Ice Augers for Every Situation and Budget

Ice Augers for Every Situation and Budget

By Todd Reed

Ice Fishing… it is almost here for the 2026/2027 season.  Last year, the ice season ended very rapidly, leaving a lot of anglers hungry for the upcoming season.  

Investing in Gear

Oftentimes, as ice anglers, we look at all the details of our bait, our jig, our small plastics, and meticulously make sure they are perfect for every drop.  We spend a large amount of money on electronics to help us find fish and catch fish; we again make adjustments to these electronics to make sure they are working perfectly, and we can understand what they are telling us…in hopes of catching more fish.  

Clothing, from insulated coveralls or bibs and a sweatshirt to the latest $1,000 float suits, we all have to dress appropriately.  Rods and reels are designed to catch any fish under the ice with different actions, spring bobbers, and drags on the reels as smooth as warm butter.  What most ice anglers don’t talk about is their auger.  Sure, we all have them, and when you really think about it, they are the most important piece of equipment we have for ice fishing.  Without an auger, you are not ice fishing.

Augers are often overlooked as tools for ice anglers.  They can be broken down into four main categories: hand auger, gas auger, electric auger, and a drill auger.  They all serve a purpose and each have their niches.  Let’s take a look at each category and see the pros/cons of each.

Hand Augers

Hand augers are just that, operated by hand.  These are just fine for that angler that gets out a few times a year and typically drills under 20 holes a day.  Keeping it simple will also keep some hundred-dollar bills in your wallet too.  Most quality hand augers will cost around $80; they come ready to use out of the box.  If you are a casual angler, the blades will probably last you a couple of years.  If you aren’t going to drill a lot of holes and are willing to use some elbow grease, this option is a good one.

Gas Augers

A couple of decades ago, gas augers were all the buzz.  Gas-powered and propane-powered augers were the workhorses on the ice.  Cutting through feet of ice over and over all day long.  The cost of them was around $300… I say was, because I am not sure you can even buy them anymore, but there may be a few available from online stores.  

I really preferred the propane-powered augers over the gas.  They had the same power, were a bit lighter, easier to start, and much easier to use all day with propane cylinders instead of gas.  These augers are great if you are going to fish a few holes each day and don’t mind all the extra weight they have.  

When these were the only powered augers we had available, they were great, but the disadvantages of them have led to new augers.  The weight, carrying extra fuel, being cautious on how you lay the auger down…it is just a lot to think about when you are trying to enjoy a day of fishing.  You can buy these augers for around $100-$150 used.  Anyone who has ice fished for over 10 years probably has one lying around and would be a good low-budget option.

Electric Augers:

With all the disadvantages of the gas-powered augers, companies and technology finally caught up.  Every major ice auger brand has its version of an electric auger.  These are very similar to each other, with slightly different options and price points.  These augers will cost around $500 dollars.  They weigh a fraction of the gas-powered augers they replaced.  

You can lay them down on the ice and not be too concerned about it (be cautious with water on top of the ice).  If you like to chase fish around your lake or river, I would advise you to buy a second battery.  I have used a couple different models and about 100 feet of ice seems to be a good estimate for the 40volt batteries.  This, of course, can vary a lot depending on the time of year and the outside temperatures.  In extreme cold, you will not get the maximum power out of a lithium battery.  These electric augers have really simplified ice fishing. Yes, you pay for it, but in the long run the auger will last many, many years.  I am going on the fifth year of an electric auger with the same original two batteries.  

With the invention of the electric ice auger came the composite flighting for the auger.  All augers were made of steel in the past, but again, technology has made the auger bit so light by using plastic and aluminum to create these ice-cutting machines.  This drastically reduces the weight of the overall auger and allows you to carry it all day long without too much stress.  Most electric augers come with an eight-inch or ten-inch blade configuration.  Eight inches is plenty large for any type of fishing here in Iowa; the ten-inch models would be advantageous for ice shanties and tip-up anglers.  These augers have become my favorite choice for hitting the ice, but there is another option that many anglers are choosing that is even lighter weight and could cost a lot less.

Drill Augers

If you have a half-inch drill lying around, you have an ice auger with the addition of a bit.  If you already have a drill and extra batteries, you have the power source for an electric ice auger.  In the lower two-thirds of Iowa, this is by far the popular choice for ice anglers.  The biggest advantage is the cost.  If you own the drill and extra batteries, then all you need to do is purchase an ice auger bit.

Almost all brands offer bits that are specifically made for easy connection with your half-inch drill.  These bits will cost around $200 depending on the model you choose, the cheapest being the 6-inch model from K-Drill at $130.  These bits will be made of a composite material and aluminum, making this option very lightweight.  If you are an angler who will drill under 100 holes, this is an excellent option for you, as long as you already own a drill and batteries.  If you do not own the drill and batteries, then choosing the stand-alone electric auger is probably a better option when it comes to your budget.  

After you buy a name-brand drill, a couple extra batteries, and an ice auger bit, you will be around $500…you might as well just buy the whole auger system from a tried and true company with a solid reputation.  Both systems are great for ice fishing; it really comes down to what you may have in order to save some money with the power source.

Consider the Usage

The nice thing about the ice industry right now is that there are many good options for ice augers.  Budget is always something to consider, but more importantly is knowing what type of ice auger fits your needs.  If you are not going to drill a lot of holes, then there is no reason to get the best of the best auger.  If you ice fish a lot and drill 100+ holes each time out, then spending that money for a top quality auger is probably best in the long run.  

It is time to get things ready; ice will be here soon, I hope!  Stay warm, stay safe, and as always, take a friend and safety equipment whenever you hit the ice. Good fishing to you.  

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