Big fish

[eplindstrom]

Has anybody ever had a fish (Walleye or northern) that wouldn't fit up an 8" hole? How many pounds would it need to be before they get stuck? I wouldn't know I only catch the small ones

[greenbackhunter]

I have seen a 13 lb walleye come out of an 8 inch hole on lake winnipeg, no issues. I would say if your chasing big pike or lakers, jump up to 10. IMO, 9 is the perfect compromise.

[addicted to ice fishing]

I have gotten a 19.25 in girth northern out of an 8 inch hole.  If the head fits,  you can squeeze them through usually. 

[beerduck]

i have gaffed a 22 lb musky 44 inch through 8 inch tight fit but through

[gearheart]

If you find a place with fish that won't pass through an 8 inch hole you must tell the rest of us where it is.

[matt12]

If you find a place with fish that won't pass through an 8 inch hole you must tell the rest of us where it is.

+1   

[akdube]

A 28 lb laker was squeezed through a 10" hole. No way in an 8"

[ICatchLilFishy]

I have seen a 41 inch and 21lb Northern squeeze through a 6 inch hole amazed me but he did ask if he could release it in my 8 inch hole cause it would not fit back through lol.

[tinyfisher]

The biggest problem is if you get a big catfish on, they lock out their pectoral fins and you've got no chance.

[walleyeslayer1978]

I pulled a 17lb pike out of a six inch hole so you are probaly ok

[Gamalot]

I lost the biggest ice trout I ever had in a 6 inch hole. He would have come through but I had no gaff and used a 6 pound test leader. My best guestimate was the fish probably went 12+ pounds and I just could not get my fingers in his gills before the line snapped. 15 inches of ice did not help either.

I went that day and bought a gaff and a new 10 inch power auger. I later bought an 8 inch auger bit and am perfectly confident with this size hole. I still do use the 6 inch hand auger when I go light and on thin ice 6-8 inches thick. Drilling an 8 inch hole with a hand auger is too much like work these days and I would rather carry the power auger than to kill myself drilling holes. The 10 inch holes were a real PITA when I used my disc type Polar Therm tip ups that just barely cover the hole.

[vtfish32]

[Layne]

An 8" hole has a perimeter of over 25 inches, its going to take one hell of a fish to not fit through that.. big lake trout or a 30+ pound pike.

[jimyoumook]

i dont know but am willing to find out

[Wingthing]

I'm also hoping to find out! I've seen a lot of legs go through 10" holes  !

[blue mule]

The biggest problem is if you get a big catfish on, they lock out their pectoral fins and you've got no chance.

when they've got their stickers pecking out it takes a bigger hole