Best Ice Fishing Lures for Perch of 2022

When it involves fishing sag-bellied jumbo perch by way of the ice, it’s greatest to have a bunch of various synthetic and reside bait readily available. Notorious for the way finicky they are often, jumbo perch can simply elude an angler’s greatest and most refined approaches. Still, when the chew is on, jumbo perch can present a great deal of motion—and a few of the best-tasting fillets in all of freshwater. 

Different ice fishing conditions name for various lures—depth, water readability, backside construction, and most well-liked forage are key elements. As talked about, perch could be choosy—however the checklist that follows displays an arsenal certain to catch perch on the hardwater you fish. It simply takes experimentation.

Here is my checklist of the very best ice fishing lures for perch based mostly on private hardwater expertise chasing the scrumptious, gold and yellow striped quarry. 

Why It Made the Cut

The JB Lures Gem-N-Eye Gold Back has proved itself over time as a perch producer when jigged, fished below a slip float, and used on rattle-reels inside a everlasting fishhouse. Best tipped with a minnow, minnow head, perch eye (the place authorized), or “chandelier” of waxworms or maggots, each glow and eye patterns enchantment to the visible feeding nature of perch and infrequently flip damaging and impartial fish into biters.

Key Features

• Genuine 24K gold-plated again
• Sizes: 1/32-ounce w/ #8 hook, 1/16-ounce w/ #6 hook, and 1/8-ounce w/ #4 hook
• 11 colours, together with Glow and Eye patterns
• Price: $4.99 for 2 lures

Pros

• Flutters erratically on the autumn
• Hybrid jig/spoon idea presents the very best of each worlds
• Split ring creates vary of movement on each axis

Cons

Product Overview

Coated with real 24K gold, JB Lures’ deal with designers insist actual gold presents a flash and visibility that may’t be duplicated with paint or holographic finishes. Available in three sizes—1/32-ounce w/ #8 hook, 1/16-ounce w/ #6 hook, and 1/8-ounce w/ #4 hook—and 11 completely different finishes (many that includes large eyes) with hammered gold backs, this jig is a perch slayer by way of the ice. 

One factor that separates it from many perch ice baits is that it may be jigged as-is, fished below a slip float, or stationed on a rattle reel inside a everlasting fish home. As such, it tops my checklist as the very best general ice fishing lure for perch because of its versatility, catch charges, and value level. If I had to decide on only one bait to hit the ice with and catch perch, an 1/8-ounce Gem-N-Eye with hammered gold again could be it. Although the colours Wonderbread and Red Bloodline Glow are two of my present favorites, many patterns characteristic a big eye which is particularly interesting to perch. Tip with a number of waxies or maggots, a small minnow, minnow-head—or, the place authorized, the attention from a smaller perch—and put together for jumbo perch motion. 

Why It Made the Cut

This bladed jig places out a ton of vibration and flash, which is good for getting perch to chew. 

Key Features

• Jig hangs horizontally, hook at a 45-degree angle
• Willow blade hooked up to a swivel and break up ring
• Fish-attracting vibration and sound produced by spinner blade
• Proprietary, Super-Glo finishes
• Made in the united statesA.
• Price: $9.70 for 5 jigs

Pros

• Willow-blade flutters seductively on the autumn, the flash calling in fish from afar
• Stand-up head design good for perch feeding off backside
• Short-shank hook for simple and strong hooksets

Cons

• Lightest weight out there is 1/8-ounce

Product Overview

The authentic bladed jig available on the market, this bait’s distinctive head form, hook placement, hook hole, and flickering willow blade make it a fantastic bait for giant perch. It hangs horizontally when jigged, the willow blade creating flash, misery vibration, and sound patterns that enchantment to jumbo perch. 

This flasher jig is nice for fishing an entire minnow or bigger minnow head. It’s particularly efficient in areas the place there are underwater currents the place it could possibly ship off lots of flash and vibration. The hook angle promotes strong hooksets and its stand-up head design is lethal fished on the underside.

Why It Made the Cut

This tungesten jig is good for fishing finesse baits or small reside baits. 

Key Features

• Sizes: 1/12-, 1/16-, 1/32-, and 1/60-ounce
• 22 colours, together with many glow choices
• Price: $2.50 per jig

Pros

• Wide hook hole for strong hooksets
• Falls quick to fish and cuts by way of slush
• Ideal for tipping with reside bait or micro-plastics
• Ultra-sharp hook

Cons

Product Overview

It appears each producer is manufacturing tungsten jigs as of late. Custom Jigs & Spins have been providing clients tungsten for years now and the baits have grow to be a staple with skilled event ice anglers and weekend warriors alike. When it involves finesse fishing for perch, the Chekai Tungsten will get the job accomplished.I’ve fished them extensively and when a small, tungsten jig known as for to actually finesse bait-wary perch, that is my go-to, both tipped with a micro-plastic, waxies, or maggots.

