Just a reminder to those of you with ponds to remember to make holes in the ice which i am sure covers most of your ponds (including mine). Even if you dont have fish (I dont) making holes in the ice allows the pond to breathe - along with plants and any widlife hibernating in the bottom of the pond.
I think the best way is to boil a saucepan of water and rest it on the ice until it melts, leaving a nice round hole. I am not conviced thought hat a ball floated on the water helps that much. I have tried this and all that happens is the ball gets frozen solid in the ice! Cant see how this crates a breathing hole.
For goodness sakes dont smash the ice. I am sure this would harm other wildlife, not just fish.
