Winter is coming or maybe it is already here and you have one mission this season. Pulling some trophy fish through the ice! Every year us diehard ice fishing fans brave the frozen temperatures and windchill from Maine to Minnesota to break the ice and catch our favorite fish. Whether it is walleye, pike, perch, crappie or trout, we need the right ice fishing gear and what matters most is on the end of your line dangling in front of that potential catch.
There is much debate on which lures catch the most fish, but I’m positive this list will have you covered for any day on the cold hard ice. These are time tested by years of anglers and proven to catch more fish in the winter season. Which ice fishing jigs and lures are the best? The one that consistently catch fish every season of course. We waned to know the answer, so we polled hundreds of ice anglers and a number of lures were mentioned over and over again. Here we present the top 30 ice fishing jigs and lures you need in your tackle box this season.
#30 -Fish Sense Lures Binsky
The Binsky is a vibrating blade bait designed specifically for vertical jigging through the ice. Its unique shape and action maximize all the fish-catching qualities available in a metal lure, producing extreme sensitivity and feel at deeper depths than any other blade bait on the market. The Binsky’s tight vibration calls in walleye, perch, and other gamefish from a distance while triggering aggressive strikes. Available in multiple colors and sizes, it excels in both clear and stained water conditions. When other lures fail to draw attention, the Binsky delivers.
#29 -Northland Whistler Jig
Deadly on perch, crappies, walleyes, pike, trout, and bass, the Northland Whistler Jig is a versatile performer that belongs in every ice angler’s tackle box. It works dynamite in clear or moderately stained water, producing consistent results when other lures come up empty. Tip it with live bait such as half a crawler or a minnow, or dress it with soft-plastic trailers for added action. The Whistler excels when fluttered around weeds, rocks, and wood structure. Its unique design makes it extremely effective for vertical jigging while ice fishing.
#28 – Jig-A-Whopper Rocker Minnow
The Jig-A-Whopper Rocker Minnow is an all-time classic that earned its spot on In-Fisherman’s top 10 ice lures of all time. Originally designed by Gary Snyder’s Jig-A-Whopper brand and now marketed through HT Enterprises, this aggressive-working spoon delivers a unique rocking action that mimics a wounded baitfish. The erratic movement triggers reaction strikes from walleye, pike, and perch even on tough bite days. Tip it with a minnow head or soft plastic for added attraction. When you need a proven performer that consistently puts fish on the ice, the Rocker Minnow delivers.
#27 – CLAM Dave Genz Drop-Kick
The Drop-Kick was designed by Mr. Dave Genz to be the perfect cadence jig. It features a 90-degree XL hook with a larger tie-eye, stronger wire and increased hook gap for better hook-up percentage compared to other jigs. When the Drop-Kick is jigged correctly, it creates a “kick” that Panfish can’t resist. They also designed the top of the jig with a large flat surface, perfect for seeing on your sonar unit with smaller size jig. The Drop-Kick comes in six colors and are all UV coated giving these jigs a great finish. Drop-kick the fish on your next trip on the ice.
#26 – HT Enterprises Marmooska Jig
One of the best all-around panfish jigs for years, the Marmooska has earned a loyal following among ice anglers. This horizontal-style jig features a fine wire hook and fishes heavy, making it easy to see on electronics and quick to drop back into the strike zone. The successful European design showcases a heavy, bumble bee shaped body with black eyes and glow-in-the-dark color schemes across all colors. These jigs are proven winners when jigging for panfish, trout, and finicky walleye. When fish are being picky, the Marmooska’s unique profile seals the deal.
#25 – Acme Sidewinder Spoon
The Acme 1/3-Ounce Sidewinder Spoon is perfect for everything from panfish to walleye and pike, making it one of the most versatile lures in your ice fishing arsenal. The Sidewinder is deadly whether fished deep or near the surface, adapting to wherever the fish are holding. With 8 different colors and the option of bucktail teasers or a plain treble hook, you can dial in the right combination for your favorite fish. Its erratic side-to-side action on the fall imitates a dying baitfish, triggering aggressive strikes from predators looking for an easy meal.
