HoleMate: The American-Made Ice Fishing Scoop Built by Darter Plastics

Part of the America250: Built Here. Built Better. series — celebrating the American makers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs behind every FLI Products innovation.

Every ice angler knows the drill. You auger your hole, and before you can drop a line, you're scooping slush and ice chunks out of the water with whatever's handy — a cheap plastic scoop that cracks in the cold, a metal ladle that freezes to your glove, or your bare hand. It's one of those small frustrations that adds up over a long day on the ice.

HoleMate was designed to end that frustration. And it was designed and manufactured right here in the United States.

HoleMate is a floating ice fishing hole scoop engineered for real ice anglers — with an ergonomic handle, a slotted scoop design that drains water while retaining ice, and American-made durability that holds up in the coldest conditions.

Built by Darter Plastics — American Precision for American Anglers

HoleMate is manufactured by Darter Plastics, one of FLI Products' most trusted American manufacturing partners. Darter also manufactures AnchorStake, Bait Up, Flex Strainer, Stratus Rain Gauge, and Tomato Crater — six FLI Products brands from one trusted American manufacturer.

HoleMate 36 orange plastic floating ice fishing scoop with long handle and engraved ruler for ice fisherman and anglers scoop

What Makes HoleMate Different

Floating design — if HoleMate goes in the hole, it floats; you won't lose it to the bottom of the lake
Slotted scoop — drains water while retaining ice chunks and slush for clean, efficient hole clearing
Ergonomic handle — designed for gloved hands in cold conditions; comfortable grip even at -20°F
Cold-weather materials — American-made plastics that stay flexible and impact-resistant in extreme cold, unlike cheap imports that become brittle and crack
Two sizes — 6-inch and 8-inch to match your auger diameter and fishing style
High-visibility colors — easy to spot on the ice, in your sled, or in your gear bag

"A good ice scoop is one of those tools you don't appreciate until you've used a bad one. Cheap scoops crack in the cold, the handles break, and they sink if you drop them. HoleMate floats, holds up in real cold, and the slotted design actually drains the water instead of just moving it around. Made in America — built for the ice." — Tom Whitaker, FLI Products Advisor

Ice Fishing Is an American Tradition

More than 2 million Americans ice fish every winter — from the frozen lakes of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan to the ponds of New England and the reservoirs of the Great Plains. It's a tradition that connects generations, builds communities, and keeps people outdoors through the coldest months of the year.

HoleMate is a product made by American workers, for American anglers, with the cold-weather performance that only domestic manufacturing can deliver. In America's 250th year, that choice matters more than ever.

FLI Products and the Walmart Open Call

HoleMate is part of FLI Products' commitment to the Walmart Open Call program. Learn more at corporate.walmart.com.

#WalmartOpenCall #MadeInUSA #America250 #HoleMate #IceFishing

Heard on Made in America

FLI Products is a recurring guest on Made in America with Rita Compton and Michael King — hosted by Rita Compton, known as America's Inventor Lady. Listen here: Made in America Podcast

Where to Buy HoleMate

Walmart (online only)
Amazon
Lowe's
Tractor Supply
Target
Wayfair
Zoro
Best Buy
And directly at fliproducts.com

Part of a Bigger Story

Shop HoleMate — Made in USA →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is HoleMate made?

HoleMate is made in the United States by Darter Plastics, a trusted American plastic injection molding manufacturer and FLI Products partner.

Does HoleMate float?

Yes. HoleMate is designed to float — so if it goes in the hole, it won't sink to the bottom of the lake.

What sizes does HoleMate come in?

HoleMate is available in 6-inch and 8-inch sizes to match standard ice auger hole diameters.

Why does HoleMate perform better in cold weather than import scoops?

HoleMate is made from American-manufactured plastics engineered to stay flexible and impact-resistant in extreme cold. Cheap import scoops use lower-grade resins that become brittle and crack at low temperatures.

Is HoleMate available at Walmart?

Yes. HoleMate is available online at Walmart.com, as well as at Amazon, Tractor Supply, and other major retailers.

Who is Tom Whitaker?

Tom Whitaker is a retired manufacturing professional and lifelong ice angler with 40 years of outdoor experience. Learn more at fliproducts.com/pages/learn-from-tom.

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