Best Ice Fishing Lures For Pike of 2025
When targeting northern pike through the ice, having the right lure is essential for success. These aggressive, toothy predators require a lure that not only gets their attention but also triggers their predatory instincts. The best pike lures are often larger and more durable than those used for other species, designed to stand up to powerful strikes and sharp teeth. They must also have a strong action that can be seen from a distance, luring pike in from across a wide area. This guide will simplify your search, helping you choose the best ice fishing lures to attract and land that trophy pike this winter.
1. MIZUGIWA Pike Musky Dawg Fishing Soft Bait Lure
- Lure Type: Soft plastic jerkbait
- Size and Weight: 8 inches (20cm) and 45g (1.6 oz)
- Hooks: Integrated top hook and a secured bottom treble hook
- Target Species: Pike, Musky, and other large predators
The MIZUGIWA Pike Musky Dawg is a formidable soft bait lure designed for targeting the largest of predatory fish. With its substantial size and weight, this lure is meant to entice trophy-sized pike and musky. Its soft plastic construction gives it a lifelike feel and natural movement in the water, which can trigger a strike from even a wary fish. The lure’s profile and action are designed to mimic a large baitfish, providing a tempting meal that a big pike will find hard to resist. The bait is pre-rigged with both an integrated top hook and a secured bottom treble hook, ensuring a solid connection when a fish strikes. This dual-hook setup significantly increases your chances of a successful hookup.
The lure’s design is perfect for aggressive jerkbait fishing. When fished with a sharp twitch, it darts and glides through the water, creating an erratic, wounded-baitfish action that is a key trigger for pike. The secured bottom treble hook provides a reliable point of contact for when a fish strikes from below. While the lure is not specifically marketed for ice fishing, its profile and weight make it an excellent option for jigging in large holes. The combination of its large size, lifelike action, and robust hook system makes it a powerful choice for any angler looking to land a monster pike.
- Pros: Large profile for targeting trophy pike, lifelike action, pre-rigged with multiple hooks for solid hookups, and durable soft plastic construction.
- Cons: May be too large for smaller ice fishing holes, the soft body can be damaged by repeated strikes from sharp-toothed fish.
2. Northland Fishing Tackle Puppet Minnow
- Lure Type: Darting jigging spoon/minnow hybrid
- Action: Darts upward on the lift and swims in a semi-circle on the freefall
- Hooks: Two stout single jigs (front and back) and a bottom treble hook
- Sizes: Available in five sizes, from ⅛ oz up to 1 oz
The Northland Fishing Tackle Puppet Minnow is a highly versatile and effective lure that has become a staple for ice anglers targeting a wide range of species, including pike. Its unique design allows it to imitate the erratic, darting action of a wounded minnow, a key trigger for predatory fish. When you jig the lure, it darts upward, and on the pause, it swims in a semi-circle, which is an irresistible motion that can draw in pike from a distance. The combination of its lifelike action and its ability to be fished in various ways—from ripping it up and down to gently raising and lowering it—makes it a go-to choice for any situation.
The lure is built with high-quality components and a robust hook system, which is crucial for handling the power of a striking pike. It features two stout single hooks on the front and back, plus a treble hook on the bottom, ensuring a reliable hookup from any angle of attack. The Puppet Minnow is available in sizes up to 1 ounce, making it perfectly suited for targeting larger pike. With 15 different colors, including UV and glow options, you can easily match the lure to the water conditions, whether it’s clear or stained. This lure is a proven fish catcher that offers a unique and highly effective presentation for a wide variety of fish.
- Pros: Unique darting action, versatile for various fishing methods, includes a robust three-hook system, and available in a wide range of sizes and colors.
- Cons: The large size may not be suitable for smaller ice holes, treble hook can be a hazard without a proper landing net.
3. GLO-X Glow Fishing Beads
- Lure Type: Glow-in-the-dark soft plastic bead with a fish shape
- Glow Feature: World’s brightest green glow, powered by natural light
- Design: Soft plastic, fish-shaped bead with two eyes
- Size and Weight: 24mm long, 12mm deep, 1 gram weight
The GLO-X Glow Fishing Beads are a unique and innovative accessory for anglers looking to add attraction to their rig. This product is not a standalone lure, but rather a powerful fish-attractor designed to be positioned on your line above the hook. Its key feature is the world’s brightest green super-glow, which is powered by natural light and can be seen from a great distance in dark or stained water. The bead’s fish shape and lasered eyes are designed to mimic a smaller baitfish, drawing a pike’s attention directly to your bait or lure. The eyes in particular help to focus the fish’s predatory instincts onto the point of attack.
