The ice fishing jig is the working end of the entire ice fishing system. Augers create the hole, flashers show you the fish, rods deliver the action — but the jig is what triggers the strike. The jig category for ice fishing has evolved dramatically over the past decade: tungsten has largely replaced lead as the premium material (denser, smaller profile, more sensitive feel), and specialized vertical jigging spoons have refined what was once a generic category.
This guide covers the jig categories that consistently produce Upper Midwest ice fishing catches — tungsten panfish jigs, jigging spoons, vertical lures, and soft plastic tip baits. Some lures cross over directly from open-water fishing (the Rapala Jigging Rap covered in the walleye silo dominates ice fishing too). Others are ice-specific. Match your tackle box to the species you’re targeting.
⚡ Quick Picks by Situation
Best tungsten panfish jig: VMC Tungsten Tubby — small, dense, sharp hooks.
Best walleye spoon: Northland Forage Minnow Spoon — proven Upper Midwest walleye producer.
Best vertical jig: Rapala Jigging Rap W3 — open-water producer that owns ice fishing too.
Best heavy spoon: Acme Kastmaster Tungsten — deep water and bigger fish.
Best soft plastic tip: Maki Plastics Polli — modern ice plastic standard.
Tungsten Jigs
Tungsten has displaced lead as the premium ice fishing jig material. Tungsten is roughly 1.7x denser than lead, which means a tungsten jig of equivalent weight is significantly smaller than a lead equivalent. The smaller profile produces more strikes from finicky winter fish, drops faster through the water column (which reaches feeding depth faster), and provides better feel through the line because the same weight presents more concentrated mass.
VMC Tungsten Tubby Jig
The VMC Tungsten Tubby is the panfish-targeted tungsten jig that produces consistent crappie, bluegill, and perch under the ice. The compact “tubby” body shape gives the jig a wider profile than typical pencil-shaped tungsten — the silhouette mimics small baitfish more effectively than streamlined designs. VMC’s hook quality is exceptional in this category (the company is part of Rapala’s premium hook division), and the sharp out-of-package hooks penetrate the bony mouths of winter panfish reliably. Available in multiple sizes (1/32 oz, 3/32 oz, 1/8 oz) and color patterns (chartreuse, glow, perch, multi-color). The 1/16 oz to 3/32 oz range covers most panfish ice fishing. Tip with a wax worm, spike, or small soft plastic for best results.
Custom Jigs & Spins Ratfinkee
The Custom Jigs & Spins Ratfinkee is the panfish jig that has earned a cult following in the Upper Midwest ice fishing community. The hand-tied marabou-style dressing creates micro-action even at slow jigging speeds — the kind of subtle movement that triggers strikes from inactive panfish when more aggressive presentations fail. CJS is a Wisconsin-based small manufacturer with deep expertise in panfish-specific designs. The Ratfinkee works particularly well during mid-winter when fish are most lethargic. Best paired with light or ultralight ice rods and 2-4 lb line. Often productive without bait additions — the marabou dressing provides the action that maggots or wax worms would on a bare hook.
Jigging Spoons
Northland Forage Minnow Spoon
The Northland Forage Minnow Spoon is the proven walleye spoon for ice fishing. Northland (a Minnesota company with deep walleye fishing roots) designed this spoon specifically for the Upper Midwest walleye fishery — the proportions, action, and color patterns match what Mille Lacs and Lake of the Woods walleye respond to. The spoon’s wobble on the drop triggers reaction strikes, while the realistic minnow profile holds attention from following fish. Available in 1/4 oz to 1/2 oz sizes (1/4 oz is the most-used for walleye), in color patterns ranging from natural (silver shiner, perch) to attractor (chartreuse, glow). Tip with a fathead minnow head for added scent and natural movement. Often productive when the Jigging Rap isn’t — different action profile triggers different fish.
