What’s the secret to unlocking those massive, toothy grins lurking beneath the frozen surface? Ice fishing for Northern Pike is an exhilarating pursuit, but success often hinges on one crucial element: the right lure. Winter water can be murky, and pike can be notoriously finicky. It’s frustrating to drill a perfect hole, drop down your line, and get nothing but the sound of the wind. Choosing effective lures among the endless racks of colorful spoons, jigs, and dead baits can feel like guesswork, leaving anglers shivering and empty-handed.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We break down exactly which lures trigger the most aggressive strikes from pike, no matter the ice conditions or depth. You will learn the essential types of lures that every serious pike angler must have in their winter tackle box. Prepare to trade those frustrating blank days for action-packed ice sessions. Let’s dive into the gear that truly puts fish on the ice.
Top Northern Pike Ice Fishing Lures Recommendations
- Various Sizes & Colors Ice Fishing Lures: A variety sizes of ice fishing lures and colors gives anglers options to adapt to fishing conditions. Two Ice Fishing Jig Kit to Choose: 6PCS, 20pcs.
- Glow in Dark: Ice fishing jigs have luminous effects, Great for darker water and low-light conditions, the micro ice jigs have the ability to attract fish from a wider area. Note: When using luminous lures, please let it absorb enough light first.
- Ice Fishing Jigs With Organized Storage Box: With EVA foam pad keeps your jigs well organized.. Easy take in and easy take out with the jigs. Holds jigs securely in the box, which can protect the ice fishing jigs from collision and wear.
- High Sharpness: The hook can effectively ensure the continuous sharpness of the hook tip after repeated grinding, and has a barb, reduce the probability of decoupling, increase the possibility of catching.
- Best Fishing Gift for Angler: A Great Ice Fishing Gifts for lover! A variety sizes and colors of ice fishing lures gives anglers options to adapt to fishing conditions.
- EXTREME REALISM – A special printing process transfers an actual image of a live baitfish onto the lure, resulting in color and detail only a real fish can match. Down to intricate gill, fin, and eye detail. Precisely reproduced natural coloration.
- REAL S-CURVE SWIMMING--Teamed with a natural swimming action, Can be fished very slow. It really swims like a real fish. – simply too much for the predator fish to resist.
- CATCH THE BIGGEST FISH--MJ-YMX swimbait's main purpose is to catch the biggest fish in the water. If you're chasing double-digit, Lunker Largemouth, Striped Bass, Pike ,Muskie, or Trout, Salmon give them to try on your next outing; you’ll be glad you did.
- ULTRA-STRONG --Built with an ultra-strong technical textile jointing, the XFISHMAN Swimbaits offer increased flexibility that enhances action and provides the durability needed for extra-large fish
- EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE --Armed with two razor-sharp Mustad treble hooks, the Swimbaits deliver a multi-segmented construction and true-to-life detailing that any swimbait enthusiast will appreciate.
- 【Variety of Shapes】The 48 drop water shape ice fishing lures can be sunk or suspended at the most efficient volume,and the 4 balancing jigs are like a balanced minnow swimming in the water,you can choose them for your needs.
- 【Sharp & Durable Jigs】The ice fishing jigs are made of quality lead and high carbon steel hooks with good construction,and the barbed hook point brings you a better penetration.
- 【Attractive & Vibrant Colors】Neatly painted with different vibrant colors and parts of the ice fishing jigs are glow in the dark,all of the design make these jigs be a great addition to your winter tackle!
- 【Great Gifts for Fisherman】Good crappie jigs,also suitable for walleyes, bass, trout, pike, panfish,perch and so on.Great gifts for Halloween,Christmas gift and the fisherman's birthday.
- 【What You Will Get】This ice fishing lures kit includes 48 jig heads and 4 balancing jigs,in total 52 pcs ice fishing jigs.Different shapes and weights will meet your needs.
- 4pcs/pack for this metal lures with 2 silver spins
- Length: 2.09inch; Weight: 0.21oz;
- Metal lures with 2 silver spin and black high carbon treble hook
- Color: 4 different colors, colorful painted with glittery surface
- Great for hooking bluegills, crappies, panfish, walleyes and pike.....
- 8 SEGMENTS LIFELIKE LURES: Designed with 8 segment multi-jointed body, TRUSCEND fishing lure can sink slowly and move flexible in water. In addition, life-like swimming actions make it attracting more catches and provoking predator fish to strike.
