Ice Fishing Holes: Diameter, Distance, Patterns, Target Fish
Most ice fishermen don’t put a ton of thought towards the diameter of their holes, how much distance is between each, their pattern, or what depth of water they position over.
But the truth of it is these factors are extremely important for ice fishing success. By neglecting these factors, you are running of the risk of not having a successful outing and potentially a dangerous one.
What should you know about ice fishing holes? Before ice fishing, you need to know the following things about ice fishing holes:
- The distance necessary between holes.
- The depth at which you will find specific species of fish.
- The correct width and diameter for the holes.
The Ice Hole
When you head out onto the ice with your auger to drill the “perfect” ice fishing hole, you need to think about where you are fishing. If you are familiar with the water you are fishing on, this will likely be a simple task; however, if you are on unfamiliar water, you may need to drill around a bit.
Many fishers choose to drill holes in a pattern until they find a group of fish under the ice. Once the holes are drilled, if a group of fish is found, it is beneficial to drill a series of holes near the first hole to help drop your line in the proper location.
Click here to learn if worms make good ice fishing bait.
Pattern Drilling
You may be wondering why a pattern is necessary when learning about the water you are on. If you are unfamiliar with the water, you will likely not know where the “best” location is to catch fish. Because of this, some fishers choose to use a pattern to drill the holes.
Typically, the holes are spread across the ice so they can cover a larger area, and the fisherman can scope out where the fish may be gathering.
There is no rule for the pattern or the proximity the holes need to have to one another. The pattern can be drilled in the form of a zigzag, which allows you to explore both shallow and deep water. This works very similar in concept to why fan casting works so well for bank fishing with lures.
Cluster Drilling
If you are fishing in familiar water, you may be able to focus on a cluster drill. The purpose of this way of drilling is to allow you to hone in on a group of fish before dropping your line. If you know where fish tend to gather, this will be the best method of drilling.
Again, there is no specific distance that needs to be put between holes, but they should be much closer than the previously discussed pattern drilling.
No matter which drilling method you choose, you need to keep your mind on safety. This is going to be especially critical when you are drilling in a cluster pattern. You want to make sure the holes are not so close together that they overlap one another, causing a large hole that could be dangerous.
Hole Diameter
When you are preparing to drill a hole for your ice fishing venture, you need to be very aware of the diameter. While it may seem advantageous to drill a wide hole, it is not.
A hole with a diameter larger than 12 inches can be dangerous. Anything wider than 12 inches could be easily fallen into by a fisher.
If you are fishing for smaller fish, you can likely get away with a hole that has a diameter of around 8 inches.
This will be large enough for you to drop your line as well as pull the fish out of. You do not want to make the hole any smaller than this because you may be unable to pull your catch out.
It is also essential to factor in the thickness of the ice when preparing to drill a hole. In the article How Big is an Ice Fishing Hole by Joshua of Fishing Duo, the following measurements should be used:
- 4-6 inch ice depth = 6-8 inch hole
- 6-18 inch ice depth = 6-10 inch hole
- 18-24 inch ice depth = 8-12 inch hole
- Over 24 inch depth = 8-12 inch hole
As you can see, the depth of the ice directly impacts the diameter of the holes you make. To ensure your safety as well as that of those around you, you must follow these or similar guidelines.
Ice Hole Depth & Diameter: Each Species
When you are preparing to ice fish, you know the depth of ice to fish on safely, but you need to go a step further and determine which species of fish tend to live in specific depths of water. Not only will this step save you time, but it will also help you to be successful during your time on the ice.
The most common types of fish that are caught when ice fishing are bluegills, crappies, perch, bass, pike, and walleye. Each of these fish species will be found at different depths. Therefore, holes need to be drilled accordingly.
Bluegills/Crappies/Perch: These fish fall into the “panfish” category. The term panfish simply means it is a smaller bodied fish that would typically fit into a pan. However, there are many other definitions of a panfish that you may hear.
He explains it is common to find a large grouping of these fish in early winter hovering around the shoreline. The depth of the water is quite minimal, so you will not likely need to drill many holes to find a large group of fish.
Panfish are typically small-bodied fish, so the maximum diameter of hole you will need is around 8 inches. You need to be sure the hole is large enough to get the fish out but not so big that it becomes a hazard.
Perch: Another popular fish for ice fishing is the perch. The perch is larger than panfish but not the largest species coveted by ice fishermen.
Perch can be a bit challenging to find because they tend to live in depths of up to fifty feet in the winter months.
Because of this, you may find yourself using the patterning method of drilling before you can form a cluster hole. The hole width should be between 8-10 inches to ensure you can remove the fish that you catch.
Bass: Bass is another common species to catch when ice fishing. Bass can be located around forty feet but can go deeper. Often, they will spend time near vegetation to ensure they can find food.
Again, when you are deep water fishing, you will likely need to use a pattern form of drilling, unless you are familiar with the water. Hole diameters for bass should be around 10 inches.
Pike: This is an exceptionally large fish that can be found in quite shallow water. In the winter, a pike may live in a water depth of 5-10 feet, which is often under a thick ice layer.
Because they are so close to the surface, you may be able to find a large group with the use of one or two holes. The holes will need to be at least 10 inches in diameter to ensure you can pull the fish out once it has been hooked.
Walleye: This species commonly moves into deeper water during the winter months and can often be found in depths of 15-25 feet.
You will likely need to use pattern drilling to find an excellent group to fish. Again, the hole will need to be at least 10 inches in diameter to ensure you can safely and easily remove the fish once it has been caught.
Knowing the species you are planning to fish for will help you as you begin your search for the perfect fishing hole. It will also save you an immense amount of time if you know exactly what you are looking for.
Final Thoughts
Ice fishing is an enjoyable activity if you take the time to understand the fish you are looking for, where they tend to gather, and the logistics of proper fishing holes.
After reading this article, you should feel better prepared to get out onto the ice and make a fishing hole that will repay you with a significant catch.
