Size of the Ice hole

[David/MN]

I can't seem to find a good reference on what size hole is the best for all round fishing. I like the largest so that there is lots of room for the tranducer and such. I was talking to someone today that told me that the hole should be no bigger than 8" so the fish can't turn around and make a run for it. I have also heard that 7" is big enough....... What are you thinking, worried about losing stuff down the hole?

Thanks
dw

[tbomn]

Put all of that information together and then decide what you want. All the info is relevant, and has marit. I use an eight inch auger and find that it is just right.

I've heard if you got a power auger, go big.
If you're turning the auger by hand, 7" is about as big as you want to go, unless you're Popeye.

[Walleye Express]

DW.
If your going to be fishing mainly for perch and panfish, a 6, 7, or 8 inch hole will be fine, always. An 8 inch would also be adequate for walleye in most circumstances. I find the problem comes when you have really thick ice, and why I prefer the 10 inch hole for walleye. When the ice is thin (lets say 12 inches thick) a large fish cannot get his tail wedged in the hole before his head is coming up and out of the water. Of course by then its to late. You either have him grabbed or gaffed. But if the ice is 25" plus, he can indeed wedge his tail as he comes up and through the hole. Now you have to either go hand diving, or get the gaff in behind him. I have never seen a big walleye that could turn around in the hole either. He may wedge his tail and pull himself back through the bottom of the hole, but turned around? Another hint. I bought myself a little 4 inch auger that I cut a hole between the two 10 incers with. This is where I put the ol'FL-8 Vexilar transducer. This little 4 inch Mora cuts through the ice like butter.

[Eyez]

Most people will tell you that an 8 inch hole is plenty big, me included. Some people prefer bigger ice holes, but I don't like having a bunch of 12 inch holes around for me to put my boot through in the dark or if they get filled with snow. I have yet to catch anything in SD that I can't pull through an 8 inch hole.

Eyez

[curt quesnell]

Dave,

The only reason I use an 8 inch auger is because I can step into
a 10 inch hole (and seem to whenever there are 10 inchers around)
The bigger the better for fishing through, but for me 8 inches
does the job for any fish I hunt for.

Curt Quesnell

The wife says shes satisfied with the 8"er...no need to go any bigger! :+

>The wife says shes satisfied with the 8"er...no need to go
>any bigger! :+

She'd think different after fishing with me!!!

I have a 10" auger and love it! Fished with a ten inch hole for 10 years now and have never stpped into it.

Just a thought, but can a small child fit through a 10 inch hole? My leg sure does. Might be something to think about.