How to Ice Fish without an Auger?

An ice auger is a handy tool for ice fishing to cut holes on freezy ice. Especially in winter, while the lake water freezes, it requires drilling the ice and creating a hole for fishing.

But what if you don’t have an ice auger? Or the one you have is not working properly, but you don’t want to miss enjoying fishing. Worry not. You can still ice fish without an auger.

In this guide, we’ll go over three of the best ways to ice fish without an auger and help you find which one is best for you based on your preferred technique and specific needs.

How to Cut an Ice Fishing Hole Without an Auger?

Ice fishing is a way for you to catch fish in frozen lakes and rivers. It’s a cold-weather sport that allows you to enjoy winter while still getting some exercise and relaxing with friends. After all, nothing is quite as satisfying as eating what you’ve caught!

For many of us, ice fishing without an auger can be a scary concept. The good news is that even though you don’t have an auger, you still have plenty of options to accomplish your goal.

Instead of an ice auger, you can use several other tools for ice fishing. They include:

• Axe
• Spud bar
• Digging iron
• Pickaxe
• Ice saw

Ways to Ice Fish without an Auger

Using regular fishfinders has its own benefits. The most important of them all is the price of the tool. You can buy a much cheaper fish finder than other expensive ones for your boat. Also, the same device you buy can be used on a boat during the summer and winter.

You’ll need a handheld depth detector and a portable power source to send sound waves through the ice. If you’re unsure which battery to choose, we propose a 12V 7AH lithium cell because it’s one of the cheapest options.

When you’re ready to put up your equipment on the ice, ensure the sensor and the ice are in a close battle. Two key elements influence this:

• The ice’s slickness
• The ice and the transducer are separated by air

Step 1: Wipe and examine the ice

The first step is to wipe the snow off the ice’s surface. Examine the ice for any tiny bubbles, breaks, or particles. Look for clear ice to avoid any irregularities that can interfere with the sonar pulses.

Step 2: Clean and remove dirt

Pour a small amount of water on top of the ice and set your sensor on top of it. If the ice and the transducer do not have a good fight, the transmission will not work. To avoid places with air between the surfaces, respray water on the ice.

Step 3: Start and examine

The depth finder should then be turned on, and the reading checked. If the ice is clear, you’ll be able to see fish gathering under the solid snow.

However, this method might not work over the rough ice surface. You will notice such ice surfaces at the end of winter. In that situation, scrape off the upper layer of ice until you reach clearer ice.

You can also check for previous fishing holes that have re-frozen because the ice is usually smoother there. Fresh ice is always preferable to old ice when it comes to permitting sonar signals to flow through.

If the fish in your area is prone to spook readily, use your depth finder to identify a few ideal areas. Drill a few holes in any places you discover fish. Then return to every one of the holes to see if the fish have survived. If the answer is yes, begin fishing; if the answer is no, proceed to the next position.

Conclusion

People from all walks of life visit frozen lakes to try their hand at ice fishing. As everyone cannot afford a motorized auger, various inventive (and not so ingenious) ways for cutting a hole through ice have been employed. Don’t let the fact that you have an ax deter you this winter.

There are several ways to ice fishing. Using an auger might just be the best method for ice fishing. But still, you can ice fish without an auger following the methods mentioned above.

FAQs

What can I use instead of an ice auger?

Instead of an ice auger, you can use several other tools for ice fishing. They include:

• Regular fish finder
• Spud bar
• Digging iron
• Pickaxe
• Ice saw

How do you make an ice fishing hole?

Most fishers begin ice fishing without investing significant money in ice augers. The cheapest instrument for digging holes is an ice chisel, often known as a “spud bar.” Furthermore, spud bars are the most effective instrument for determining ice thickness.

Will a hole saw cut through the ice?

An excellent quality saw cuts through ice like butter once you start cutting. Ice saws are expensive, and you might have to begin the process with an auger anyhow. Most ice fishermen prefer an auger over an ice saw.

Do You Need a Sonar for Ice Fishing?

Ice fishing requires the same technologies as boating. You can use a regular sonar system that comes with regular fish finders for ice fishing.

How can You Find Fish during Ice Fishing?

You can locate spots, gaps, weed edges, and underwater ridges by searching for them. The tips and gaps that stretch from shore are the best places to look for ice. During the winter, you can catch fish near mild-lake humps and rock piles.