- HIGH SIMULATION: With 3D realistic looking eyes and pearl powder coating, this swimbait appears very delicate and vivid that looks like a real fish. A perfect fishing bait that easily cheats the target fishes.
- BASS VIBRATION: Made of high-quality ABS material and equipped with built-in rattle, this vibe lure can continuously emit the fish sound wave to during the swimming to provoke the feeding urge of the fishes and induce them to attack.
- WIDELY FISHING SPECIES: This bass fishing lure can be widely used to catch bass, yellow perch, walleye, pike, muskie, roach, trout, snook. salmon etc. This swimbait is quite suitable for both saltwater and freshwater and functions well in all water layers.
- 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗻 Lures have a wild, unpredictable action, with a unique weight balance that makes furious movement without twisting the line. Jerking the line makes the spoon Jumping around like a hurt minnow escaping its way, that is a great attraction for predators. When retrieving the line, fast or slowly, the spoon makes a 180° rotation left and right cyclically, producing a significant flash and vibration, attracting trout, salmon, walleye and pike to strike.
- 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 Mirror flash surface, highly visible and optically brightened, makes a perfect flash that is attractive to predators. Excellent lures for trout, bluegill, pike, panfish, sunfish, rock bass, largemouth bass, yellow bass, striper, musky, striped bass and even crappie.
- 𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗻 is equipped with 4x reinforced sharp treble hooks, that will grip and endure bigger fish.
- Exaurafelis fishing spoons, with a tackle box it is easier to use and restore. The isolations in the box makes each spoon has a fixed space to avoid hooks scratching other fishing baits.
- 𝐓𝐈𝐏:24h Friendly customer service and email support. If you have any problem, please contact our customer service. If you find some of our products damaged or missing , please contact us in time, we will offer you a free replacement.
- 【Premium Materials】- FishTrip ice fishing lures are made of high-quality lead materials and high-carbon steel hooks. Durable and sharp, the extremely penetrating hook tip can quickly pierce the upper jaw of the target fish. Built to withstand the rigors of ice fishing, ensuring they can be used for many seasons
- 【Glow in the Dark】- The ice fishing hook heads feature realistic convex fin attachments and are coated with high-fidelity paint to keep the hooks bright, making fish clearly visible in low-light conditions, increasing your chances of a successful catch (Tips：Only some of the hooks have glow-in-the-dark function, please choose according to your needs.)
- 【Efficient Ice Fishing Jigs】- 30pcs ice fishing jigs set includes 5 different shapes and sizes of jigs. Each shape has a different color with highly reflective baitfish images and large 3D eyes that works with the barbed hook tip design to achieve a higher hook-up rate
- 【Various Fish Species】- These ice fishing bait kits are perfect for ice fishing enthusiasts, attracting a variety of fish such as crappie, sunfish, minnows, bass, pike, perch, walleye, bluegill and trout
- 【About FishTrip】: Every FishTrip product is well made with great attention to detail, which is sure to increase your catch rate. If you have any questions feel free to contact us
- FONMANG Exclusive 3D Print + Holographic Finish – Advanced polymer 3D printing with a holographic rainbow layer perfectly replicates the appearance of real baitfish while reflecting light like real fish scales for maximum attraction.
- Pro-Tuned Weight System – Designed by professional anglers, this lure sinks at a controlled rate of 5 seconds per meter. The head-first landing reduces snagging and improves strike efficiency when fishing deep structures.
- Premium Mustad Treble Hooks – Equipped with high-quality Mustad hooks for superior penetration, strength, and durability. Built to withstand the fight of striped bass, pike, muskie, walleye, yellow perch, and other large freshwater and saltwater specie
- 8-Segment Realistic Design – Measures 6.5 inches (16.5cm) and weighs 56 g (2 oz). Built with a flexible tail and premium German ABS plastic, this jointed swim bait delivers a lifelike swimming action to fool even the smartest predators.
- Lifelike Details & Perfect Fishing Gift – Exceptional craftsmanship rivals handmade lures. An ideal gift for fishing enthusiasts on Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Christmas, birthdays, or any special occasion. Also makes a premium collectible for those who appreciate top-tier fishing gear.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Northern Pike Ice Fishing Lures
Catching northern pike under the ice is an exciting challenge. The right lure makes all the difference. This guide helps you pick the best gear for your next ice fishing trip. We focus on what works best for those toothy predators.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for pike ice fishing lures, look closely at three main features. These elements help you attract the fish, even in murky water or low light.
