What if you could pull a trophy walleye from under the ice with the perfect lure? Ice fishing is a thrilling winter sport, but success often hinges on one small, vital piece of gear: the lure. Have you ever spent hours drilling holes, only to bring up nothing because your bait just wasn’t right? It feels frustrating when the fish are active, but they ignore what you offer them.
Choosing the best ice fishing lure can feel like guesswork. Do you need a jig, a spoon, or maybe a vibrator? Each type works differently depending on the water clarity, depth, and the mood of the fish. This confusion wastes precious time on the ice and often leads to an empty cooler.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the most effective lure types, explain when and how to use them, and show you the tricks professional anglers use to trigger strikes. By the end, you will know exactly which lures to tie on for your next trip, turning those icy days into successful catches.
Top Ice Fishing Lures Recommendations
- RATTLING ICE FISHING SPOONS BUILT-IN RATTLE STEEL BALL: DOVESUN ice fishing jigs with built-in 2 steel balls rattle chamber on one side. Exposed rattle chamber delivers delicate and natural Low-Frequency noise. Deadly attraction for distant schools of walleye and perch. Fish will come close and smash the bait. Outperforms other ice fishing spoons. NOTE: Only 3 types of spoons can rattle!
- ALL GLOW IN THE DARK ICE FISHING LURES: All Ice fishing gears are coated with fluorescent paint. Shine brighter and glow longer. Perfect for ice fishing, where extra brightness makes all the difference. Glows in deep water, at night, or under the ice — hungry fish can't resist Dovesun ice fishing gear. NOTE: When you receive the package, please put it under light for a few minutes, and it will glow brightly in the dark.
- ATTRACTIVE LIFELIKE ICE FISHING JIGS: Coated with bright holographic paint, packed with plenty of reflective sequins. Ice fishing lures reflect more light for a stronger, brighter flash. Even in shallow water, it pulls fish in from farther away. Featuring a 3D lifelike baitfish design that looks truly alive. Walleye go nuts for it! Highly attractive and durable ice fishing gear makes the perfect fishing gifts for men.
- SHARP CUTTING HOOK POINT TREBLE HOOKS: Dovesun ice fishing spoons feature upgraded Red-Plated Treble Hooks. Improved corrosion resistance and durability. Perfect for freshwater and saltwater fishing. 3x strong high-carbon steel for greater strength, Sharp cutting hook point for faster piercing. With red treble hooks, ice fishing lures move like a wounded baitfish, keeping fish relaxed and triggering strikes. Let's bring fish to the hook with this ultimate ice fishing gear.
- ICE FISHING SPECIES KILLER-LIFELIKE ACTION: 4 types of ice fishing spoons create different amazing action on the drop, falls, flash, wobbles, flutters, and quakes like a baitfish, an irresistible target for hungry walleye, bass, trout, perch, panfish, crappie. Used ice fishing jigs during fall and winter fishing for vertical fishing. Provide anglers with a fun fishing experience!
- The Northland Thumper Spoon is a go-to ice fishing lure when you need more flash, flutter, and finesse. Its thin, bent brass profile and micro flicker blade provide unmatched action, perfect for drawing strikes in tough winter fishing conditions.
- Made from premium stamped brass with strategically placed bends, the Thumper Spoon creates a unique fluttering action on the fall, imitating a wounded baitfish. This irresistible motion attracts fish from both clear and stained waters, increasing your chances of getting bites.
- An added flutter blade delivers extra flash and vibrationoffering a highly effective presentation that triggers aggressive strikes from species like walleye, crappie, perch, bluegill, trout, bass, and more, even in the toughest conditions.
- Available in 10 vibrant match-the-hatch color options, ranging from natural baitfish patterns for clear water to long-lasting glow-in-the-dark designs for nighttime or murky water, this lure allows you to adapt to any fishing scenario with ease.
- Outfitted with ultra-sharp treble hooks, the Thumper Spoon is designed to catch a wide variety of species. Available in four sizes—1/16 oz, 1/8 oz, 3/16 oz, and 1/4 oz—it's perfect for fishing at different depths. Tested and trusted by professional anglers, this lure is built to perform.
