Ice fishing is a recreational activity for many and an important source of food for people living in very harsh environments.
Ice fishing can be performed in open or in heated enclosures.
Small fishing trips can be easy and do not require lots of equipment but large fishing trips can require a lot of heavy equipment and structures which increase the load of many folds.
So, finding the right snowmobile for traveling with the load becomes very important.
Snowmobile Requirements for Ice Fishing
There are a few criteria to be considered while looking for the perfect snowmobile for ice fishing and the most important ones are mentioned below.
Load Capacity
As ice fishing requires a lot of equipment to be pulled, the major factor that will decide the snowmobile is the pulling capacity.
For increased load-bearing capacity, it is better to choose a snowmobile with a powerful engine.
For extended trips, the weight of the tent and other gear is essential to keep the hole open in the ice as adds up to the initial weight of the rig.
So, a powerful vehicle with the ability to run in powdered snow and ice sheets will be necessary. The best fit will be to choose a utility snowmobile.
It should have enough load-bearing capacity to easily carry ice fishing racks and ice fishing heaters and run smoothly.
Space
A low rider with high power will not be sufficient if it does not have enough space to carry all the necessary gear like an underwater camera, GPS, etc.
So, it is important that the snowmobile has provisions for attaching cargo-sleds or other trailers for carrying the gear for fishing and also the fish while returning from the trip.
Type of Snowmobile
In general, it is possible to use any snowmobile for ice fishing but, comfort becomes a very important factor.
Touring snowmobiles can be used at large for ice fishing trips as they are designed for low-speed rides on trails. The long tracks they feature will be good for ice fishing trips.
Utility models are more suitable for ice fishing as they have enormous power which can haul loads with ease. They also have long and wide tracks which are geared really low for better grip in extreme conditions.
Cooling System
It is important to have an air-cooled vehicle for ice fishing as running for long hours with heavy loads is a prerequisite.
In general, liquid cooling systems are not preferred because they get jammed up during long rides even with good snow while air-cooled systems do not require snow but work better with it.
The use of ice scratchers also enhances their performance. Air-cooled systems also require lesser maintenance when compared to ones with liquid cooling systems.
Track Length and Width
It is very important for an ice fishing snowmobile to have a high track length and width. Although it reduces the maneuverability of the vehicle, the ride is more comfortable. It also increases the grip required to use the full power of the engine if required.
Fuel Capacity
For long rides at low speeds, it is important to have a good fuel capacity for the vehicle, especially in the snow. This is very important as refueling in the middle of the ride is difficult and also not possible in some situations. So, it is important to choose a vehicle with a high-powered engine and good fuel capacity during ice fishing trips.
Cost
The best snowmobile for ice fishing depends on the requirements as so does its cost.
For a snowmobile with high power and good fuel capacity in addition to the provisions for attaching trailers, the cost will be high.
The cost also varies based on the model and brand of the snowmobile. So, it is important to have a clear set of requirements to get a fix on the budget.
Best Snowmobile for Ice Fishing
Ski-Doo Expedition SE
The snowmobile comes with a LinQ utility cargo box of 135-liter capacity and fits on all rev gen4 20″ and 24″ sleds.
The cargo box is fully LinQ attached thus quite easy to remove the box or put it back on the sled depending on your needs like fuel carry or another LinQ bag for more cargo space. 4 LinQ anchors can be added to install 16″ LinQ accessories.
It is a versatile machine as it provides trail riding with a passenger. The sled comes with a setup with a passenger seat that can be removed for more cargo space on the rear seat.
It comes with a 154 by 20-inch track with a 1.5-inch ice cobra wt and a 1.8-inch ice cobra wt. The rear suspension is equipped with an articulated rail to maximize deep snow traction in reverse or locked out when towing.
The Expedition SE ACS (Air Control Suspension) with five levels of adjustments also comes along with the new HPG shocks that offer more capability in a wider variety of terrain.
The pilot 7.4 skis are entirely redesigned for improved reverse capability, wider for better deep snow performance, and more flotation for increased aggressiveness to progress overall performance.
The expedition SE comes with a new easy-shift transmission. The reverse button is provided on the handlebar along with the forward button.
I am quite surprised that what the company has achieved to do with this product. For me, it’s an absolute steal of a deal. I am in love with this!
