'll find some intersting data on ground clearance and other good links here:

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum56/HTML/000008.html

[slick2526]

If it was up to me i would fork out the extra cash and get a bombadier 4-wheeler. Best you can get :)

[Kaz]

Millie Lacs: Think about a Kawaski Mule great machine and is a real work horse. Another option. Check it out. Good luck DECIDING....Kaz

[WetWilly]

Mille Lacs Guy, I'm sure any of your three choices would turn out to be excellent machines, if I were you I would go with the Cat 375 Auto. It is a nice riding machine, good power and should do everything you need it to. I live in Thief River where they are built and there becoming quite popular with the locals. Good Luck and email me if you have any questions. Ryan

[Brimson]

If this is your first ...go for it all. Buy a Polaris HO 400 or 500. I have a 400 an a 500 Kids...wife NE MN these are necessities. Snow and cold they do not fail. Last year could have made lots o $ pulling foreign scrap off the lake. The 500 is a Ducks Unlimited ride. Beautiful!!!!! The guy bragging about 2 deer Ha Try 2 nice size deer 2 guys on front rack and myself in control ot the 500 up St. Louis Co. hills swamps and most importantly the rocks big huge ground clearance racks torque . It sells itself, it doesn't need me.

From the true heart of NE MN

Brimson PS whatever you buy pay the extra and get Hand/thumb warmers A MUST

[Mckoz]

I've been seeing that a lot of you opt for the big 400 and 500 machines? Why go so big?

[Brimson]

The 400 and the 500 can plow pull push drag all they want. I guess it could be overkill if all you want to do is ride in a field or out on the ice once in a while. These machines can do all that and still have plenty of reserve if the situation arises. For most of my buddies and I we use these machines for all jobs and most pleasures. Tonight mine will move my fish house down to the lake (it is 8 x 8 and on skids) I will plow the spots my truck couldn't get to I will bank some snow for my kids to play on and I will pull them on their sled till they say stop (which they rarely do) I can't say enough about times when underpowered machines step outside of their envirment and the fun ride turns into spoiled dreams and in some cases a ##### nightmare. Some say driver/operator error yeah but most times it was lack of machine. Put Jeff Gordon in a solar powered car and he'll dominate nascar....nah. Why put yourself in that position

Brimson ps I do not care for Gordon Jarrett is my man

[rock2me]

Mille Lacs Guy or BradB,

I have decided on the Arctic Cat 375 4x4. Where can I get the best prices in the Twin Cities area? What have you guys been quoted for $$?

I desperately need to increase my CI.

Good Luck!

[Mille Lacs Guy]

Delano sports center was at $4899. But I'm getting a 375 auto up in Longville for a little cheaper. From what I understand everyone is within $50 to $100 of each other for prices. Most dealers have specials on 2500# winches, usually they are $450 and they are selling them for $69 plus installation or you can do it yourself.

[SoDakMac]

I have a Polaris 400 that I bought new in ’96. I use it for a lot of different jobs from spraying, hauling wood, hunting, and pushing a lot of snow in the winter. We use it for ice fishing early and late in the season. I have had very good luck and would buy another one. 4-wheel drive is a must.

[BradB]

Sorry, but I don't know where the best price is.

Brad