Ice Fishing Lures

 As the cold weather rolls in, ice fishermen start gearing up for another season out on the frozen lakes and ponds.

An important part of any ice angler's arsenal is having the right lures and jigs for the species they are targeting.

When fishing through a hole in several feet of ice, the lures you use really make a difference in whether you pull up fish or just stare at your depth finder all day.

The main categories of ice fishing lures are spoons, jigging raps, plastic baits, and jig heads paired with live bait.

Each has its own applications and excels at catching certain fish. Here's a breakdown of some of the top ice-fishing lures and how to fish them:

Spoons

Spoons are excellent at covering water to find active fish. They have that tempting wobble and flash whether jigged lightly or dropped to the bottom.

 Spoons come in a variety of sizes and colors. Smaller spoons in gold, silver, or glow colors work well for panfish like crappie and bluegill. 

The classics - like the Acme Kastmaster - catch everything from walleye to pike to perch.

Jigging Raps

Nothing quite has the great action of a jigging rap when snapped and dropped back to the bottom. That erratic darting motion triggers reaction strikes from walleyes and other predators.

Jigging raps like the Jigging Rapala works best when using a sharp snap jigging motion. Adding a minnow head gives off scent and juices to further entice fish. Go bright colors in stained water and more natural minnow imitations in clear water.

Plastic Baits

Soft plastic baits that mimic larvae, worms, minnows, and insects are secretary snacks for panfish, trout, and more. Small tube jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes score plenty of crappie and bluegill.

Berkley micro plastics on dropper rigs catch trout through the ice. Finesse baits like Northland Foska Tube Jigs or Northland Bug Eye Jigs appeal to inactive fish that shy away from aggressive presentations. Fished alone or tipped with live bait, plastics constantly produce fish.

Jigs with Live Bait

A simple jig head paired with a live minnow or wax worms is a deadly combination every ice angler should have in their arsenal.

 This economical setup consists of a lead head jig, your line, and a live minnow hooked through the back/spine, lips, or tail depending on fish activity and regulations. The jig sinks and holds the bottom while the free-moving live bait appeals to all frozen water species from trout to walleye. Add some flash like blades, beads, or gulp to increase fish-attracting vibration and flash.

So there's a quick breakdown of proven ice fishing lures that no angler should be without. Now get out there this ice fishing season and drop them down the hole! Follow these tips and tricks to fill your bucket with keepers during those cold winter months ahead.

Top Ice Fishing Jigs

In addition to live bait rigs, jigs are a top producer when fishing through the ice. Here are some of the most popular ice fishing jig styles:

• Tungsten jigs - Dense tungsten has a smaller profile but gets down quickly
• Slab spoons - Large profile moves lots of water to trigger reaction bites
• Bug jigs - Resemble larvae and insects to catch finicky panfish
• Teardrop jigs - Classic shape for vertical jigging presentations

Jig	Best For	Colors
Buckshot Rattle Spoon	Walleye, pike, trout	Gold, glow, firetiger
Tungsten Bug Jig	Panfish, light-biters	Black, green, red
Ike's Micro Teardrop	Walleye, crappie, perch	Glow, UV, combinations