Why It Made the Cut

You can spend extra time fishing, and fewer time rigging with this tungest jig and bloodworm combo. 

Key Features

• Diminutive sizes cater to finesse fishing
• Pre-rigged Mud Bug tungsten jig head with rugged bloodworm micro-plastic
• Sticky-sharp hook
• Sizes: 1/16- and 1/28-ounce
• Match-the-hatch and glow colour choices
• Rugged Impulse Bloodworm plastic physique

Pros

• Sinks rapidly and punches by way of slush 
• Closely mimics an actual bloodworm
• Excels when perch are feeding out of the mud on macroinvertebrates

Cons

• Limited colour pairing of tungsten jig head and plastic

Product Overview

There are many conditions when perch nostril down within the mud or tender, weedy bottoms gorging themselves on larval and nymph life, particularly rising bloodworms. These conditions name for down-sizing displays considerably, however you continue to wish to get to the underside fast, therefore the tungsten jig head. “Puffing” the underside with the bait is a good way to draw feeding perch.

Rather than having to rig up a tungsten jig heads with tiny plastics with numb fingers, Northland makes it simple to seize a pre-rigged bait and begin fishing. It’s the right marriage of two confirmed baits—the Impulse Bloodworm tender plastic and the Northland Tungsten Mud Bug Head. Matched with the uniquely-molded jig head, the plastic and head combo seems to be about as near a bloodworm as something presently out there to ice anglers, good for when perch are nosing into the mud for bloodworms and macroinvertebrates and passing on minnows. The jig design has a substantial hook hole, too, for simple hooksets. 

Why It Made the Cut

When hopping from hole-to-hole, this small rattle bait is nice for seeking out probably the most lively perch by way of the water column. 

Key Features

• Lipless, deep stomach baitfish profile
• VMC black nickel treble hooks
• 1 1/8-inch physique dimension
• 21 colours out there
• Natural forage, glow, and UV choices
• Price:  $7.49 to $7.99.

Pros

• Fishes quick
• Flutters seductively on the autumn
• Realistic look attracts fish in clear waters
• Loud BB rattles appeal to fish in stained water

Cons

Product Overview

When jumbo perch are on an lively feed—and it’s a race to take advantage of the chew earlier than they give up—it’s arduous to beat an Ultra-light Rippin’ Rap for the sheer velocity you possibly can fish it from hole-to-hole. With its skinny sides, the bait flutters on the drop, typically getting hit earlier than the bait strikes backside. Featuring a BB rattle system, the bait’s loud and attracts fish in from afar. Textured scales and gills with deep-set 3D holographic eyes improve the bait’s visible enchantment. Whether you’re fishing clear or stained water, it merely attracts in fish. 

Why It Made the Cut

This spoon’s loud rattle calls in fish and triggers a predatory response. 

Key Features

• Lead body spoon physique
• High-pitched glass rattle 
• Resin end 
• Sizes: 3/32-, 1/8-, and ¼-ounce
• Price: $9.99 (single spoon) and $24.99 (three pack)

Pros

• Rattle calls in fish 
• Erratic tumble on the autumn
• Can be fished quick or sluggish

Cons

Product Overview

A current design change drawing from the huge, lengthy success of the Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon, the Glass Buck-Shot Spoon includes a high-pitched glass rattle that fish have by no means heard earlier than that turns even outdated, cautious and conditioned jumbo perch and walleyes into biters.

The Glass Buck-Shot Spoon includes a excessive pitch glass rattle chamber to play on the perch’s auditory senses. The translucent patterns add to its attractiveness, whether or not depth and water readability name for glow or a forage-matching colour scheme. Available in three sizes and 10 distinct fish-catching colours. 

Why It Made the Cut

This versatile spoon can be utilized with or with out bait and with a Pro Finesse Drop Chain for finicky fish. 

Key Features

• Distinct, fluttering form usually catches fish on the autumn
• Pro-Glow paint with UV coating 
• 1/16-ounce is 1-inch in dimension, good for perch
• Price: $4.95 to $5.50

Pros

• Durable 
• UV coating for lengthy life
• Versatile 

Cons

Product Overview

The Slender Spoon could be successfully fished with out bait, particularly the 1/16-ounce dimension. As talked about, it usually will get hit on the autumn and is nice for fishing by way of suspended pods of perch. All colours can be found with nickel or gold again for varied water readability (I personally like gold in every single place). The spoon can also be out there in glow crimson for Lake of the Woods and glow blue for the Dakotas, must-have patterns for these waters. Green glow provides to the combo for in every single place else. Tip with waxies, spikes, or a minnow head and also you’ve obtained one lethal bait. Or add a Pro-Finesse Drop Chain and the bait immediately turns into a finesse lure that can convert impartial to damaging fish, particularly when mixed with a chandelier of waxies or maggots.

