Ice fishing can be an exciting yet tricky experience. It is a sport that requires skill, patience, and the right set of tools.
One of the most important things you need to have for a successful ice fishing trip is the perfect set of ice fishing lures.
The right lure can make all the difference between coming home empty-handed or with a big catch.
Make sure you are equipped with the best gear for your next ice fishing adventure.
12 Common Ice Fishing Lures You Should Know About
Unlock the secrets of successful ice fishing with our comprehensive overview of common ice fishing lures.
Get ready to enhance your chances of success on the ice and reel in your next trophy catch.
#1 Jigging Spoons
These metal lures are designed to imitate small fish and are effective for attracting a variety of species.
Jigging spoons work best when jigged aggressively to create an erratic, darting motion. Vary the speed and depth of your jigging to entice fish.r
Best Used For: Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch, Trout
#2 Tungsten Jigs
Tungsten jigs are denser and sink faster than traditional lead jigs, making them ideal for deep water or when fish are holding near the bottom.
Tungsten jigs are smaller and heavier, allowing for quicker drops to reach deeper water. Use subtle jigging motions to imitate small prey.
Best Used For: Panfish (Bluegill, Crappie), Perch, Walleye
#3 Ice Fishing Jigs
Specifically designed for ice fishing, these jigs come in various shapes, sizes, and colors to mimic different prey species.
Experiment with different colors and sizes to match the preferences of the target species. Use a gentle jigging motion and vary the cadence to trigger strikes.
Best Used For: Panfish, Walleye, Perch, Trout
#4 Ice Fishing Tube Jigs
Tube jigs are soft plastic baits shaped like small tubes, with a hollow body that can be paired with a jig head.
Thread the tube onto a jig head, cast it into the water, and let it sink to the desired depth. Use gentle twitches and hops to imitate a swimming baitfish or insect.
Best Used For: Panfish (Crappie, Bluegill), Perch, Walleye
#5 Ice Fishing Plastics
Soft plastic baits, such as grubs, worms, and minnow imitations, can be paired with jig heads or used as standalone lures.
Pair plastics with small jig heads or fish them on a bare hook. Add subtle twitches and pauses to mimic live bait movement.
Best Used For: Panfish, Walleye, Perch
#6 Blade Baits
These lures have a metal blade that produces vibrations and flash to attract fish.
Cast the blade bait and let it sink to the desired depth. Retrieve it with a lift-and-fall motion to imitate injured baitfish.
Best Used For: Walleye, Northern Pike
#7 Ice Fishing Spoons
Similar to jigging spoons, ice fishing spoons come in different shapes and sizes and are effective for vertical jigging.
Use a vertical jigging technique with occasional pauses to allow the spoon to flutter and attract fish. Vary the speed and depth to find what triggers strikes.
Best Used For: Walleye, Perch, Trout
#8 Ice Fishing Flutter Spoons
Flutter spoons are thin, lightweight metal lures with a unique shape that produces a fluttering, darting action when jigged.
Drop the spoon to the desired depth and use an aggressive jigging motion to make it flutter and attract fish. Vary the speed and intensity of the jigging to entice strikes.
Best Used For: Walleye, Lake Trout, Pike, Whitefish
#9 Tungsten Dropper Chains
These rigs consist of a tungsten jig at the bottom and a dropper chain with smaller hooks or jigs above it, increasing the chances of attracting fish.
Attach live bait or small soft plastics to the dropper chains. Jig the rig gently to entice fish, and keep an eye on the smallest dropper for subtle bites.
Best Used For: Panfish (Bluegill, Crappie), Perch
#10 Ice Fishing Rattle Baits
These lures feature built-in rattles or noise-making chambers to attract fish in low-visibility conditions.
Experiment with different jigging motions to produce vibrations and noise. Let the lure settle after each jig to attract nearby fish.
Best Used For: Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch
#11 Ice Fishing Rigs
Ice fishing rigs consist of a pre-tied setup with multiple hooks, beads, and blades or spinners.
Attach bait, such as minnows or wax worms, to the hooks on the rig. Drop the rig to the desired depth and use a slow, steady lift-and-drop motion to attract fish.
Best Used For: Panfish (Crappie, Bluegill), Perch, Walleye
#12 Tip-Ups
While not a lure, tip-ups are devices that suspend baited lines beneath the ice and indicate when a fish bites, allowing anglers to target multiple holes simultaneously.
Set up your tip-up over a location with good structure, such as drop-offs or weed beds, where predatory fish are likely to be hunting. Use live bait like large minnows or smelt, and adjust the depth based on the target species.
Best Used For: Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout, Muskie
Conclusion
Having the right ice fishing lures is essential to a successful ice fishing trip.
Whether you’re going for panfish or a bigger game, there’s a lure out there that will help you get the perfect catch.
We recommend trying out different ice fishing lures and seeing what works best for you.
Don’t forget to invest in high-quality equipment as well, such as tip-ups and dropper chains. Happy ice fishing!
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