- lead Ice Jig Lure with Box
- 6 Type, Each Type 6 Color Total 36pcs
- Bright Color, mostly Glow in Dark
- An essential lure on the water and under the ice alike, the Northland Fishing Tackle Puppet Minnow will get the job done on just about any species of fish. Built to imitate the action of a darting minnow, this lure darts upward on the lift and swims in a semi-circle during freefall.
- This ice fishing and open water fishing bait is perfect for all species of fish including bull bluegills, perch, walleyes, crappies, pike, and trout year-round. It can be fished in a variety of different ways to get bit in any situation. Rip it up and down vertically, cast it out and pop it back, or slowly raise and lower it to give it a rocking motion that fish can’t resist.
- Northland fishing and ice fishing jigs are made with quality components, so you can fish with confidence no matter what bites. The Puppet Minnow doesn’t miss many fish with two stout jigs on the front and back, plus a treble hook on the bottom. You can fish this jig plain or tip your bottom treble with a minnow head!
- The Puppet Minnow from Northland Fishing Tackle is a lights out lure for anglers everywhere. Available in small ⅛ Oz sizes that can entice panfish all the way up to 1 Oz variations that will seal the deal on pike and lake trout, there’s a Puppet Minnow for any situation. This darting jig is available in five total sizes and fifteen different colors, including UV and Glo options that work well in low light or ice fishing conditions.
- This lure was tested and trusted by the team at Northland Fishing Tackle, and professional anglers across the country. Northland Fishing Tackle has been delivering quality fishing tackle to anglers nationwide for decades. Every Northland Tackle product is designed by fishermen for quality conscious anglers that demand the best in their fishing gear.
- Premium Quality: Our ice fishing jigs Kit features high-quality carbon steel hooks, suitable for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. These durable and sharp hooks ensure excellent penetration, equipped with a barb design to prevent fish from escaping, increasing the success rate of each fishing trip.
- Attractive Finishes: This ice fishing jig set includes 50 ice fishing lures with 10 unique shapes, each in a variety of bright colors and finishes. These designs mimic natural bait fish and effectively attract fish in any conditions
- Bright Colors And Glow In The Dark: Each ice jig fishing lure boasts stunning bright colors that fish cannot ignore. Some lures feature glow in the dark effects, perfect for use in darker waters and low light conditions. Be sure to let the luminous lures absorb enough light for optimal performance.
- Effective Action: Different types of ice fishing lures come with unique shapes and hook designs tailored for various species. These unique designs and weights create attractive, irregular movements in the water, stimulating hungry fish to strike.
- Customizable Options: Ice jig fishing baits come in a variety of styles, sizes, and weights, allowing anglers to customize their tackle to their preferences and target fish, increasing the fun and success of fishing.
- Beads and disk provide flash, sound and water displacement for maximum fish attraction
- Dropper chain separates hook from lure to catch more fish in neutral or negative moods
- A variety of proven fish catching color combinations
- When vertically jigged this lure creates flashes, sound and water displacement stimulating the fish's lateral line attracting Perch, Crappies, Walleye, Trout, Whitefish and more from great distances
- 1 per pack
- 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.
- 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.
The Ultimate Ice Fishing Lure Buying Guide
Ice fishing requires special gear. Your lure is one of the most important tools. Choosing the right lure helps you catch more fish when the water is frozen. This guide helps you pick the best ones.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for ice fishing lures, look closely at a few things. These features make a big difference in how often fish bite.
- **Action:** This is how the lure moves in the water. Some lures dart fast. Others wobble slowly. You need lures that imitate injured baitfish. A good action grabs the fish’s attention.
- **Vibration/Rattle:** Many successful ice lures have rattles inside. These make noise underwater. Fish sense these vibrations, especially in dark or deep water.
- **Color and Flash:** Bright colors work well on sunny days. Darker colors shine better on cloudy days or deep down. Look for lures with shiny finishes that reflect light, creating a flash.
