Chainsaw

[SteelcityYinzer]

New to ice fishing and living in Pittsburgh area, so ice fishing opportunities will be relatively scarce. Therefore, I’d rather not buy an auger but I do have a lithium battery chainsaw.

Besides draining the chainsaw oil for a more eco friendly one, are there any restrictions on chainsaw usage at state and county lakes?

[icecoldchrome]

Honestly not 100% sure but I believe that the hole can be no larger than 10inches and I believe that it must be circular  so it's harder for someone's foot to go threw probably best to reach out to a ranger and verify prior to doing so it only takes one guy to cry and next thing you know you are in trouble

[1MOFISH]

saw every type of device to drill holes,auger axe hatchet hammer but no chain saws .long as you stay in the legal parameters 12" i see no problem other than you getting wet.it would be wise to ask some one to drill your holes most guys will do it
GOD BLESS YOU
mo

[Raquettedacker]

They make augers that take drill batteries.
 Expect to get wet using a chainsaw..

[1MOFISH]

New to ice fishing and living in Pittsburgh area, so ice fishing opportunities will be relatively scarce. Therefore, I’d rather not buy an auger but I do have a lithium battery chainsaw.

Besides draining the chainsaw oil for a more eco friendly one, are there any restrictions on chainsaw usage at state and county lakes?

by the way if my memory serves me right is it not the skunked monkey on the sled?
GOD BLESS
mo
LOL

[ran7ger]

been cutting ice with chainsaws for years, not ideal but it will work and it's not hard to stay dry doing it.  no bar oil is necessary.

[SteelcityYinzer]

Yes, ten inches in any one direction is the limit. I’d rather not bother another fisherman for an auger but I would like knowing most folks would like to help out.

It is indeed the skunk monkey! I have yet to try ice fishing but my last three or four outings since October I have been skunked. I’d like to blame the overfished waters in Allegheny county but I’m man enough to accept most of the blame! 

[PaCarpboy]

I would be surprised if you didn't get offered some holes to be drilled after fellow ice anglers saw you trying to use the chainsaw.  I have given fellow fishermen my auger and told them to bring it back when they were done.  Of course, I had my holes drilled already.

[Salty Ice Queen]

Yes,..I agree..helping is in book...also,..sometimes you will see other drilled holes from others not in use...could be a help for you...

[SteelcityYinzer]

Thanks, ran7ger and all other replies. I’ll probably go Monday or Tuesday and hopefully be able to use some predrilled holes from the weekend with a spud bar and the chainsaw being a last resort.

[namkeng]

I would drill with my lithium auger for anyone who asked. I usually ask guys if I see they have a hatchet or 6" hand auger. Sometimes they take me up. Sometimes they don;t.

I used to knock holes with a hammer and chisel when I was a kid. never saw a chainsaw.

I know they use chainsaws to cut those huge holes out in the midwest for spearing pike.

Sounds dangerous to me. Stay safe buddy

[jaeger80]

I get your not wanting to invest a ton...but I'd just keep an eye on Craigslist and fbook marketplace and buy a used cheap hand auger. 

[Spider1]

saw every type of device to drill holes,auger axe hatchet hammer but no chain saws .long as you stay in the legal parameters 12" i see no problem other than you getting wet.it would be wise to ask some one to drill your holes most guys will do it
GOD BLESS YOU
mo

10"... Not 12". The hole can not be greater than 10" measured in the largest direction.

Get an auger. fer real, get an auger.

[Fishingjg]

I understand that you don't want to spend a lot of money, but you can get a brand-new hand auger on eBay for under $70. I am guessing that almost everyone on here has a hand auger that we bought when we first started ice fishing and now use as a backup. It is just part of the list of things that you need for ice fishing. Can you go fishing without one sure it just makes life a whole lot easier.

[Spider1]

When I first got into ice fishing, I stopped off at a sportsmans warehouse and bought a few HT rods, an HT panfish jig kit, some line and a 6" HT auger. It is a tool that you need for ice fishing in PA. While you're at it, get some safety ice picks, some good creepers and a spud bar. These days, I still use that 6" auger. I have it attached to a clam plate and my Ridgid drill.

[zcm_82]

I'm gonna go with the crowd here and say buy a hand auger. You can find them pretty reasonable used, or sometimes get a good deal at end of season at local shops. I picked up my last 7" Mora at a spring sale for about $40.

You can (and I have) cut a hole with a chainsaw, but they're really more suited to cutting out big spear holes. Trying to cut a small hole with one would be a pita. Also not sure how much an electric saw would handle that, because they do throw water once you break through.

[Nubmnutz32]

Going to fallow the group also. Hand augers are light and quicker to drill through the max 10-15” of ice we get here in pa if we are lucky to get that every year.  as longs you keep the blades sharp. It would be money we’ll spent.

[ajv5148]

Been using my 6" Eskimo for almost 8 years. They're $60 new on Amazon (cheaper back then) keep your blades sharp and it cuts through 8" in less than a minute

[optimus140]

Therefore, I’d rather not buy an auger but I do have a lithium battery chainsaw.

In addition to what others already said. I'm a safety nerd and would be worried about this being a shocking hazard somehow, or shorting out the motor. I don't even know if that's possible but I wouldn't want to risk it. It's not the same as an electric auger that was designed to be safely operated to drill through ice, touching water.

[Pa. Angler]

Honestly not 100% sure but I believe that the hole can be no larger than 10inches and I believe that it must be circular  so it's harder for someone's foot to go threw probably best to reach out to a ranger and verify prior to doing so it only takes one guy to cry and next thing you know you are in trouble

Great advice

[1MOFISH]

10"... Not 12". The hole can not be greater than 10" measured in the largest direction.

Get an auger. fer real, get an auger.

sorry ten"(10)" inch  .thought it was 12" when there are 10" inch augers being used and on a hot day i'm sure the holes expand?
GOD BLESS
mo