#24 – Sebile Vibrato Baits
As its name implies, the Vibrato has a natural vibrating action. But unlike any other vibrating lure it vibrates on the fall, when jigged, twitched or retrieved steadily. The unique constant vibration is due to the design of the body being deeply compressed with a wider belly and a thinner back, causing it to vibrate regardless of how it is fished. Equipped with two treble hooks, one on each side, the Vibrato is ideal for light-biting fish where two trebles will ensure more fish caught. A full wire runs through the length of its body, connecting both hooks and the line tie, assuring a solid and secure connection between you and your trophy.
#23 – Dynamic Lures HD Ice Fishing Lure
Dynamic Lures has produced one of the most versatile Ice Fishing Lures on the market. With its hollow construction, Dynamic was able to create the perfect combination of sound and action that anglers depend on in the winter months. This vertical jigging lure was created specially for trout and other small to medium sized fish. This lure is not your typical ice fishing bait. This is a high action lure that brings in vicious bites. If you are looking for an advantage on the ice, look no further than the HD Ice.
#22 – Goture Ice Fishing Jigs
A favorite for walleye ice fishing, the Goture Ice Fishing Jigs feature hooks on both the head and tail, making it difficult for fish to escape once they commit to the strike. These jigging lures are perfectly balanced to create an enticing circular swimming action that drives walleye wild. The set is composed of high-quality components for superior performance in the water, and the classic minnow body design cuts through the water column to get you to the fish quicker. Available in multiple colors and sizes, these affordable jigs deliver premium results without breaking the bank.
#21 – Lindy Quiver Spoon
Constructed from lightweight tin and engineered with a distinctive bend, Lindy’s Quiver Spoon descends slowly through the water column with a tantalizing, flashy quiver. To maximize flash, every Quiver Spoon is chrome- or gold-plated on the back. Front colors include four proven Glow colors and Metallic Red, Perch, Chrome and Gold. All Quiver Spoons come with a strike-prompting red treble hook. The Quiver Spoon, which can be tipped with a minnow head, larvae or plastics, comes in ¼-, 1/8, and 1/16-ounce sizes, so there is a good match for everything from pike and walleyes to panfish.
#20 – VMC Tingler Spoon
The VMC Tingler Spoon has quickly become a forum favorite among serious ice anglers targeting walleye and perch. Its unique design produces a tantalizing flutter on the fall that fish simply cannot resist. The spoon’s holographic finish and UV-enhanced colors create maximum flash and visibility, even in low-light conditions under the ice. Pink has emerged as the hot color, with anglers reporting consistent success across multiple fisheries. Tip it with a minnow head or Northland Impulse perch eyes for added attraction. When you need to trigger bites from finicky fish, the Tingler delivers results.
#19 -Northland Tackle Bro Bug Jig
Deadly on bluegills, crappies, and perch, the horizontal-hanging Bro Bug Jig works wonders when vertically jigged through the ice or below a boat. The long-shank hook with BarblessWire Bait Collar is ideal for balancing the streamlined, buggy looking jig head with live waxies and wigglers or dainty soft-plastic tails. The unique insect profile triggers strikes when panfish are keyed in on smaller prey. Available in multiple colors and sizes, the Bro Bug excels in both shallow and deeper water. When targeting finicky panfish that reject larger presentations, this jig consistently puts fish on the ice.
#18 – CLAM Time Bomb Spoon
Time Bomb adds an elusive sound that fish know well. The clicking, ticking sound of prey moving along bottom. The underwater world is full of chirps and ticking sounds, but nobody has been able to replicate the ‘bottom click’ better than this. Time Bomb is a fast-dropping bait with an amazing array of attractions. Tiger-bar pattern in six color schemes. Swarovski gem eye. Glowing epoxy treble. The deal-sealer is the brass element and how it clicks against the other components.
