question

[bornfishin]

Quick question
Can you use a chainsaw on the ice or is it illegal
Is there a regulation for hole size
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[wagdog]

From page 26 of the 2011 Fishing Guidebook:

When you’re fishing through the ice, you
may not fish through a hole that’s more
than 12 inches wide. The only exceptions
are at Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir
and Fish Lake.

I guess you could use a chainsaw. People use picks, axes, hatchets, etc. when they don't have an auger.
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[FOD]

they use chainsaws for ice sculpting. I am sure it would work but might be bad for the chain when it hits the water. Be careful cause as you know the chain could come off like a bat out of hell.[fishin]
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[perchski]

+1, sounds like a kind of dangerous plan. Personally I would stick with the augers and spud bars or even an ax. You would be in some kind of trouble if you got hit with the chain out on the ice and not able to get to a hospital for a while. But I suppose it can be done.
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[bornfishin]

I saw it on YouTube and was wondering if there was a hole size limit in Utah
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[wiperhunter2]

With the cold weather we are having a 12 inch hole would likely freeze over in a short time after you quit clearing the ice but a hole that big is very dangerous for kids and adults, if snow covers a hole before it freezes. I was fishing pineview last year and my foot just about went threw a 10" hole, so just a heads up if you cut a 12" hole, be very careful.
WH2
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[con_mackie]

I don't know if there is a hole size restriction in Utah but depending on the size of hole you cut there could be a safety issue with the hole after you leave it whether someone comes along a couple hours after and it has a small layer of ice someone could fall through it or even a snowmobile or fourwheeler. I would stick with an auger you can find a hand auger for pretty cheap online and it's safe for you and everyone else. If you decide to use a chainsaw just be careful and keep the whole small.[]
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[bornfishin]

I asked the question because we were debating it this morning whether you could or not but personally I use an auger
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[retch_sweeney]

A few blasts from a 12 ga shotgun will make an ice hole too.[cool]
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[fuzzyfisher]

i have seen them used for cutting a ice hole.. but the guy's useing them got very wet doing so.. they spray water all over who ever is trying to cut the hole..
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[tmas]

I've cut holes at bear lake for cisco dipping with a chainsaw. For dip netting you need a hole a couple feet square atleast. The years that you get 4 inches or so of ice it's the best way i've found, but it is quite splashy.
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[GEEZER]

Please Please Please don't do it or if you do keep the hole small - like 8 inches by 8 inches. But for a good stroke of luck I'd have lost my life to a big hole some idiot cut. It froze a little, got snowed on & hidden. I found it.
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[Springbuck]

Surprised at all the negative answers.

If you know how to use a chainsaw, do it. There are even after market shields you can add to avoid the spray, or you can make one out of a 5 gal bucket.

Fill the oil reservoir with peanut oil instead of regular bar oil, dry the bar and spray with WD-40 when done.

Be careful, because you are close to your feet. Cutting directly beneath you with legs wide spread is a good technique because you can direct the spray more behind you, BUT MAKE SURE you have good traction. If you sharpen your own chains, cut the teeth a little flat, so they chisel the ice and the points don't get dull as fast.

Also, remember that you will be left with a block to remove from the hole, not slush (I guess you COULD be left with slush) so figure out how you are going to get them out of the hole. Cutting in beveled like an upside down pyramid helps. Might take a little practice.
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[FishKillr]

I think that many are just thinking of those who went overboard when using a chain saw and the negative things that happened when that happened. The actions of one can ruin the conceptions that people have about all. As long as he does like you said (8x8 or so), it will be great.
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[Therapist]

As stated, be careful. Many years ago, I went out to AF Harbor to do a bit of fishing, early, before 5AM. I walked out on the ice between two of the pilings that they use for the docks and found myself standing in 4 ft. of water. Some clown had taken a chainsaw and cut 4ft wide swath between the two pilings, the hole was about 12 feet long and 4 feet wide. A little cold weather, a skim of ice and skiff of snow and it was invisible. Fortunately it was the shallow end that I stepped in.

I have also had experience with small children on the ice. I took my daughter out on Deer Creek when she was 5 ( 29 now) and she stepped in a refrozen, 8" hole. Again I was very lucky, she just sat down with one leg in the hole, but she very well could have gone all the way through. Remember the little girl in Texas that fell down the drill casing, it was only 8" also.

Be aware, have fun, and don't leave traps for others that follow.

[heavycod]

Wow 24 years ago you where ice ficing in utah i didnt think thaat was legal in utah back then
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[fish_fear_me2]

Deer Creek and a couple other lakes opened for ice fishing a long time ago. If I recall perch were the target fish with a no trout limit back then...I think it was the late 60s so yes Ice fishing has been around awhile. By the early 80s I think it was state wide fishing through the ice
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[Fishrmn]

Utah Lake was open year round from as far back as I can remember. That was back in the early 60s. Few people bothered to use an auger though. They'd just find some open water. There were a couple of places by Duchesne that were open for ice fishing. Deer Creek opened to ice fishing about 1978 or 79.
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[Therapist]

It used to be that lakes West of I -15 were open year round.
we had Utah Lake, Willard, and Yuba as our only venues. Those of us that fished, pretty much had them all to ourselves. TD can spin you some tales about some of our outings on UL and Yuba. It started to get popular in the early 80's, but year round fishing really started the boom.

[Fish-or-die]

I would call the dwr and make sure. I thought for sure there was size restriction on holes. The reason is that in the proc it states that bear lake, fish lake, and flaming gorge may not exceed 18" holes when ice fishing. I always presumed that was because of macs? I may of also presumed that everywhere else had a size restriction? I thought for sure someone would of brought that up. The proc is just a basic fishing guideline and may not state what the size is statewide? Dwr is your best bet.
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