13 A FIELD GUIDE TO FISHING VERTICALLY
VELAFIT GUIDE · ABOUT 8 MIN READIce Fishing Lures: Control the Drop
Match the lure to the fish, then watch how it falls, pauses, and moves back up.
With ice fishing lures, the first question is not “Which color catches everything?” It is “What fish am I after, and where in the water column can I show the lure?”
A hole turns the retrieve into a short vertical path. You can let a lure fall, pause it, lift it a little, and repeat that same movement. That makes it easier to tell whether fish respond to the fall, the pause, or the lift.
A small jig can suit bluegill and other panfish with small mouths. A spoon or heavier jig can help you cover deeper water or draw the attention of a larger fish. These are starting points; check the rules and fishing conditions for the water you plan to visit.
Want a plain explanation of what each lure family does? Read “Types of Fishing Lures: Give Each One a Job” →. It compares soft plastics, jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, spoons, and topwater by their purpose; this guide narrows that choice to a vertical presentation through ice.
Start with a small jig and an easy-to-read movement
For bluegill, size matters because their mouths are small and much of their food is tiny. Small jig fishing lures are a practical starting point: Minnesota DNR recommends smaller ice jigs for sunfish. Lower the jig to the depth you want to test, then try a slight lift, a short pause, and a controlled drop. Keep the motion small enough that you can tell when a fish changes it.
Do not jig constantly just because the rod is in your hand. Minnesota DNR notes that too much movement can spook sunfish. If fish are nearby, use smaller motions and longer pauses. If nothing appears, make a larger lift to draw attention, then return to a slower cadence.
Try fishing just above a weedbed or along its edge instead of dropping straight into stems. If the jig keeps catching weeds, move it up or shift to a clearer opening before changing its color.
A spoon gives you another way to signal and pause
A spoon fishing lure can flash as it moves and flutter as it falls. Use that motion to call attention to the area, then pause it long enough to see whether a fish follows. The shape, weight, and action vary by model, so check the maker’s notes and test the lure close to the hole before you fish it at depth.
If the spoon drops too quickly to control, use a lighter option or fish a shallower level. If it flutters above the fish but gets no response, keep the lure and change the pause first. That gives the next few drops a fair comparison.
Make the first few drops beside the hole where you can watch the lure. Notice how quickly it falls and how the line behaves. Then lower it to the fish instead of guessing what it does below the ice.
For lake trout, search more of the water column
Lake trout can follow prey up or down, so a lure that works only on the bottom may miss fish that are suspended. Minnesota DNR lists jigging spoons, tube jigs, blade baits, and soft plastics among the options. It also describes working the lure through the water column and watching the line on the drop.
For lake trout fishing lures, heavier spoons or jigs may help you work deeper water, but “heavier” is not a universal number. Choose a weight you can control with your rod and line, and follow the lake’s regulations. Minnesota DNR also notes silver and white as common starting colors for imitating prey such as ciscoes and smelt; treat color as a test, not a promise.
Good lures for trout fishing depend on the species and water. This lake-trout example should not be copied automatically for brook trout, splake, or another fish. Check local guidance before choosing a lure size or presentation.
Pause first; change one thing at a time
If you see fish on sonar or feel a light tap, repeat the same depth and slow the movement before tying on a different color. A fish may follow the lure without taking it. A longer pause, a smaller lift, or a brief rise can help you learn what changes its response.
Use a small lift and give the pause time to work.
Check for a bite on the drop; keep slack under control.
Move to another depth before changing every part of the setup.
Try a lighter lure or a shallower level you can manage.
The best fishing lures are not the ones with the most dramatic color names. They are the ones you can keep at the level you are testing and move in a way you can repeat.
Check local ice conditions and rules
No ice is guaranteed safe. Thickness and strength can vary across the same lake, and snow, currents, springs, temperature, and other conditions matter. Check current local guidance, measure as you go, bring appropriate safety gear, and do not rely on this fishing guide to judge the ice.
The Minnesota DNR says ice thickness guidelines are for new, clear ice only and that conditions can change within a short distance. Use the agency responsible for your own water for current safety advice, seasons, limits, and permitted tackle.
Start with a small jig near the depth you want to test. If fish are deeper or follow without biting, try a spoon and repeat a controlled drop. Change one variable at a time, and stop if you cannot keep the lure’s path or the ice conditions under control.
Questions before choosing an ice lure
What are the best fishing lures for ice fishing?
Start with a small jig for panfish or a spoon and jig that match your target and depth. The best choice depends on the fish, water, and the lure’s actual fall.
Should I jig constantly?
No. Try a repeatable lift and pause. For sunfish, Minnesota DNR notes that too much movement can scare fish away.
Are spoons good lures for trout fishing?
Jigging spoons are one option for lake trout, alongside tube jigs and other lures. Check local regulations and use a weight you can control.