To Clear Snow or Not To Clear Snow?

[Vlad On Ice]

After a snowfall, do folks clear the snow around their holes or not?  I've always thought that clearing some snow helps with light penetration and jig presentation.   Thanks for any input.

[nocod]

i clear mine,dont want my line catching on the ice.

[dekatronic]

I clear snow for no other reason than to keep things I put on the ice drier since I fish with a pop up, e.g. tackle bag, bait containers, backpack, sonar, etc.

[big_guy_13021]

i dont shovrl the ice off thats just more to carry out with u..just use my boot to clear the snow besides the higher the snow my hole dont freeze so fast if its windy

[buz23]

I have a plastic kids snow shovel that weighs next to nothing.  I shovel out a good sized patch before I auger, if its dry fluffy snow.

[Whopper Stopper]

Depends on how much there is.

         WS

[Lobes]

If there's a lot of snow on an overcast day it can help bring fish in. In bright sun they're usually looking for weeds for cover so they don't get burned!

                                                       
NBG

[mthuntr]

I clear the snow to keep the line from catching on the snow...sometimes with a shovel and others with my boots.  If we're setting out tipups then we definitely clear snow to make sure the reels are in the water.

[littlehead]

i dont and dont know why i just dont

[UFCreel]

I will push the snow and ice chips up to the of the side of the hole the most people are on. Then when I catch one, down I go slide it onto the ice and in the salt bag it goes. No one the wiser as to what I caught. Lots of pressure around these parts.

[buddy396]

just clear away with my boot.....enough to get tipup reel into water

[lunkahville]

Normally clear off a spot with my boot. Then rev the auger after I punch through to kinda soak the area a little bit. Always normally fishing traps anyway

[Loudmouth879]

I pack the snow down then drill my hole.... lets the snow absorb the water that comes up through the hole from all the weight and keeps the tip ups out of a puddle of the water so they don't freeze to the ice

We do clear a spot for the shanty if/when we set the shanty up

[Mental]

My buddy and I clear the snow before positioning the portable shanty. Mostly to make sure the shanty is flat on the ice; and the benefit is the extra insulation of snow around the perimeter of the shanty. BTW, I need to get a new light-weight plastic shovel!

[winnisquam guy]

I like to clear some snow and use the pile as a wind break to keep blowing snow outta the hole

[Vlad On Ice]

Lots of good tips and info, thanks!   

[spudsaway]

If I am setting hand line than I do a real good job of it, I like dropping the Line in the hole and it should just drop by itself I hate the hangups..   If Rod and reel  Just quick work with the scoop,  When  settin a holder I used to put the slush over the base and hope it froze up solid..  Now  I anchor my Holders  ,  anchor $  rod and reel $$ easy math.