The following are some important considerations, safety measures, and tips to keep in mind before you and your friends set foot on the ice. If you want an enjoyable and successful ice-fishing session, where everyone comes away with a full bucket of fish, consider the following: Things like convenience, environmental impact, safety, location, and maintenance are more important than one might think at first glance – and this comprehensive article, which has been meticulously put together, will tell you everything you need to know about using your chainsaw to cut ice like a pro.
General Notes
The use of a chainsaw to cut ice on a river or lake is prohibited in many locations across the continent, primarily due to the harmful oil used by these power tools. This is primarily due to the oil used by these power tools. So, before you begin, check your local laws to see if there are any that specifically prohibit you from engaging in this activity. If ice-cutting is prohibited by your local ordinances, we recommend that you refrain from doing so.
These rules, which may appear to be burdensome, are in place to protect not only the environment in which you live and the water you drink, but also you as well. Inexperienced anglers may end up cutting too much ice and injuring themselves, which is something that no angler would want to happen.
However, if you are capable of doing so without violating any laws, the information provided below will provide you with some of the most important information one should know before embarking on an ice fishing adventure on one’s own.
How to Get Started
The first thing you should do is determine whether the lake in which you intend to dig a hole is public or private property before proceeding. In either case, you must first obtain permission to do so. Despite the fact that it appears to be a no-brainer, many people fail to do so, which can result in unpleasant fines and irate neighbors. Furthermore, some of those water bodies may serve as breeding grounds for endangered species, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Having a map of the body of water where you want or plan to fish is also recommended by fishing experts. A GPS will allow you to do this for a very low cost, so if you have the opportunity to bring one, do so. You will not be disappointed.
It’s important to look around to see if there are any shallow areas or hot springs nearby, as these could weaken the stability of the ice sheet, and you could end up trapped beneath the ice. You can contract pneumonia and even drown, which should give you an idea of how serious the situation is.
What You Need
Packing the necessary equipment is essential for any type of fishing, not just this particular one. Fortunately, you will only need to make a few simple purchases, which we hope will not put a strain on your budget. You’ll need a good fishing pole, a durable winter-friendly reel with line, and, in addition, some brightly colored jigs to get started.
Don’t forget about the lure, as well as the fact that everything should be designed for use in colder weather and at temperatures below freezing. The market is your best friend if you don’t have any fishing rods and reels because you can be sure to find an excellent fishing rod and reel combo for you to choose from.
It is also highly recommended by many experienced anglers that you invest in warm clothing that is both insulating and waterproof. Fishing boots are a must, as are gloves, because you will be out in the elements for an extended period of time. The use of ice can result in finger injuries and even amputations if you are careless with it.
And, of course, you’ll need a chainsaw to complete the task. You could use a more traditional model, such as the one you might already have around the house for cutting wood, to accomplish this. It has the potential to be efficient and fast, but it must be easy to handle and have non-slip handles, even when wet or slick with water. If you don’t have any, you can use winter gloves, which are readily available.
It’s possible to find specially designed chainsaws for ice cutting, as well as a high-quality ice fishing rod, on the market. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that they are not significantly more expensive than your average tool. A word of caution: the cutting process can be a tad messy. In a moment, however, we’ll get to that.
Specialized ice-cutting tools, such as ice augers, are also used by some people. They are a type of tool that is used to cut circular holes in the ice with a circular saw. They have a diameter of approximately 6 to 8 inches and, in most cases, do not require any oil to function properly, which is beneficial to both the environment and the health of the fish in question. If you’re completely out of options, you can resort to using an ax, but this will require a significant amount of effort.
The use of a large spoon-like product to scoop the ice out of the hole, or even a bucket, which can be used to carry your gear and serve as a seat if you flip it over, are other small accessories that may come in handy. It is possible to make an even longer list, but the ones presented here are more than sufficient.
How To Go About Things
The methods of ice fishing, as well as the equipment required, have changed significantly in recent years. Anglers can drill and check hundreds of ice holes in a single day with ease if they use light equipment and fast and powerful augers and chainsaws, which is the definition of success in ice fishing.
You can also invest in a sonar device, which will scan the water for signs of underwater activity, saving you the time and effort of testing the water every five minutes. You can also use it to locate the best location for drilling the hole – drill it two feet away from where the fish are hiding so that you don’t scare them away while you’re drilling.
Furthermore, devices such as these can assist you in determining the depth of the water, allowing you to know what to do or expect in the event of an accident. Using a sonar to test the thickness of the ice is another expert trick that will help ensure that you don’t drill into a weak spot.
A modern ice angler can use advanced reels mounted on shorter fishing rods if he or she does their homework and reads buying guides that have been created to assist them in their endeavors. This enables them to successfully fish by correlating all of the information they receive from their tools, and to do so without having to struggle to handle bulky rods or other equipment.
Ice fishing, according to experts, can be done at any time of day that is convenient for you, depending on whether the fish you want to catch is most active at dusk or first light. There are different fish species that are active at different times of the day, so it is best to prepare ahead of time by asking other anglers about their experiences.
There are many lightweight and portable shelters on the market if you want to experience this at night; models that mount on plastic sleds and collapse easily for transportation are available on the market. They can range from simple one-person shelters to elaborate structures that can accommodate more than five people at a time.
The Messiness
Once the hole has been marked, it is time to drill it. You will proceed in the same manner as you would with a tree. If you have never used a chainsaw before, you must learn how to use it safely in order to avoid injury. That’s not all, either. It is necessary to thoroughly clean the top portion of the product with hot water and soap in order to remove any oil that may have accumulated on its surface, as this can poison the fish and pollute the water.
There is no need to be concerned about rust because it can be quickly and easily remedied with some canola oil, which is both environmentally friendly and non-toxic to marine life. Another advantage is that it is inexpensive, and it has mild antifreeze characteristics.
If the ice is particularly thick, you’ll need to use a long bar on the chainsaw. Your tool will be able to take care of it this way. All you have to do, according to ice fishermen, is carefully cut it down by inserting the blade into the ice with slow, deliberate movements. You will experience some resistance; however, do not allow the ice to overwhelm you. Keep your pressure low so that you aren’t caught off guard when the bar reaches its other side.
Additionally, because the chainsaw will discharge water as it cuts, you must be extra cautious about where you position yourself in order to avoid getting wet. To get the larger ice cubes out, you’ll need to use an ice pick or a bar to pry them out. If at all possible, try to push the blocks beneath the ice, as they have the potential to slide and strike someone if brought to the surface.
Final Concerns
If you decide to use chainsaws to catch fresh fish, you must do so in a manner that is environmentally friendly, especially if you intend to repeat the process in the future. Also, avoid doing it during breeding seasons, as it can result in a decline in the fish population during that time.
As previously stated, you will need to drain and wipe clean the crude oil before refilling the chainsaw with vegetable oil – which is often less expensive than conventional oil. After you’ve finished cutting the holes, make sure to thoroughly dry your chainsaw to avoid rust and freezing damage.
Each angler can make educated guesses about the size of the holes when it comes to their favorite species. To make a successful trip, an eight-inch hole should be more than enough space. When it comes to the number of drills, the decision is entirely up to you and your good fortune. Just make sure they aren’t too close to each other to avoid weakening the ice sheet as a result of the proximity.