A weak or cluttered return through an ice hole can have several causes. Garmin’s installation guidance starts with where the transducer sits. Position the transducer below the bottom of the ice, then observe the bottom and your jig at the same settings. Record the display, transducer model and approximate water depth so you can repeat the comparison.
Change one control at a time
If the view still needs work, follow the manual for the exact unit and try one adjustment at a time. Garmin points to beam width, frequency and restoring sonar defaults as possible checks. Shallow hard bottom can produce strong reflections, while some soft bottoms return a weaker echo. Compare another hole if your setup and settings checks leave the cause unclear.
Created with AI assistance using Sonar Shield’s topic direction and the sources cited above.