1. Size and Profile
Northern pike are big fish. They like big meals. Look for lures that are at least 4 to 8 inches long. A large profile mimics the size of a fat baitfish. Some anglers use very large spoons or jigs to trigger a reaction strike from a giant pike.
2. Color and Flash
Color matters a lot when sunlight hits the ice. Bright colors like chartreuse, fire tiger, or hot pink work well on sunny days or in shallow water. For dark or deep water, silver, gold, or black lures create good flash. This flash mimics the shine of a struggling minnow.
3. Action in the Water
How the lure moves is critical. Pike often strike out of aggression, not just hunger. Lures that wobble, dart, or vibrate strongly when you jig them create more attraction. Good action keeps the lure interesting, even when you pause your retrieve.
Important Materials for Durability and Performance
Northern pike have very sharp teeth. Your lures must withstand serious abuse. The materials used in the lure construction are very important.
- Heavy-Duty Metal: Most effective pike lures use solid metal, like lead, zinc, or heavy brass. These metals allow the lure to sink quickly to the fish’s depth. They also provide the necessary weight for good jigging action.
- Tough Coatings: The paint or finish must be chip-resistant. High-quality epoxy or powder coatings last longer against pike teeth and repeated use against ice and hard drops.
- Strong Hardware: Always check the split rings and swivels. Use heavy-duty, stainless steel components. Weak hardware fails quickly, and you lose your trophy fish.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Lure Quality
Not all lures perform the same way. Small details greatly affect how well a lure works for you.
Quality Boosters:
Lures that incorporate rattles or vibration chambers often catch more fish. Sound travels well in cold water. Also, lures with high-quality, sharp treble hooks ensure a solid hookset when the pike attacks.
Quality Reducers:
Cheap, thin wire hooks break easily under the strain of a big pike. Lures with poor paint jobs chip quickly, losing their flash. Lures that are too light for the depth you are fishing will hover instead of dropping, reducing their effectiveness.
User Experience and Use Cases
Different situations call for different lures. Think about where and how you plan to fish.
Jigging vs. Deadsticking
Jigging Spoons: These are your workhorses. You drop them down and aggressively lift and drop them. This erratic action triggers aggressive pike. They are best when you are actively searching for fish over structure or drop-offs.
Rattling Hard Baits: Some anglers prefer setting a lure and letting it sit still (deadsticking). Lures with built-in rattles or enticing swimming actions work well here. Pike often investigate stationary, noisy objects in quiet water.
Water Clarity
In stained or dark water, choose lures with strong colors (like glow-in-the-dark or bright orange) and loud rattles. In clear water, natural colors like silver or white that mimic real forage are often more successful.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Northern Pike Ice Fishing Lures
Q: What is the best color for pike ice fishing lures?
A: Silver, gold, and bright chartreuse are usually the top performers. Match the color to the sky condition; bright colors on sunny days, natural colors on cloudy days.
Q: Should I use a leader when fishing for pike?
A: Yes, absolutely. Pike have razor-sharp teeth. Always use a steel or fluorocarbon leader to prevent them from cutting your main line.
Q: How large should my ice fishing lure be for pike?
A: Most successful lures range from 4 to 8 inches long. Bigger is often better when targeting trophy pike.
Q: What is “jigging,” and why is it important?
A: Jigging means repeatedly lifting and dropping the rod tip quickly. This movement makes the lure dart and wobble, which excites the pike into striking.
Q: Are rattles necessary in an ice lure?
A: Rattles are not always necessary, but they are very helpful in low visibility or deep water because sound travels far under the ice.
Q: Should I replace the factory hooks on new lures?
A: Many anglers upgrade the factory hooks to stronger, sharper ones. This ensures you land bigger fish without the hook bending or dulling.
Q: What material is best for a leader when targeting pike?
A: Heavy fluorocarbon (30-50 lb test) or stainless steel leaders offer the best combination of invisibility and bite resistance.
Q: Do glow-in-the-dark lures work well for pike?
A: Yes. Pike often feed during low-light periods (dawn, dusk, or deep water). Glow lures provide excellent visibility when natural light fades.
Q: Can I use saltwater jigs for northern pike?
A: You can use the shape, but saltwater hardware often rusts quickly in fresh, cold water. Look for lures specifically made for freshwater use.
Q: How deep should I fish my lure?
A: Pike are often found near the bottom structure or just above it. Start fishing just a few feet above the bottom, and work your way up until you find where the fish are holding.