4 Best Walleye Ice Fishing Lures In 2025

Winter has arrived, and ice fishing season is in full swing. Anglers are gearing up to catch walleye through the frozen lakes. But choosing the right lure can be tricky.

Walleye are picky eaters, especially in cold water. They need something that catches their eye and triggers their hunting instinct. The right lure can make all the difference between a successful day on the ice and going home empty-handed.

We’ve done the research to find the best walleye ice fishing lures. Our list includes options for different conditions and fishing styles. These lures have proven effective for many ice anglers targeting walleye.

In this blog, we’ll share our top picks for walleye ice fishing lures. We’ll explain why each lure works and how to use it effectively. This guide aims to help you choose the right lure for your next ice fishing trip.

Rapala Jigging Rap

The Rapala Jigging Rap is a popular lure for walleye ice fishing. This compact bait mimics a small fish, making it attractive to predators under the ice.

Rapala Jigging Rap comes in various sizes, from 1 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches long. The most common size for walleye ice fishing is the #5, which weighs about 1/4 ounce. This size balances well between being heavy enough to sink quickly and small enough to tempt finicky fish.

The Rapala Jigging Rap features a unique design with a balanced, weighted minnow profile. It has a single hook on both the nose and tail, plus a center treble hook. The tail section includes a planing fin that causes the lure to swim in circles when jigged.

For walleye ice fishing, anglers often tip the treble hook with a minnow head to add scent and flavor. The Rapala Jigging Rap works best with an aggressive jigging motion, using short, sharp lifts of the rod tip.

Colors like firetiger UV, pink tiger UV, and blue and gold chrome seem to be effective for walleye. However, preferences can vary depending on water conditions and fish behavior.

The Rapala Jigging Rap shines in open water areas over sand, gravel, or mud bottoms. It’s particularly effective for targeting suspended walleye in deeper water during winter months.

While the Rapala Jigging Rap can be a highly effective lure for walleye ice fishing, it does require some practice to use effectively. Anglers new to ice fishing might find it challenging at first but often see improved results with experience.

Acme Kastmaster

The Acme Kastmaster is a versatile ice fishing lure that has gained popularity among ice anglers targeting walleye. This compact, solid brass lure comes in various sizes and colors, making it adaptable to different fishing conditions.

For walleye ice fishing, the 1/8 oz and 1/4 oz sizes are often preferred. The Acme Kastmaster’s aerodynamic design allows for long casts, which can be beneficial when fishing through ice holes. Its dense construction helps it sink quickly, reaching deeper waters where walleye often lurk during winter months.

The Acme Kastmaster’s simple yet effective design mimics the movement of injured baitfish. When jigged vertically, it creates a fluttering action that can trigger strikes from nearby walleye. This lure’s flash and vibration can attract fish even in low-visibility conditions common in ice fishing scenarios.

One advantage of the Acme Kastmaster for walleye ice fishing is its durability. The solid brass body resists bending or breaking, even when battling larger fish. It also maintains its luster after repeated use in harsh conditions.

However, some anglers find the stock hooks on the Acme Kastmaster less than ideal. Replacing them with sharper, higher-quality treble hooks can improve hook-up rates when walleye strike.

The Acme Kastmaster shines in open water areas over sand or mud bottoms. It’s particularly effective for targeting suspended walleye in deeper water during ice fishing season. While it can be a highly productive lure, mastering the right jigging technique takes some practice.

Rapala Slab Rap

The Rapala Slab Rap is a popular choice for walleye ice fishing. This lure features a unique minnow profile design that mimics small baitfish, making it attractive to predatory fish under the ice.

Rapala Slab Rap comes in various sizes, with the 2 1/2 inch, 3/8 ounce model being a common choice for walleye. Its forward-weighted design gives it an aggressive look and action in the water. The center line-tie allows for a wide, erratic movement that can trigger strikes from nearby walleye.

For walleye ice fishing, anglers often use a lift-and-drop technique with the Rapala Slab Rap. This creates subtle vibrations on the rise and a circling motion on the fall, which can entice wary walleye. This lure’s side-to-side wobble adds to its effectiveness in cold water conditions.

The Rapala Slab Rap is equipped with two VMC round bend treble hooks, which provide good hook-up rates when walleye strike. However, some anglers might prefer to replace these with single hooks for easier release, especially when practicing catch-and-release.

This lure works well in various water depths, making it versatile for different ice fishing scenarios. Its erratic action can be particularly effective when walleye are less active during colder months.

The Rapala Slab Rap is suitable for both novice and experienced walleye ice anglers. Its unique action and design can make it an effective tool in your ice fishing arsenal, but like any lure, it may require some practice to master.

Northland Puppet Minnow

The Northland Puppet Minnow is a versatile ice fishing lure that has gained popularity among walleye anglers. This jig features a unique design that mimics the movement of small baitfish, making it attractive to predatory fish under the ice.

For walleye ice fishing, the Northland Puppet Minnow offers a distinct advantage with its semi-circular swimming action. When jigged vertically, it darts upward on the lift and swims in a semi-circle during the fall. This erratic movement can trigger strikes from nearby walleye, even in cold water conditions.

The Northland Puppet Minnow comes in various UV color options, incorporating a highly visible, optically brightened finish. These UV-enhanced colors can be particularly effective in low-light conditions often encountered during ice fishing.

Anglers can use the Northland Puppet Minnow in different ways for walleye ice fishing. It works well when vertically jigged on the bottom or higher up for suspended fish. Some fishermen tip the belly treble with a minnow head for added attraction.

While primarily designed for ice fishing, the Northland Puppet Minnow’s versatility extends to open-water use as well. This year-round functionality can be appealing to anglers looking for value in their lure selection.

The Northland Puppet Minnow suits both novice and experienced walleye ice anglers. Its distinctive action and design make it a potentially effective tool for ice fishing, but like any lure, results may vary based on fishing conditions and angler skill.