Acme Kastmaster Tungsten
The Acme Kastmaster Tungsten is the heavy spoon option for deep water and bigger fish. The tungsten construction gives the spoon a small profile relative to weight — important for reaching deep walleye and lake trout quickly without the spoon spinning out on the fall. The Kastmaster’s tight wobble suits faster jigging cadences than the Northland Forage Minnow’s wider action. Excellent for deep-basin walleye on Mille Lacs (20-35 feet depths), lake trout on Lake of the Woods, and any deep-water vertical jigging application. Chrome and gold finishes are the standards; glow patterns for low-light conditions. The same Kastmaster brand crosses over to salmon pier fishing in regular weight (not tungsten) — a versatile lure family.
Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon
The Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon adds sound to the spoon category — internal rattles create vibration and noise that attract fish from longer distances than silent spoons. Particularly effective in stained water (Upper Red Lake, certain Mille Lacs sections in low-light conditions) where visual presentation matters less and audio attraction matters more. The Buck-Shot crosses over to open-water vertical jigging for lake trout — same lure works in summer at depth. The rattle is the defining feature; pair with bait (minnow head, eye, or small soft plastic) for combined audio-visual-scent attraction.
Vertical Jigs
Rapala Jigging Rap W3 (Cross-Reference)
The Rapala Jigging Rap is the most-effective walleye lure ever made — under ice or in open water. The horizontal swimming action on the drop, the circling motion when jigged, and the realistic minnow profile combine to produce walleye when nothing else will. The W3 size (smallest, 2.5″) is the ice fishing standard — smaller profile matches winter walleye’s selective feeding mode. The W5 produces too in slightly deeper water. Glow patterns dominate for ice fishing (fish electronics show low-light conditions even mid-day under thick ice and snow cover). Pair with a sharp jigging cadence — sharp upward snaps (12-18 inches) followed by controlled falls. Most strikes happen on the fall. See the full coverage in the walleye jigs guide for technique details.
Soft Plastic Tip Baits
Maki Plastics Polli
Maki Plastics has become a standout name in modern ice fishing plastics. The Polli is their most-used pattern — a small, ribbed soft plastic that pairs with tungsten jigs for panfish (crappie, bluegill, perch). The plastic material stays supple in extreme cold (where lesser plastics stiffen), which preserves the subtle movement that triggers winter panfish. Best applications: thread the Polli onto a tungsten jig like the VMC Tubby, with a wax worm or maggot for additional scent. The combination provides visual attraction (the plastic), scent (the live bait), and the right profile (the jig + plastic combination) for selective winter panfish. Available in multiple colors — chartreuse, motor oil, glow, natural — to match conditions.
Ice Jig Sizing
| Target | Tungsten Jig | Spoon | Vertical Jig |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill / Crappie | 1/32 – 1/16 oz | 1/16 – 1/8 oz | Small (W3) |
| Yellow Perch | 1/16 – 3/32 oz | 1/8 – 1/4 oz | W3 – W5 |
| Walleye | 1/8 – 3/16 oz | 1/4 – 3/8 oz | W3 – W5 |
| Pike (jigging) | 3/16 – 1/4 oz | 3/8 – 1/2 oz | W5 – W7 |
| Lake Trout | 1/4 oz + | 1/2 oz + | W5 – W7 |
Color Selection
| Conditions | Best Colors | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clear water, bright sun | Natural minnow, perch, silver | Mimics live bait, less aggressive |
| Stained water (Upper Red, Mille Lacs) | Chartreuse, orange, fire tiger | High visibility through turbidity |
| Low light (dawn, dusk, deep water) | Glow patterns | Self-illuminated, charges with flashlight |
| Under thick snow cover | Glow patterns, bright contrasting colors | Light barely penetrates ice + snow |
| Pressured fish | Natural patterns, neutral colors | Less visually aggressive when fish are educated |
Glow paint matters more for ice fishing than open-water fishing. Charge glow jigs with a flashlight before lowering — they’ll continue glowing in the cold water for 10-30 minutes depending on paint quality.
Live Bait Pairing
Most ice fishing jigs perform better tipped with live bait. Standard pairings:
- Wax worms — universal panfish bait. Thread one or two onto a tungsten jig hook.
