Ice Well

[gvg_uwec]

I'm hinting to the gf to get me an ice well for xmas. I have an 8' auger, should I get the 7" that fits completely in the hole or the 9" that will have some sitting on the top of the ice?

[Deitz Dittrich]

My opinion, get the 7".. its designed for the 8" hole.. it can be kind of difficult to get a 9" Ice well down an 8" hole...

Love my ice well!!! Hope the GF takes the hint!

[Bruce Mosher]

If you have the 8" Dia Auger make sure you use the 7" Dia Ice-Well. But if you have a 9" auger I would prefer the 9" Ice-Well and if you had to use a big dipper (minnow scoop) or a broom handle and push it down the ice hole more quickly. I like the 9" bag the best. Push it all the way down to the water line. Don't velcro the bag shut while it is in the ice hole. Keep it open so you can easily throw a fish into the bag. In the Summer time then you can throw a fish into the Ice-Well, velcro it shut and then toss it over board on your boat, canoe, dock, chest waders , etc. Never worry about the fish pulling the Ice-Well below the water line. If you are using it outside and it's well below zero, make sure that you go over to the Ice-Well and kick it (break up the ice) every few minutes so that it doesn't freeze in. Have Fun, Bruce Mosher

[MinnesotaMuskie]

I used mine last year...loved it. Just rember that if you take advantage of the new rule that allows spearing and angling in the same house...put it outside.

[beef]

The ice wells are awesome... When out guiding they are handy for the clients to use along with myself... Makes a great x-mas gift too... I would take another in a heart beat...

Beef

[gvg_uwec]

looks like I will try to "mention" how nice a 7" Ice Well would be and that it is relatively cheap. I think she will snap it up when i mention its a cheap gift

[CNY Tim]

I love my ice well!

[Borch]

I sure like mine! Even my wife says it's the best thing to have while ice fishing for slabs.

[Ray Esboldt]

I finally picked one up as well. I am kind of excited to give it a try. Now, my question is has anyone tried it in a hole smaller than 8 inches? I suppose you might want to pick it up every now and then so it doesn't freeze in, but is there any other gotchas?

[Tyler Holm]

I use my 9" Ice Well all the time in open water. It rocks!

I have an 8" auger and I've never tried the two togeter, but I will let you know once I have the opportunity to.

Last year, we didn't have more than 8-10" of ice here in Rochester. I imagine I could squish the ice well down the hole and the section below the ice would expand to hold a nice bag of fish. The problem I can foresee would be pulling out a pile of fish that stack to form a 9"+ diameter through my 8" hole.

I’ll give it a shot, but I think fitting the ice well with it’s designed hole size would be the best scenario.

[BradB]

I used mine only once. It froze into the sides of the hole and it took me a long, cold time to get it unstuck.

[Bruce Mosher]

BradB, How long did you leave the Ice-Well in the hole? How cold was it outside? If you leave anything in the hole long enough it will freeze solid. Just make sure that you get over to the hole When it's really cold outside (every few minutes)and kick or move the Ice-Well while it's in the hole so that it doesn't freeze in. If the Ice-Well is inside the portable or Permanent house you shouldn't have to worry. Bruce Mosher

[Rugbyguy]

Can I find an Icewell in a store, or are they only available online?

[cold one sd]

I bought mine at one of the local baitshops.

[Matt Johnson]

I really like the Ice Well. Great for keeping fish alive and fresh, and also for transporting them when you're looking to take home a few for the pan. A lot of uses for the Ice Well throughout the entire calender period. Mine sure gets a workout during the ice season though

Bring on the ice!!

[CrappieAttitude]

I have never seen one of these in action, but am really intrigued. Do they just float in your hole? For those who use them in the open water season, do you just hang them off the side of your boat? They sound like a great gift for those people who "have everything."

[Hotspotter]

CrappieAttitude:

Yes sir, you're right on the money. A durable foam strip around the "mouth" of the ice well floats it in your ice-hole and during open water over the side of the boat.

By the way, for those of you who tip-up fish, there is not a better way to keep your suckers/shiners alive than with this system. Water is always fresh and cold!

Joel

[Tyler Holm]

See Here for more info!

Yep, the ice well floats. The top/opening is made of a buoyant foam. The top/opening can also be velcro’ed shut.

For open water I just dangle mine over the side of my boat. Either use a little piece of rope tied to the handle, or just loop the handle over a sturdy element in your boat.

[CrappieAttitude]

Where did you guys get these things? I just got off the phone with Reeds and the guy I spoke to hadn't even heard of them.

[cold one sd]

Under the picture in Tyler's post above yours there is a linc. Clicky clicky.

[DEADhead]

these things are nearly indestructible as well. Check out my encounter with the bait well and a snapping turtle!

[BradB]

Quote:

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BradB, How long did you leave the Ice-Well in the hole? How cold was it outside?

---

I left in in for 2 days in my sleeper house on Mille Lacs. It was quite cold out. I had hoped to use it as a minnow bucket inside the house, but as it got stuck haven't used it since.

It wouldn't be convenient to knock it when used in my sleeper. I suppose that my application wasn't the best for it.

[Swill]

has anyone ever lost a fish using that ice well? I fish in an otter lodge and usually with another guy, so we would have 4 lines down and then this ice well.

You would think a crappie coming up from lets say 15-25 feet might bump that ice well and break off??

[Tyler Holm]

Well, I've never lost any fish due to the ice well, but they are 33" tall (nearly 3 feet). On super thick ice (18+") I think your're OK.

Or

Drill a hole at the extreme edge of your shack at a 30-45 degree angle away from your fishing holes. This will give you even more room.

[CrappieAttitude]

It sounds like you normally get a smaller ice well than what your auger size is. For those who have 7" augers would a 7" ice well be too snug of a fit?