Abstract: A hollow, elongated tubular member, constructed of flexible resilient material and including an inlet-outlet for admitting and discharging fluid under pressure, is adapted to be disposed in a hole in a layer of ice so that the top and bottom ends extend upwardly and downwardly above and below the layer of ice such that, when inflated, the top and bottom ends expand to seal the hole and to retain the hollow tubular member as an easily removable plug to displace water within the hole and thereby prevent reformation of the ice therein. The method of temporarily plugging a hole in a layer of ice includes the steps of providing an elongated, resilient inflatable tube, inserting the tub partially through the ice hole and inflating the tube to expand the top and bottom so as to retain the tube in the hole.