In short, yes, it’s entirely possible to use a portable fish finder for ice fishing, but to be truly successful, it is recommended that you first drill a hole into the section of the ice where you intend fishing and dip your finder directly into the water. That’s not strictly necessary, but it does make the process easier and less time-consuming. If you don’t want to go to the hassle of drilling a hole in the ice, at the very least, we recommend that you first clear away as much surface snow as possible and find a nice flat surface on which to place your fish finder. Before you lay it onto the ice surface, pour some water on the ice first which will help you to get a more accurate reading of the area around you.