I've cut a lot of holes in the ice of Central Mn.
Northern Minnesota starts at a line from Two Harbors across towards E. Grand Forks.
I have used all manner of chain saws, but the older, slooower, gear drive saws with big chain work best...the slower the chain speed, the less water sprayed around. Walt is probably right about thermal stress on your bar and chain, but I used a different bar and worn out chain anyway...If I wreck a junk chain, who cares?
I find it too much work to try to lift the block out, so I push it down under the ice. I hit one with a snowmobile once, at a great speed, and don't want to do that again. Locally, there used to be a lot of controversy over just this subject...spear fishermen would normally set their block next th fish house and it would not cause problems, but what happens if the spear fisherman decides to move his shelter?
I used a mirror to try to see what the block looks like under the ice once, as some people feel the block frightens the northerns away. It had been about a week since I had made my hole, and I could not find the block. I've since learned that it doesn't take very long for the block to disappear.
Good luck with your 5-tined fish-hook, Huck.
Did you hear about the Norwegian that put his spear house on the railroad tracks? Seems a Swede had told him he might catch the "Great Northern".
For all you folks not of the midwest, the Burlington and Northern railway Co. formerly operated a rail line here called "The Great Northern"