#17 – Nils Master Jigging Shad
Proven to catch monster walleye, pickerel, pike, and jumbo perch, the Nils Master Jigging Shad is specifically designed for vertical jigging through ice or in open waters. Its balanced minnow profile creates a lifelike swimming action that larger predators find irresistible. Also available in glow-in-the-dark colors, these lures remain highly visible in murky water conditions and low-light situations under the ice. The aggressive color schemes paired with the precise Finnish design provoke fish to strike even when they are not actively feeding. When you are targeting trophy fish through the ice, the Nils Master delivers.
#16 – Williams Nipigon Lure
It seemed only fitting to name this new Williams lure after the famed Canadian watershed that produced the world record speckled trout. The Nipigon is a slender bodied 2-1/2“, 1/3 oz. spoon that imitates a baitfish in distress. Effective when jigged while ice fishing. A multi-species lure that can be worked at a wide range of speeds. Finished in the trademark Williams’ precious metal finishes of genuine silver and 24k gold, nothing reflects any and all available light like genuine silver and 24k gold. Offered in 8 colors, all with a red treble hook and a 3D eye.
#15 – VMC Rattle Spoon
VMC Rattle Spoon made with an un-matched resonance chamber made of brass and multiple beads gives anglers the edge over other rattling spoons on the market. The shortened chamber allows the fisherman to impede sound with minimal jigging distance while maintaining action to the lure. Couple this with a wide variety of colors in UV, natural baitfish, holographic finishes and Ultra Glow pigments lasting up to 15 minutes and no fish can resist to bite!
#14 – Rapala Rippin’ Rap
The Rapala Rippin’ Rap is a lipless crankbait that has gained serious momentum among ice anglers targeting walleye and pike. Its oversized profile generates a ton of flash with sharp jerks of the rod tip and flutters like dying prey as it sinks. The distinctive BB rattle system gives off ample sound with the shortest jerks, calling fish in from a distance. Pro tip: tip the front hook with a small minnow head or plastic to dramatically increase your hookup ratio. Available in multiple sizes and colors, the Rippin’ Rap works equally well once the ice melts.
#13 – Northland Forage Minnow
The Holographic Forage Minnow Spoon’s erratic, crippled-minnow action catches everything from walleyes to perch, bass, trout, and panfish. The lifelike baitfish finish and compact design make it a go-to choice in shallow water situations. Jig it aggressively for maximum flash and flutter, or slow things down and twitch the treble when gamefish move in to investigate. Its versatility allows you to adjust your presentation based on fish mood and activity level. Tip with a minnow head, waxworms, or IMPULSE Minnow Head and Perch Eye for added scent and attraction that seals the deal on hesitant biters.
#12 – Lindy Rattl’n Flyer Spoon
The Lindy Rattl’n Flyer Spoon has earned its reputation as a confidence bait among dedicated ice anglers chasing walleye and perch. Its internal rattle chamber produces a distinct sound that calls fish in from a distance, while the spoon’s fluttering action on the fall mimics a wounded baitfish. The combination of sound and movement triggers aggressive strikes even from neutral fish. Available in a variety of colors including popular glow patterns, it excels in both clear and stained water. Tip with a minnow head for added attraction. When nothing else is working, the Rattl’n Flyer produces.
#11 – PK Spoon / PK Flutter Fish
The PK Spoon and PK Flutter Fish earned a spot on In-Fisherman’s all-time top 10 ice lures for good reason. These spoons deliver maximum flash and vibration, drawing fish in from a distance and triggering aggressive strikes. The Flutter Fish emulates dying baitfish to perfection with its flashing, flickering, rocking action on the fall. Forum anglers consistently say the same thing: “Every time I fish this spoon, I wonder why I don’t fish it more. Always catches fish.” Available in multiple sizes and colors, these proven performers belong in every serious ice angler’s tackle box.
#10 – Live Target Golden Shiner
The Golden Shiner Rattlebait is a must-have for every tackle box. Its internal composition is perfectly balanced for a yo-yo style retrieve, and the most intricate, lifelike pattern you will find in a lipless crankbait. Virtually all freshwater gamefish, including bass, pike, trout, and panfish will inhale this lure. The harmonic rattle is so loud it can be heard chiming from below the surface, calling fish in from a distance. For a winter walleye bite, use this bait on the vertical drop through the ice. It revitalized the use of lipless lures for ice fishing.