Polaris Voyager 155
The Polaris Voyager 155 is an all-purpose sport and utility snowmobile with a durable fan-cooled 550cc engine.
The adjustable Pro-Ride front suspension delivers superior ride performance and stable on or off-trail handling for a single rider. RydeFX shocks provide a great riding experience and handling when boondocking.
Indy pro ride seat features a wider surface that provides comfort during long trails on the snow and the seat design allows easy transmission from a seated position to a standing position.
The pro ride chassis is stiff for precise handling making it a perfect choice for a flexible sled ride experience.
The rear suspension features an articulated rail for the best off-trail experience and to prevent trenching in reverse. The Pro float skis provide excellent off-trail floatation and superior on trail steering control.
High floatation 155″ track 1.6″ cobra track features deep lugs that provide the best snow traction and their stiffness ensures impressive trail performance.
The storage option features zippers for the protection of the cargo and is easy to install without any tools. It also comes with the standard under-seat storage.
If I have to be honest, I am quite surprised with the efficient design of this thing. Everything seems to be inch-perfect for me and I think it couldn’t be done any better than this. So, thumbs up from me!
Arctic Cat Pantera 7000
With the Cat Pantera 7000, it is very easy to handle the vehicle in depths. This vehicle can easily float over the pristine snow and also retain the handling when you are in groomed trail condition.
The vehicle, in this case, is broad and is very comfortable for the rider to sit and take long rides. This model has good fuel capacity and is also not very expensive. Most people consider buying this due to the ease of use and low maintenance costs.
It has a 4 stroke engine and is highly useful to carry the required equipment to have a good time ice fishing.
As you are snowmobiling, it is better if you are able to check the vital information regarding your vehicle at all times. The LCD screen gauge allows you to do the same comfortably.
It has 14 different readings including a speedometer, engine hours, battery voltage, intake air temperature, and so on.
With comfort being very important, the backrest is very easy to adjust according to the driver’s preference. The model also comes with a 12-month warranty.
Phew! That was a lot to talk about for me! Now, let me get this straight. This may seem not on par with the rest of the products I’ve discussed so far.
But trust me, considering the price point you are getting this thing, I think it’s worth giving a shot. So in my opinion, if you are on a tight budget, go for this thing and trust me you won’t regret it!
Yamaha VK 540
This is yet another very good snowmobile that can be used for ice fishing. It has a lot of unique features.
As Yamaha is a very famous brand, people get attracted to it easily. It comes in 3 different colors which are black, white and orange. This model has a 2 stroke engine and has a wide and tall windshield and it delivers very good protection for the riders. It has a dual shock suspension feature and is very effective.
It has an LED taillight that is not too bright but works well even in low visibility conditions. This is designed to offer the riders the maximum possible comfort.
When you travel off-trail, the wide ski on this snowmobile delivers good floatation. This has an under-seat storage space that is secure and big enough. You can carry your toolkit and also your first aid kit inside this storage space.
I know that the looks are not that interesting with this thing. I think the company mostly focused on the build quality of the product and man they got it right! I mean, look at this thing, it’s comfortable and if you’re looking for something durable, I think you should go for this.
Ski-Doo Tundra Sport 550
This is one of the latest snowmobiles which can be used for ice fishing. It has the capacity to enable the user to enjoy exceptional deep snow floatation.
It is narrow and has a REV platform to facilitate its users to influence the sled to move freely. Though it is narrow and thin, it is very safe and provides good handling.
This makes it a very good choice. It is not very heavy and has an extended seat which is perfect for 2 riders. It has a speedometer, which is analog, and a digital LCD information screen.
It comes in white color and it looks very stylish. The engine gives the vehicle enough power and has a fan-cooled engine making it suitable for fishing trips. It is very easy to control the Ski-Doo Tundra in deep snow.
The design is versatile and makes the product very long-lasting. It has a very good cargo attachment system and hence you can easily carry cargo bags, snowboards and even skis in them.
Final Words
There are many criteria to choose the best snowmobile for ice fishing and the most important of them are the comfort and requirement for the vehicle.
I’ve already narrowed down the list and you can go with either of them as per your preference.
So, choose a vehicle that satisfies the minimum requirements and also provides a comfortable and fun experience at the right cost.
