Not only soccer moms drive mini vans :)

[PowerHour]

I picked up a Chevy Astro for 700 bucks! It has ice machine wrote all over it. Took the seats out, talk about a vehicle made for ice fishing. I can get ALL my gear inside the cab that locks. No longer walking out to my truck with my fingers crossed in hopes my gear is there.(Live in apartment)Yes windows break but can't prevent everything, out of sight out of mind concept One more advantage its gonna be way cheaper to drive then my 7.3L Powerstroke! So look for my gray Astro at your nearest fishing hole and come say hi! Anyone else rock a mini van for ice fishing?

[inHISgrip]

I rocked the gutted Mini van for 2 years  asmy summer and winter  fishing buggy. Loved it... Only thing was no  4x4

[bluethunder72]

drill some holes in the floor..... add a wood stove... start fishen

[CARTMATT]

My auger somehow always finds a way to leak inside vehicles.....I'm modding my tsc trailer to haul sled and atv. Getting ready! I'm with you, have an 16' enclosed and a 7.3 F250. But the Accord get much better mileage!

[ULking]

My auger somehow always finds a way to leak inside vehicles.....I'm modding my tsc trailer to haul sled and atv. Getting ready! I'm with you, have an 16' enclosed and a 7.3 F250. But the Accord get much better mileage!

You need a propane auger  I've got packing my Jason Mitchell one man in my civic down to a science but got a truck this year

[nate95366]

With 4 kids under 10 yrs old, I have found that minivans are very very good at what I need vehicles to do, and I have found that my Town & Country with fold-in-the-floor seats (Stow-N-Go) is very capable at getting me to the places where I ice fish.  For the record, though, I don't drive it on the ice.  I'd say the time it earned its keep was taking it up to Summit, all the way in and around, with about 10" of snow on the ground and the park roadways.  Good tires and constant thinking about momentum are a must without 4wd, though.

Nate

[bluethunder72]

i drive my crew cab duramax out on the ice .... your van would be fine

[CARTMATT]

i drive my crew cab duramax out on the ice .... your van would be fine

Here in NE, I want tickets for that! About anything front wheel drive does great as long as you aren't high centered. I carry tire chains and a shovel. Drove a Jetta for a while and Now an Accord, both with wide tires. Have ventured into summit and burchard after  6+'' snows and made it out. 

[nate95366]

i drive my crew cab duramax out on the ice .... your van would be fine

I suppose if I was on a big lake well north of here, I would take the old van out on the ice.  I think it would be cool to drive an "ice highway" out on LOTW or Mille Lacs.  However, with 4 young kids, I haven't honestly fished more than 2 hours from the Omaha metro area yet and chances aren't great for this winter. 

One trip that I would be very interested in making, though, would be the Valentine NWR.  But, I don't know just how much 4wd is a requirement for getting around back in there or not....?  This year would still be a stretch, but the Refuge is less than 3 hours from my in-laws (near Broken Bow) so it's got the best chance of any "long distance" trip.

Nate

[bluethunder72]

the Dakotas only     you drive ur car in 6'' wow  ill take tixs for that

[whitetips]

I suppose if I was on a big lake well north of here, I would take the old van out on the ice.  I think it would be cool to drive an "ice highway" out on LOTW or Mille Lacs.  However, with 4 young kids, I haven't honestly fished more than 2 hours from the Omaha metro area yet and chances aren't great for this winter. 

One trip that I would be very interested in making, though, would be the Valentine NWR.  But, I don't know just how much 4wd is a requirement for getting around back in there or not....?  This year would still be a stretch, but the Refuge is less than 3 hours from my in-laws (near Broken Bow) so it's got the best chance of any "long distance" trip.

Nate

Nate,

Most of the time you can get on the Valentine Refuge and ice fish without 4WD.  Pick your days and you will be fine. 

Daryl Bauer
Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]
http://neblandvm.outdoornebraska.gov/category/barbs-and-backlashes/