Ice Eaters for Duck Hunting

Keep Your Hole Open Through a Hard Freeze

When a cold snap locks up your marsh, impoundment, or flooded field, an ice eater keeps a section of water open so ducks still have somewhere to land. It works by pulling the slightly warmer water from below the surface up to the top, which melts thin ice and stops new ice from forming around your decoy spread. Run it before the freeze sets in, and you can keep hunting while everyone else is iced out.

Every unit on this page is a full-size, plug-in de-icer built for winter use. They run on 115V or 230V power, so they're the right fit for blinds with electricity or a generator. We don't carry small battery-powered units — if your spot has no power and you can't bring a generator, those are a different category of product.

Choosing an Ice Eater for Duck Hunting

Floating vs. Mounted

• Floating: The Scott Aerator Floating De-Icer sits on the surface in your spread with no mount to build — just anchor it where you want the opening.
• Mounted on a stand: The Scott Aerator Mounted De-Icer offers a tripod mount option for shallow water with nothing to hang from. For the Ice Eater P750 and P1000, the Shallow Water Stand adjusts height, rotation, and tilt.
• Hung from ropes or a dock: The Airmax Power House Ice Eater, Kasco Marine De-Icer, and Ice Away De-Icer can be suspended from mooring lines, a dock, or a blind structure. Dock mounts are available for the Ice Eater and Kasco.

Sizing Your Opening

Bigger motors open more water. As a starting point, the Airmax Power House Ice Eater opens roughly 40 ft (P500, 1/2 HP), 60 ft (P750, 3/4 HP), or 80 ft (P1000, 1 HP), and the Kasco Marine De-Icer can keep up to about 75 ft open. Real-world results depend on how cold it gets, wind, current, and water depth, so these are approximate. If you're between sizes for a big spread, size up.

Water Depth Matters

An ice eater needs warmer water underneath it to work with. Airmax recommends about 2–3 ft of operating depth for the Ice Eater when it's angled, with at least 1 ft of clearance from the bottom — a unit resting in the mud will pull in debris and can damage the propeller. In very shallow flooded fields, a stand that holds the unit off the bottom is worth it. The Ice Away offers an optional prop guard for debris-prone water.

Powering It at the Blind

• Order the cord length you need. Airmax notes that running an Ice Eater on an extension cord may void the warranty, so pick a cord long enough to reach your power source directly. Cords run up to 200 ft on the Kasco and 250 ft on the Ice Away.
• Match your voltage. 230V models need a 230V outlet or a generator with 230V output. If you're not sure, the 115V models are the simpler choice.
• Size the generator to the motor. Check the unit's amp draw against your generator's running capacity, and plug into a GFCI-protected circuit.
• Save fuel and power with a thermostat. The Ice Eater Thermostat only runs the unit when it's cold enough to need it.

Check Your State's Rules First

States regulate the use of ice eaters while hunting differently, and the rules have been changing — Pennsylvania, for example, only recently added ice eaters to its list of approved devices. Check your state's current waterfowl regulations before running one during a hunt.

Why Shop With Your Pond Pros?

• Help When You Need It: Not sure which unit fits your spot? Email support@yourpondpros.com with your water depth, the size of opening you want, and what power you have at the blind.
• Real Warranties: The Airmax Power House Ice Eater and Kasco Marine De-Icer carry 3-year warranties, and Scott Aerator de-icers carry a 5-year warranty and are made in the USA.
• Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns: Free shipping to the lower 48 states, plus a 30-day return window and price match guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ice eaters really help duck hunting?

Yes. Ducks look for open water during a freeze, and a frozen-over hole won't draw birds. An ice eater keeps a landing area open and makes it easier to get to your blind without breaking ice in the dark.

Can I run an ice eater off a generator?

Yes, that's how many hunters power them, since most blinds don't have electricity. Make sure the generator's output matches the unit's voltage and can handle its running load, and run the unit's own cord straight to the generator rather than an extension cord.

When should I turn it on?

Before the first hard freeze if you can. Keeping ice from forming is much easier than melting ice that's already thick. If the hole has already frozen, you can cut an opening, lower the unit in, and it will gradually melt the ice around it.

Will it work in a shallow flooded field?

It can, but shallow water gives the unit less warm water to draw from and makes it easier to pull in mud and debris. Keep the unit off the bottom with a stand or tripod mount, and expect a smaller opening than in deeper water.

Is "Ice Eater" a brand?

Yes — the Ice Eater is the Power House de-icer, now made by Airmax (it was previously sold under the Bearon Aquatics name). Hunters often use "ice eater" for any de-icer, so this page includes Kasco, Scott Aerator, and Outdoor Water Solutions units too.

For docks, boats, and marinas, see our full Ice Eaters & Pond De-Icers collection.