Drilling Holes when Ice Fishing

Back in the day, anglers used an iron bar, an axe, or an ice chisel to pick ice until they broke through. Times change, and with an auger, you can drill an ice hole in a few seconds to minutes.

Four Factors to Consider for a Good Ice Hole

  1. The Right Size: When drilling an ice hole, ensure it is big enough to allow you to fish comfortably and get big fish out of the water, but not too big that it can pose a hazard.
  2. Keep Clear of Snow and Ice: The ice hole can quickly freeze, and to avoid this situation, keep your ice hole tidy and scoop out the slush regularly.
  1. Safety: If you are unsure about the hole's radius, be mindful that the only thing that is supporting you is ice, and you could slip and fall in.
  2. Drill in the Right Place: Navigating across ice-covered lakes can be tricky. Drilling in the right place will ensure safety and a good ice fishing experience.

Five Steps to Drilling Ice Holes

  1. Mark the Place: If you are using a hand auger, use a spud bar or an ice chisel to make a small hole in the spot and then drill using the auger. It will increase stability and ensure your auger is controllable.
  2. Have a Good Grip: While ice fishing, you'll spend plenty of time on the sheet ice. It is ideal to have a good pair of ice fishing boots to provide you with extra grip and safety.
  3. Place Your Auger: Be it a hand or an electric auger, place the tip into the small hole you created, press it gently, and hit the throttle.
  1. Start Your Auger: Augers have sharp blades that can easily cut through the ice and create a hole. Have a good grip and let the augers do their work.
  2. Keep the Ice Hole Clean: Use an ice scoop to remove the slush from the hole to avoid freezing it.

Five Tips to Drilling Holes in Ice Fishing

  1. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, taking a few precautions while on ice will ensure a safe and enjoyable fishing experience.
  2. When scouting, mark the area's stumps and rock piles to help you when the lake is frozen.
  3. Remember, the ice is thinner where there is fast-running water. Stay away from inlets and outlets on the lake to avoid stepping on thin ice.
  1. Ice fishing needs more precision than open-water fishing. Use a depth indicator to find the ideal depth to fish. Usually, they are two to four feet from the bottom of the lake.
  2. Warm up your auger blades if you have difficulties drilling a hole. Carry a portable heater or set the auger outside in the sun for a while.

The thickness of ice and the ideal ice hole radius.

  • 4-6 inches of ice = A maximum of 8 inches of ice hole
  • 6-8 inches of ice = A maximum of 10 inches of ice hole
  • 18-24 inches of ice = A maximum of 12 inches of ice hole

Ice Hole Patterns That Make All The Difference


When you are ice fishing, the type of hole pattern will depend on the preference of the angler and their targeted fish. Be precise with the hole placement to help cover water efficiently and fish spots thoroughly. Here are some of the popular ice-hole patterns used by ice-fishing anglers.

1. The Line

When ice fishing, drill a line of holes to find the location of a drop-off. You can use portable sonar to identify bottom changes and drill holes closer together to find fish-holding spots. Keep the pattern irregular to avoid drilling more than necessary. Single holes and short lines are also great for hitting key GPS waypoints without drawing unwanted attention to your secret fishing spots.

Pro-tip: Carry an extra auger battery to have enough energy for the day. Leave the battery in a warm place to get the most out of it.



2. The Zig Zag

By zigzagging along a drop-off, anglers can jig at various depths on a prime part of the structure. Mid-lake humps, points, flats, and secondary breaks are all excellent areas to use this pattern. Weed beds are also a prime candidate for zigzagging. Adjust the hole spacing to hit just inside the vegetation, close to the edge, and some adjacent open water. These are three main zones to jig or position set lines for walleye, northern pike, and panfish.



3. Grids and Squares

Anglers use a grid pattern of holes to target fish in proven spots. It allows multiple anglers to intercept fish and is useful when targeting suspending crappies on deep flats as they tend to push towards isolated reefs and points. Peppering a mid-lake hump with a grid serves walleye and lake trout anglers well. Grids and squares give them more holes to track predator fish movements as they chase the bait.



Three Ways to Stop Your Ice Fishing Holes from Freezing

  • Regularly remove the slush using an ice scoop or ice chisel.
  • Using insulated ice hole covers is helpful.
  • Keep the ice hole warm in an ice shanty or use hot water or a heated can.

Auger Maintenance Tips

Regular auger maintenance help blades stay sharp, perfectly aligned and attached to the shaft. This step will also decrease the chances of gathering rust and excessive wear.

Blade Care for Hand and Power Augers

  1. After each use, wipe the blades dry and spray a small amount of oil on the cutting edge.
  2. Keep the blade intact when you are not using the auger.
  3. Check and tighten the blade screws before you begin to drill ice holes.

Power Auger Care & Maintenance

  1. For the best performance, let the engine warm up for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Check the spark plug every 100 operating hours.
  3. Keep any loose clothing away from the auger to prevent injury.
  4. Check the manufacturer’s manual for the oil and fuel mixture.
  5. Don’t let the engine run while transporting the auger to another location.
  6. Firmly close the vent on the fuel cap after drilling the holes.
  7. Clean and re-oil the auger after every 25 operating hours or every three months. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s manual on air filter cleaning.
  1. When filling the fuel tank, leave at least half an inch below the filler neck to allow fuel expansion.
  2. Tighten collar bolts and blade screws before each use.
  3. For long-term storage of your auger, use fresh fuel mixed with a stabilizer to prevent varnish buildup. Avoid running the engine dry and fill the tank with at least 1/4 of the tank with fresh, stabilized fuel. Run the engine for 5-10 mins, turn off, and open the fuel cap slightly. You can run it once a month for 5-10 minutes for optimal storage.