Yes. The light does work, and well. Like the above post, shovel the area around your preferred spot. Lanterns work well and are the usual choice. I take it a step further when fishing at night in deep water, 20' and deeper. I drag out 12 volt batteries, sometimes just one unless I'm with a group, then they drag out 2 or more. I use those floating styrofoam lights, I drill a hole and set it in. That beam of light is sick in clear water. It will attract fish, but it does not make them bite.
They usually suspend in the water column and you need to either tease em in if they are stubborn, or I prefer to dead stick minnows just above the suspenders. I also don't usually fish directly in the light, or beam, I fish the outside edges. To me night time crappie fishing is the second main reason I ice fish. First being walking on water of course. I fish solo a bunch, so I like the floating light. When I fish with a group we shovel and set up lanterns, some in the shanty, and at least outside of it in between the shanties. I'm sick thinking I'm not doing this at this very moment....
I think lanterns in shallow water 14' and up. And the beam in deeper water 15' and down.
