Holes in Ice

[TF_Paddy]

Any one got any bright ideas of how to get holes, or to break ice that is 7 to 8″ thick on a still water?? we are starting to get a bit worried about the fish stocks, as we have not seen water for over 3 weeks.
OneTrick took a sledgehammer to it yesterday and it just bounces of it! The only other option if we cannot break it, is to leave it to thaw which is going to take ages at these sort of temperatures. just cannot think of a suitable way of getting through it.

[TF_Snooty Fox]

cordless chainsaw

[TF_eels]

use a pick.

[TF_simon pavey]

Might take a while, but a pan of boiling water placed on the ice ,and topped up regularly will eventually get through, hopefully a thaw will start in the next few days……..

[TF_Paddy]

Yeh, thinking of this, we got the chainsaw, but there is a differant cutting blade apparantly. The normal tree cutting thingy, just goes blunt.
I think your onto some thing though Snoots

[TF_Paddy]

Pan of hot water – not got that much gas – neither of British Gas!! lol
Pick Axe – Not a Chance – This water is a 5 acre natural and when i said 7 to 8″ that’s in the margins! literally, its as hard as a Crocs head. As for big fat blokes jumpin up and down, if Onetrick cant move it, nobody can!
I think the chainsaw is the best idea so far.

[TF_Nigel.]

The blade shouldent go blunt.
I saw a steel saw last week too, he stood in the water in chest waders, and cut a big hole up to about 5 meters out.
If you go onto the ice, wers a dry suit, so if you go in, you will just float, and not get wet.

[TF_Paddy]

Yeh Nige, Floatation is a no brainer mate…..steelsaw, theres an idea……mmmmmm….~think

[TF_Nigel.]

I am lucky that i have JCB here, and thats how i am doing mine. You may find one localy that would come in and go around the lake for you. I can reach 7 meters.
Cost is around £130 a day, but you may get a local one for a drink after work.

[TF_Paddy]

Cos it,s a natural, it’s so limited to it’s approach, but if i could get one for that much, I’d try 2!!
how many holes would you bang through on 5 acres Nige?

[davtayParticipant]

Paddy you can melt the ice with the water from the lake just by pumping water onto the surface with a 4 inch pump, I’ve just done the same on my lake, make a small hole for the suction pipe to go in and just let the water spew on to the ice, it melted mine in about an hour. It made an hole about 5 mts by 3 mts, hope this helps.

[TF_Nigel.]

I have 25 acres here, and i have broken 20 holes. (about 7 meters x 7)

The water just under the ice is 1 degree, and 4 foot to 8 foot down is 2 degrees, i checked it today.

I also have fountain running, and its keeping a big hole open.

I checked the Koi pool today too, 6 degrees, it is heated though.

[Anonymous]

how deep is the lake and is it heavily stocked???

[TF_AnthonywatersParticipant]

Use ice breakers the ice will not be 7 inch thick at 20 plus meters

[TF_Gary]

Blow torch?

[TF_Mikey .J.]

That takes forever Gary mate. We tried it believe it or not on our water.

Best way is with a JCB without any doubt.

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