Keeping your hole open? Or reopening it?

[lungdeflator]

Do you guys try to keep your hole open between visits? or just cut it open again?

I put a nu-way in my perm and with the wind in ND I don't think leaving the heater on is an option. Plus it burns alot of gas so I would be paying more to heat the spearhouse than the house I live in! I finally got a saw this year,so no more chipping the hole open (ice chunks and water flying everywhere)!

[Bowfin]

I just cut it open again as I have a good chisel and ice saw. I keep my live decoys hanging in an old style metal minnow bucket a ways below the ice between visits also. They keep for a long time.

[Gordie]

I let my decoy sucker hang in the hole just above the bottom of the ice on the harness it helps if its warmer weather. I also have put the pink type inslu over the hole and keep it covered and that helps as well. I have recut or chiseled too, but the best way to keep the hole open is leave the heat on. That can get spendy really quick so I do the later.

[BOUNCED]

Insulated hole cover. My house just sat for 4 days and the temps never got above 0 and I only had an inch of ice.

[lungdeflator]

I'd like to try an insulated cover. Do you just cut an insulation piece and lay it on the water?

[BOUNCED]

I'd like to try an insulated cover. Do you just cut an insulation piece and lay it on the water?

Not unless you want to chip it out when you come back it will freeze in. I have a 2x4 floor and lay a board over the hole with 1 1/2" insulation glued to the bottom.

[Mike89]

insulation all the way, I use an old minnow bucket also with a chain to hold it.

[lungdeflator]

ok thanks guys, Ill have to try some stuff.

[Gordie]

I have been tossing the idea of using a air bubbler like I use for keeping creek chubs alive in the summer ,but only to have it bubble in the hole to keep it open it would work for a over night or two if on a fully charged battery. like I said it was just a thought I am tossing around.

[MJ1657]

I have a tiny set of ice tongs. Works good to pull big chunks of ice out if its an inch or two.

[BOUNCED]

I have a tiny set of ice tongs. Works good to pull big chunks of ice out if its an inch or two.

I do to mine were god given I call them hands

[MJ1657]

I like gadgets especially when they are antiques.

[BOUNCED]

I like gadgets especially when they are antiques.

I do too I just hate dragging out more stuff than I need to

[MJ1657]

I'm not st Merks level but I drag plenty of junk out with me.