#9 – Rapala Jigging Shad Rap
The Jigging Shad Rap has more pronounced movement, with slow circle down action. Raising in a sharp “snapping” motion will cause the bait to circle faster. A quick “vibrating” motion can also be used at fixed depths to prompt strikes from otherwise lifeless fish. A deadly weapon under the ice, or fishing open water for suspended fish, also the right choice for working deep, submerged structure. Single reverse hooks on both ends with center treble and eyelet that can be tipped with your favorite bait. Zinc weighted, shad profile in natural, glow and UV color patterns.
#8 – CLAM Leech Flutter Spoon
The Leech Flutter Spoon from Clam Pro Tackle has the ultimate unique flutter that falls and tumbles back-and-forth. The highly reflective plated color finishes flicker light like fish scales. Lure em in with the metal flash and flicker like an injured baitfish. The Leech Flutter Spoon falls slowly because of it’s lightweight and environmentally friendly zinc alloy material. The attracting feathered treble fools ’em every time. Now in high-vis Glow and UV colors that shine brightly to lure fish in. Simply charge with our blue light Jig Charger and watch’em glow.
#7 – Bay De Noc Lure Co. Do-Jigger
When ice fishing with the lure, bait a treble hook or use single hook with minnow, fish eyes, worms, grubs, etc. Use a chugging or bobbing action, a sharp lifting action of about one foot. Extremely effective while ice fishing for walleye, northern, perch and trout. This is very effective in the dead of winter when colder water makes the fish too sluggish to chase a fast action lure. Use with bait! The flash attracts the fish; the bait provides the scent and taste.
#6 – Custom Jigs & Spins Pro Slender Spoon
Since its introduction, the Pro Series Slender Spoon has fast become one of the most popular ice baits of all time, earning legendary status among serious ice anglers. Its erratic, slow flutter on the fall produces strikes when other spoons simply do not. The updated paint patterns and wickedly-sticky hooks make a great bait even better. Forum anglers tipping it with Northland Impulse perch eyes in gold and glow colors report consistent success on walleye and perch. When fish are being finicky and rejecting aggressive presentations, the Slender Spoon’s subtle action closes the deal.
#5 – Bay de Noc Swedish Pimple
The Swedish Pimple is a superb ice fishing jigging lure. Their proven ability to take walleye, trout, Coho salmon, northern, bass, pan fish and many other fish species makes owning this lure a must for most fishermen. As a general rule the larger sizes are for game fish in deep water lakes. The smaller sizes are for pan fish or trout, bass, etc in shallow lakes. All sizes will produce game fish and pan fish if both types inhabit the same waters. Ultra-lite and light action rods, with balanced reels spooled with 2 or 4 lb test line teamed with a Swedish Pimple has brought many large pan fish to the dinner table.
#4 – Acme Kastmaster
The Acme Kastmaster is a timeless classic that belongs in every ice angler’s tackle box. Its precision-machined balance produces wild action without line twist, creating an irresistible flutter on the fall that walleye, trout, pike, and perch cannot resist. The aerodynamic design cuts through the water column quickly, getting you back in the strike zone fast. It will not break, bend, or corrode, retaining its luster season after season. Forum anglers say it best: “You could tie one on and never take it off all season long.” Available in chrome, gold, and multiple colors for any condition.
#3 – Salmo Chubby Darter
From its introduction in 2002, the Chubby Darter remains the only vertical wobbler in the world. Designed for ice fishing, it works vertically whether or not it’s rising or falling. To achieve a proper control of the lure it’s very important to use the correct tackle. A sensitive rod with that can be used as a strike indicator and the thinnest line available are the critical elements of the set-up. These allow you to use Chubby Darter features with maximum effectiveness and, quite simply, catch more fish!
