Select a state to find fishing and boating information:
Get A Fishing License
Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more.
Register A Boat
Register your boat today. Learn how to register your vessel, boating laws and more.
Home > Take Me Fishing Blog > December 2019 > How to Use an Ice Auger for Hard-Water Fishing
If you’re just getting started in ice fishing you should know that it all starts with a hole in the ice, and that there are a number of ways to do that. I’ve cut ice holes with a spud, hand auger, gas auger, and chainsaw. In some northern environments, the latter is a good way to go, using a long-bladed saw on thick ice to cut large rectangular fishing holes. A spud can do the job on thin ice, but the thicker the ice the harder a spud is to use, plus you wind up with somewhat jagged sides and lots of pounding impact on wrists, arms, and shoulders.
Most ice anglers, and certainly avid ones, use an auger, either manual or powered, the latter being favored in northernmost lakes where ice can get very thick. Gas-driven augers are a mainstay, but battery-powered augers are also an option.
It doesn’t take long to learn how to use an ice auger, and the benefits of timely, numerous, and neat hole cutting are obvious.
With these ice auger tips you’re ready to get started, assuming, of course, that you already have your fishing license.
Do you like this content? Subscribe to our Newsletter and get all the information you need to learn, plan, and equip for your next fishing adventure.
Ken Schultz was a longtime staff writer for Field & Stream magazine and is the former Fishing Editor of ESPNoutdoors.com. He’s written and photographed nineteen books on sportfishing topics, plus an annual fishing tips calendar, and his writing has appeared on various websites for more than two decades. His author website is kenschultz.com
The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use.
Do you like this content? Subscribe to our Newsletter and get all the information you need to learn, plan, and equip for your next fishing and boating adventure.
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
Sign-up to receive our monthly newsletter with interesting blogs about fishing and boating. Get fishing tips and tricks and read personal stories from anglers who live and breathe fishing and boating. Learn new fishing skills, boating resources, fishing etiquette, conservation and more.
Please complete the following fields to subscribe to our newsletter.
SUBSCRIBERS PREFERENCES
What information would you like?