Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an ice opening in ice fishing holes and maintaining a live bait supply over a long period including a steel tube of a size to fit the ice hole, closed at one end and having a ring mounted on the closed end so that a minnow saver bait cage may be tethered below the tube in the water. The tube is held down and freezes in place. The tube is removed by igniting a quantity of combustible material in the tube, where the heat will melt sufficient surrounding ice and allow the tube to gently and quietly move up and be removed from the hole with the bait cage.