- **Size and Profile:** Match the lure size to the size of the baitfish the target species usually eats. Small jigs work for panfish. Bigger spoons work for lake trout.
Important Materials
The material of the lure affects how it sinks, how long it lasts, and how it moves.
Most ice lures use metal, plastic, or a combination. Metal spoons and jigs are very popular. They sink fast and offer great flash. High-quality metal resists rust, which is important because ice fishing involves a lot of water.
Plastic lures, often used for soft plastics tipped on a jig head, offer realistic textures. Good quality plastic stays flexible even in very cold temperatures. If the plastic becomes stiff, it won’t move right, and fish might ignore it.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good quality lures last longer and work better. Poor quality lures break or don’t attract fish.
What Makes a Lure Better:
- **Sharp Hooks:** Excellent lures come with very sharp, strong hooks. Sharp hooks ensure a solid hookset when a fish bites.
- **Durable Finish:** High-quality paint or plating stays on the lure after catching many fish and bumping against the ice or the boat.
- **Strong Split Rings:** The rings connecting the hook to the lure body must be strong enough not to bend open when fighting a large fish.
What Lowers Lure Quality:
- Cheap paint chips easily.
- Dull hooks miss bites.
- Lightweight metal bends too easily.
User Experience and Use Cases
You use ice fishing lures differently depending on what you are catching and where you are fishing.
Jigging vs. Still Fishing: Most ice fishing involves jigging—quickly lifting and dropping the rod tip. Lures designed for jigging need good weight to sink quickly and a shape that flutters on the drop. For example, a small vertical spoon works perfectly for jigging for perch.
Target Species: Different fish prefer different presentations. Crappie often attack small, slow-moving jigs tipped with live bait. Pike and lake trout often need larger, heavier spoons that mimic bigger baitfish. Always choose a lure designed for your target species.
Water Clarity: In clear water, subtle colors like silver or white often work best because they look more natural. In muddy or stained water, you need high-contrast colors like bright orange, chartreuse, or black to help fish see the lure.
Ice Fishing Lure FAQs
Q: What is the best all-around lure color for ice fishing?
A: Chartreuse (a bright yellow-green) works well in many water conditions. It provides high visibility. Many experienced anglers always keep chartreuse lures in their tackle box.
Q: Should I tip my ice lure with live bait?
A: Yes, tipping often improves success. Adding a small piece of minnow head or wax worm to a jig or spoon adds scent and extra movement. This makes the lure much more tempting to picky fish.
Q: How deep should I fish my lure?
A: You must fish your lure where the fish are actively feeding. Check local regulations for depth limits. If you see fish on your sonar near the bottom, keep your lure just above them. If they are suspended, keep the lure in the middle of the water column.
Q: Are expensive lures always better?
A: Not always. While high-quality materials lead to better durability, a fish might bite a cheap, well-shaped lure just as readily as an expensive one. Focus on good hook quality and the right action for the conditions.
Q: What is the difference between a jig and a spoon?
A: A jig is usually smaller, often has a weighted head, and is designed to be worked vertically with small hops. A spoon is typically flatter, wider, and wobbles side-to-side when dropped or retrieved, imitating a wounded fish.
Q: How do I store my ice fishing lures?
A: Store them in a dry tackle box, away from direct sunlight. Make sure the hooks are protected, perhaps using foam inserts, so they do not snag on each other or dull their points.
Q: When should I use rattles?
A: Use lures with rattles when the water is dark, murky, or when fish activity seems slow. The noise helps attract fish that are relying less on sight.
Q: How often should I change my lure?
A: Change your lure every 10 to 15 minutes if you are not getting any bites. Fish behavior changes quickly. If one lure isn’t working, try a different color or action immediately.
Q: Do I need special line for ice fishing lures?
A: Yes. Use thin, low-stretch ice line. Thin lines sink faster and offer better sensitivity, letting you feel the slightest bite through the rod tip.
Q: Can I use my open-water spinning lures?
A: You can, but ice-specific lures are better. Ice lures are designed to work effectively in a very short vertical range. Open-water lures often need more forward movement to achieve the right action.