#2 – Northland Tackle Buckshot Rattle Spoon
The Buckshot Rattle Spoon is deadly for vertical jigging perch, walleye, trout, bass, and pike. Molded from metal with a noisy brass rattle chamber, it thumps, ticks, clicks, and clatters to ring the dinner bell for gamefish holding nearby. The highly reflective holographic Baitfish-Image body lures fish in from a wide radius, while the aggressive sound triggers reaction strikes. Jig aggressively in a lift-fall manner to call fish in, then tip with a minnow head, waxworms, or IMPULSE Minnow Head and Perch Eye to seal the deal. Forum anglers call this their go-to confidence bait.
#1 – Rapala Jigging Rap 07 Fishing lure
The Rapala Jigging Rap is widely considered the best ice fishing lure of all time. Originally designed as a winter lure, it has proven itself as a year-round vertical jigging legend. Its perfectly balanced minnow profile swims in tantalizing circles, reaching fish that other methods simply cannot. The horizontal line-tie and solid construction allow it to sink fast and dart erratically with sharp snaps of the rod tip. Available in five sizes and more than two dozen patterns, there is a Jigging Rap for every depth, water clarity, and species. This is the lure that belongs on every rod.
More About Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is more than just a winter hobby. It’s a passion that tests your patience, skill, and ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions beneath the ice. Having the right lures in your tackle box can make the difference between a slow day staring down a hole and a memorable outing filled with trophy catches. The 30 lures on this list have been proven time and again by anglers across the country, from frozen lakes in Minnesota to icy waters in Maine. Whether you are chasing walleye, perch, pike, trout, or panfish, these baits will put fish on the ice. Stock your box with a variety of spoons, jigging raps, and jigs to cover every situation you encounter this season. Now get out there, drill some holes, and tight lines!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best all-around ice fishing lure?
The Rapala Jigging Rap is widely considered the best all-around ice fishing lure. Its balanced design creates a circular swimming action that attracts walleye, perch, pike, trout, and panfish. It comes in multiple sizes and colors to match any condition, making it the most versatile lure you can own.
What colors work best for ice fishing lures?
Color selection depends on water clarity and light conditions. In clear water, natural colors like silver, perch, and shad patterns work best. In stained or murky water, go with bright colors like chartreuse, orange, pink, and glow-in-the-dark options. Many anglers keep both natural and bright patterns ready to switch based on what the fish want that day.
Should I tip my ice fishing lures with live bait?
Tipping lures with live bait like minnow heads, waxworms, or wigglers often increases your catch rate, especially when fish are finicky. The added scent and taste can convince hesitant fish to commit. However, many lures on this list also produce well without bait when fish are aggressive.
What size lure should I use for ice fishing?
Match your lure size to your target species. For panfish like bluegill and crappie, use smaller jigs in the 1/32 to 1/16 ounce range. For perch, 1/8 ounce works well. For walleye and trout, stick with 1/8 to 1/4 ounce. For pike and lake trout, go bigger with 1/4 to 1/2 ounce or larger.
What is the difference between a spoon and a jigging rap?
Spoons are flat, curved pieces of metal that flutter and flash on the fall, imitating wounded baitfish. Jigging raps have a minnow-shaped body with a horizontal line-tie that creates a circular swimming action when jigged. Spoons work great for calling fish in with flash, while jigging raps excel at triggering strikes with their erratic darting motion.
How do I know which lure to use?
Start aggressive and work your way down. Begin with a loud rattle spoon or jigging rap to call fish in from a distance. If fish are looking but not committing, switch to a subtle flutter spoon or downsize your presentation. Pay attention to what the fish tell you on your electronics and adjust accordingly.
Do glow-in-the-dark lures really work?
Yes. Glow lures are highly effective in low-light conditions such as early morning, late evening, or when fishing deep water where sunlight does not penetrate. Charge them periodically with a UV light or camera flash to keep them glowing. Many anglers consider glow patterns essential for walleye fishing.
How many ice fishing lures do I need?
You do not need hundreds of lures to catch fish. Focus on building a core selection that covers different presentations: a jigging rap for darting action, a rattle spoon for sound, a flutter spoon for subtle movement, and small jigs for panfish. Having 10 to 15 quality lures in a variety of colors will cover most situations you encounter on the ice.
Add comment