These beads are made from a durable soft plastic, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of fishing without easily breaking. At 24mm long, they have a good profile for drawing in larger predators like pike. They are particularly effective for night fishing or in deep water where light is scarce. The beads are designed to be placed between the hook and the sinker, providing a visual cue that can significantly increase your hookup rates. While they won’t work on their own, when paired with a minnow on a tip-up or a large jig, they can be a game-changer for attracting pike from a wide area.
- Pros: Extremely bright and long-lasting glow, excellent for low-light and deep-water fishing, durable soft plastic construction, and easy to add to any rig.
- Cons: Not a standalone lure, must be used in conjunction with other baits or jigs to be effective.
4. TRUSCEND PoPobait
- Lure Type: Topwater plopper with a double-blade rotating tail
- Hooks: Equipped with rust-proof, sharp BKK treble hooks
- Design: Extra weight on the belly for long casting and a “roll resistant” action
- Features: 3D holographic eyes, hand-coated body, and realistic fish scales
The TRUSCEND PoPobait is a unique topwater lure designed to create noise and commotion that pike find irresistible. While it is marketed as a topwater lure for open water, its heavy-duty construction and powerful sound can make it an intriguing option for ice fishing. The lure features a unique double-blade rotating tail that creates a heavy sputtering sound as it moves through the water, which can attract pike from a great distance. For ice fishing, this sound and vibration can be used to call in pike from under the ice, especially in shallow, weedy areas where a large commotion can mimic a struggling baitfish.
The lure is designed with an extra weight on the belly, which gives it a stable, “roll resistant” action and also helps it sink. This could be an interesting feature for jigging, as it could create a fluttering or erratic motion on the drop. It’s built with high-quality ABS material and rigged with sharp, rust-proof BKK treble hooks that offer excellent puncture ability. The lure’s realistic features, including 3D holographic eyes and a hand-coated body with lifelike fish scales, add to its appeal. For an angler looking to try something different, this lure’s unique design and loud action may be the perfect way to trigger a bite from a stubborn pike.
- Pros: Unique double-blade tail creates noise and vibration, durable ABS material, realistic design, and equipped with high-quality BKK hooks.
- Cons: Primarily designed for open water and not specifically for ice fishing, may be too large and bulky for most ice fishing applications.
5. PLUSINNO Fishing Lures
- Lure Type: Pre-rigged soft plastic swimbait with a jig head and paddle tail
- Design: Fish-patterned soft plastic with a paddle tail and realistic 3D eyes
- Hooks: Pre-rigged with ultra-sharp hooks
- Weight: Ideal weight for long casting and a slow sinking action
The PLUSINNO Fishing Lure is a pre-rigged soft swimbait designed to offer a realistic and enticing presentation for pike and other predators. Constructed from environmentally friendly soft plastic, this lure is both durable and light, with a built-in fishy smell to attract fish. The expertly designed shape and paddle tail work together to produce a lifelike swimming action, fluttering from side to side as it sinks. This slow, fluttering presentation is a key trigger for a wide variety of fish and can be incredibly effective when jigging for pike. The built-in small metal piece inside the lure helps keep it balanced and gives it a decent casting distance, which can be useful when jigging.
A key feature of this lure is its pre-rigged design, which includes an ultra-sharp back hook. This ready-to-use setup saves time and ensures you have a reliable hookup every time. The lure is finished with a realistic paint job and 3D eyes, and the laser-etched fish scales reflect light to attract fish from a distance. The soft body allows the pike to hold on longer, giving you time for a solid hookset. The combination of its realistic appearance, tantalizing action, and durable construction makes this swimbait a must-have for any pike angler looking for a simple yet effective lure.
- Pros: Ready-to-use pre-rigged design, lifelike swimming action and appearance, durable soft plastic with scent, and ultra-sharp hooks.
- Cons: The specific weight is not listed, a single hook may not be as effective as a treble hook on a fast-striking pike.