- Maggots (spikes) — alternative panfish bait. Tougher than wax worms, last longer.
- Eurolarvae — small panfish bait, particularly effective for bluegill.
- Crappie minnows — small live minnows for crappie. Hook through the lips.
- Fathead minnows — walleye standard. Hook lightly through the back for natural swimming action.
- Shiners — larger walleye and pike bait. Hook through the back or use on tip-up rigs.
For pure-artificial fishing (no live bait), small soft plastics like the Maki Polli serve as the bait substitute.
Common Mistakes
Lead jigs in 2024. Tungsten has replaced lead for serious ice anglers. Lead jigs work but are larger for equivalent weight and less sensitive. Step up to tungsten if you fish more than occasionally.
Wrong jig weight for depth. Too light and the jig doesn’t reach bottom in a reasonable time. Too heavy and the action is sluggish. Match weight to depth and conditions.
Skipping glow paint charging. Glow paint must be charged before lowering. Carry a small flashlight to recharge between drops.
Not pairing with appropriate bait. Pure artificial works sometimes but live bait significantly increases catch rates for most species. Add wax worms, maggots, or minnow heads.
Using the same lure all day. Switch between categories (tungsten jig → spoon → Jigging Rap) when one isn’t producing. Different fish respond to different presentations.
Skipping the hook check. Ice fishing hooks dull quickly against the ice on retrieval. Touch up or replace hooks regularly during a fishing day.
Gear to Pair with Your Jigs
- Best Ice Fishing Rods
- Best Ice Fishing Reels
- Best Ice Fishing Line
- Best Ice Fishing Flashers
- Best Ice Augers
- Best Walleye Jigs (Open Water)
- Best Hooks by Species
- Best Fishing Knots
- Ice Fishing Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best ice fishing jig?
For panfish: VMC Tungsten Tubby. For walleye spoons: Northland Forage Minnow Spoon. For vertical jigging: Rapala Jigging Rap W3. Most ice anglers carry multiple categories.
Tungsten or lead ice jigs?
Tungsten is denser (1.7x lead density), which means smaller profile for equivalent weight. Smaller jigs catch more selective winter fish. Tungsten costs more but the performance advantage justifies it for serious anglers.
What jig size for walleye ice fishing?
1/8 to 3/16 oz tungsten jigs for active jigging. 1/4 to 3/8 oz spoons for spoon fishing. W3 or W5 Rapala Jigging Rap for vertical reaction fishing. Match weight to depth and conditions.
What color jig under ice?
Glow patterns for low light (dawn, dusk, deep water, under snow). Chartreuse and orange for stained water. Natural patterns (perch, silver shiner) for clear bright conditions. Most ice anglers carry 4-6 color variations and switch based on conditions.
Do I need to tip jigs with bait?
Most ice fishing jigs work better with live bait (wax worms, maggots, minnows). Pure artificial works in some situations but the scent and natural movement of live bait significantly increases catch rates. Soft plastic tips (Maki Polli) substitute when live bait isn’t available.
How do glow jigs work?
Glow paint absorbs light energy when charged with a flashlight, then releases it gradually in dark conditions. Charge for 30 seconds before lowering and the jig will glow for 10-30 minutes underwater depending on paint quality. Recharge between drops.
Plan Your Trip
- SST Charts
- Fleet Tracker
- Marine Weather
- AI Fishing Predictions
- Minnesota Fishing Season Calendar
- Wisconsin Fishing Season Calendar
- Upper Midwest Fishing Trips
Related Guides
- Ice Fishing Guide
- Ice Fishing Safety Guide
- Best Ice Augers
- Best Ice Fishing Flashers
- Best Ice Fishing Rods
- Best Ice Fishing Reels
- Best Ice Shelters
- Best Tip-Ups
- Best Ice Fishing Line
- Best Walleye Jigs (Open Water)
- Best Hooks by Species
- Best Fishing Knots
- Ice Fishing for Walleye
- Ice Fishing for Crappie
- Ice Fishing for Perch
- Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing
Tight lines!
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