6. Savage Gear Hybrid Pike Fishing Hard Bait
- Lure Type: Hybrid swimbait with a hard body and detachable soft tails
- Design: 3D-scanned from a real baby pike for unparalleled realism
- Hooks: Two durable treble hooks with a line-thru wiring system
- Tail System: Detachable paddle tail and oversized ribbon tail
The Savage Gear Hybrid Pike is a truly unique and highly realistic lure designed to fool the most wary of predators. Based on a 3D scan of a real baby pike, this lure offers unparalleled realism, making it a perfect imitation of a common food source for large pike. The lure’s detachable tail system provides versatility; you can use the paddle tail for a realistic swimming motion or switch to the oversized ribbon tail to create more action and attract attention from a distance. This adaptability allows you to fine-tune your presentation to match the mood of the fish.
This lure is built to withstand the punishing strikes of a trophy pike. The line-thru wiring system allows the hooks to separate from the body of the lure during a fight. This prevents the fish from using the lure’s body for leverage to throw the hook, significantly increasing your landing ratio. It also features heavy-duty hardware and two durable treble hooks that will not straighten out under pressure. While its swimming depth is specified for open water, its size and weight (1 ½ oz) make it a great option for jigging in a large ice hole, where its realistic appearance and action can lure in a big pike.
- Pros: Unparalleled realism from 3D scanning, versatile detachable tail system, line-thru wiring prevents lost fish, and heavy-duty hooks and hardware.
- Cons: A larger and more expensive lure, may not be suitable for smaller ice holes, and the swimming depth is designed for open water.
7. TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax
- Lure Type: 9-segment multi-jointed swimbait
- Design: 3D realistic eyes and pearl powder coating for a lifelike appearance
- Features: Built-in rattle to create sound and vibrations
- Hooks: Ultra-sharp, rust-proof treble hooks
The TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax is a highly realistic swimbait designed to mimic the swimming action of a real fish. Its unique 9-segment multi-jointed body allows the lure to sink slowly and move with an incredibly flexible, S-shaped motion in the water. This lifelike swimming action is a powerful trigger for predators like pike, who will often mistake it for a real fish. The lure’s high-simulation features, including 3D realistic eyes and a pearl powder coating, make it appear very delicate and vivid, perfectly cheating the target fish.
This lure is also equipped with a built-in rattle, which continuously emits sound waves to provoke the feeding urge of nearby fish. This feature is particularly useful when ice fishing, as the sound can travel a great distance through the water and attract pike that are not directly under your hole. The lure is made from a high-quality ABS material and features ultra-sharp, rust-proof treble hooks with superb piercing power, ensuring a secure hookset. While designed for open water, its realistic action and sound make it a must-have for any angler looking for a highly effective lure for jigging through the ice. It is a versatile swimbait suitable for both fresh and saltwater.
- Pros: Multi-jointed body for lifelike swimming action, built-in rattle for sound attraction, highly realistic appearance, and equipped with sharp, durable hooks.
- Cons: The segmented body could potentially be a weak point in a fight with a large fish, primarily designed for open water fishing.
How to Choose Ice Fishing Lures For Pike
Ice fishing for northern pike is a thrilling experience. These aggressive, hard-fighting predators provide a level of excitement that few other species can match. However, to consistently catch pike through the ice, you need more than just a sharp hook and some bait—you need the right lure. Pike are sight-feeders that key in on large, flashy, and erratic presentations that mimic their natural prey. The ideal lure for pike must be able to attract them from a distance, trigger a powerful strike, and withstand their razor-sharp teeth. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential lure types, key factors to consider, and specific techniques to help you choose the perfect presentation to land that trophy pike this winter.
Understanding Lure Types
When you’re targeting pike, you’ll want to focus on a few key lure categories. Each type is designed to work in different scenarios and for varying levels of pike activity.
Jigging Spoons
Jigging spoons are a staple for ice anglers targeting pike. These metal lures are designed to flutter and flash as they fall, perfectly imitating a wounded or dying baitfish. Their erratic, attention-grabbing action is excellent for drawing in pike from a distance, especially in large, open basins where pike can roam. Spoons for pike are generally larger and heavier than those used for panfish, typically ranging from 1/4 to 1 ounce. Spoons with a holographic finish or a rattling chamber can be particularly effective. When a pike sees a spoon fluttering down, it often triggers an aggressive reaction strike. To use them, simply drop the spoon to your desired depth and jig it with sharp, vertical lifts. Vary the cadence until you find what the fish respond to.
Large Soft Plastics
Large soft plastics, such as shads, swimbaits, and jerkbaits, can be incredibly effective for pike. These lures offer a lifelike profile and movement that can fool even the wariest of pike. Soft plastics rigged on a heavy jig head or a weighted hook provide a very natural presentation. Their soft body allows them to be inhaled easily by the pike, leading to solid hooksets. Soft plastics in natural colors like silver, white, or perch patterns are excellent for imitating baitfish. Bright colors like chartreuse or pink can be great for attracting attention in stained water. The key to using soft plastics is to give them a subtle, swimming motion. Gentle lifts and drops, or a simple shake of the rod tip, can be enough to make the tail of the bait wiggle, which is often all it takes to trigger a strike.
Tip-Up Baits (Large Minnows or Live Baits)
While not a traditional lure, large live baits are one of the most effective methods for catching trophy pike through the ice. A large live minnow, such as a sucker, smelt, or shiner, rigged on a quick-strike rig under a tip-up is a classic and highly successful setup. The struggling action of the live bait naturally attracts pike. Quick-strike rigs are designed to be set when the pike first takes the bait, which prevents the fish from swallowing the hooks and makes for a safer release. The key to success with live bait is to use a high-quality leader—a steel or titanium leader is essential to prevent break-offs from the pike’s razor-sharp teeth.
Key Factors to Consider
Choosing the right lure for pike goes beyond just the type of bait. Several other factors play a critical role in your success.
Lure Size and Profile
Pike are not afraid to eat large meals. They are opportunistic predators, and a large, bulky lure will often attract a larger pike. For this reason, you should start with lures in the 3- to 6-inch range. A larger profile creates a bigger visual footprint and a stronger vibration, which can draw in pike from a greater distance. While smaller lures can still catch pike, a larger lure will help you specifically target bigger fish and avoid smaller perch or walleye.
Lure Color and Visibility
Pike are sight predators, and color plays a huge role in attracting them. As a general rule, use bright, flashy colors on overcast days or in stained/murky water. These colors stand out and are easier for pike to see from a distance. Excellent choices include chartreuse, firetiger, or bright orange. In clear water or on sunny days, it’s often better to use more natural colors that mimic the local forage. Lures with silver, white, or a perch-like pattern can be incredibly effective. Experiment with both bright and natural colors until you find what the pike are keying in on.
Action and Vibration
The action and vibration of your lure are what ultimately convince a pike to strike. A lure that flutters, shimmies, or swims erratically will often trigger an aggressive reaction. Some lures, like rattling spoons or blade baits, also produce sound and vibration, which can be highly effective for attracting pike in low-light conditions or when they are not actively feeding. Pay close attention to how your lure behaves as you jig it. A subtle change in the jigging cadence—a longer pause, a sharper lift, or a quick flutter—can be the difference between a follow and a strike.
Recommendations for Different Scenarios
The best lure for you depends on the specific conditions you are fishing in and your fishing style.
For Active Pike
If you’re marking a school of active pike on your electronics or if you’re fishing in a known “hot spot,” you want a lure that will draw them in quickly and trigger a bite. Jigging spoons are your best bet here. The flash and flutter will attract attention from a distance. Use a fast, aggressive jigging motion to make the lure seem like a panicking baitfish, which often gets a reaction strike.
For Finicky Pike
When pike are hesitant or shy, your presentation needs to be more subtle and natural. This is when large soft plastics truly shine. Rig a large plastic swimbait on a jig head and use a slow, methodical jigging motion. A gentle shake of the rod tip or a slow lift and drop can be all it takes to make the bait look like an easy meal. This finesse approach is often the only thing that will work on highly pressured or inactive pike.
For a Hands-Off Approach
When you’re setting up a spread of holes and want to cover a lot of water, nothing beats a tip-up rigged with a large live minnow. The minnow’s natural movements will attract pike without any effort on your part. This allows you to fish multiple holes at once and cover a wide area, increasing your chances of finding a hungry pike. Remember to use a high-quality quick-strike rig and a steel leader for a clean and effective hookset.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best ice fishing lures for pike is a crucial step towards a successful day on the ice. By understanding the different lure types and their actions, and by considering factors like size, color, and profile, you can build a versatile tackle box that is ready for any situation. Remember to be flexible and willing to experiment. What worked on one lake might not work on another, so don’t be afraid to change lures and tactics. With the right lures in hand, you’ll be well on your way to a thrilling day of pike fishing. Tight lines!