Why It Made the Cut

There are numerous minnow-profile glide baits available on the market at present, however the authentic retains proving itself as top-of-the-line ice fishing lures for panfish.

Key Features

• Hyper-realistic minnow profile
• Two single reversed hooks and backside treble
• Available in 30 match-the-hatch and glow/UV patterns
• Built for long-life
• Price: $6.49 to $8.99

Pros

• Swims in circles to set off bites
• Can be snap jigged and held at depth 
• Lends itself to bottom-bouncing with out snags
• Yo-yo jigging aggravates huge perch

Cons

• Should be used with a small swivel from chief to most important line

Product Overview

Another must-have bait, over the previous 50 years or extra the Rapala Jigging Rap has iced actually 1000’s of fish on hardwater. Now out there in sizes suited to perch and different panfish, on the subject of jigging minnows, there’s no substitute for the unique. For jumbo perch, execs and guides are sometimes choosing the second smallest dimension within the household—the three/16-ounce, 1 ½-inch W3 with one #12 treble hook—which swims in tantalizing circles below the ice, particularly suited to suspended fish. The bait could be fished mid-depth, backside bounced, of jigged yo-yo fashion with spectacular outcomes. Available in 30 patterns, together with 4 new colours together with Fruit Punch, Headspin, Glow Pink Squirrel, and Glow Slimy Lime. There are additionally glow and UV patterns out there. 

Why It Made the Cut

Simply, when different baits fail to supply by way of the ice or open water, I flip to the Schuck’s Jigger Minnow. Its dense physique falls quick and reveals up nice on the very best ice fishing fish finders. The minnow-shaped physique additionally attracts perch however the dropper dressed with waxies, maggots, a minnow head, or perch eye (the place authorized) seals the deal. A fantastic possibility of impartial to damaging fish. It additionally slides effortlessly by way of weeds, brush, timber, and cribs with out snagging, attending to hard-to-reach fish.

Key Features

• Dense minnow-shaped spoon/jig physique
• Features a watch for visibility
• Gold chain hooked up to backside of spoon/jig physique
• Gold longer-shank single-barbed hook hooked up to chain
• Price: $3.49

Pros

• Handmade lures, one-at-a-time in the united statesA.
• Excel at changing impartial/damaging fish into biters
• Lead spoon physique for slower price of fall for suspended fish
• Single gold hook versus treble on most dropper baits, simple for fish to mouth
• Slides by way of weeds, cribs, brush, and wooden to hard-to-reach fish

Cons

Product Overview

Known to many Midwest anglers as their secret panfish go-to bait, Schuck’s Jig Spoon is one other must-have for any ice perch angler. When jumbo perch are impartial to damaging, that is the bait that’ll crack the code—particularly, the 1.5-inch, 1/8-ounce Jigger Minnow, though anglers fishing large perch in deeper waters could wish to dimension as much as the 2-inch Jigger Minnow. Especially nice for fishing round cribs, brush, weeds, and different construction, the spoon slides vertically by way of the mess, presenting a waxy, a number of maggots, minnow head, (or the place authorized) fish eye, to jumbo perch on the hooked up dropper and hook chain. Still handmade in the united statesA., Schuck’s is a small operation however with a handful of diehard followers throughout the Ice Belt who’d want the baits stay a secret. Available in 29 completely different patterns, together with glow.

Why It Made the Cut

This finesse-style bait fishes quick sufficient to hole-hop and get all the way down to perch quick. The gold or glow physique combos are visible attractors to the glowing epoxy-dipped treble hook and no matter reside bait you might have hanging from it.

Key Features

• Small, compact tungsten design
• Three-link dropper chain with #14 glowing epoxy treble hook
• Weight: 1/32 ounce

Pros

• Fishes quick
• Shows up properly on electronics
• Performs on lively, impartial, and damaging fish
• Great possibility for upward-feeding perch
• Price: $5.49

Cons

• Only out there in 1/32-ounce

Product Overview

Built from tungsten, the CLAM Dropper Spoon is small and compact with a brief, three-link dropper chain and #14 glowing epoxy treble hook to idiot upward-feeding perch. It works nice tipped with waxworms, a minnow head, or the attention from a smaller perch (the place authorized). Drops all the way down to fish quick and permits the angler to actively gap hop to seek out lively fish. The three-link, gold dropper chain has repeatedly confirmed its deserves throughout chilly fronts, unhealthy strain techniques, or when fishing site visitors turns perch off. 

How to Choose the Best Ice Fishing Lure for Perch

Forage Base

The very first thing it is advisable work out is what the predominant perch forage on the water physique you’re fishing. Are the perch suspended and feeding on pods of roaming minnows? And what dimension are these minnows? Or, are the perch nosing into the underside and feeding on rising life like bloodworms? It might be they’re doing all the above and simply at completely different occasions of the day. Yes, it may be complicated however with at present’s superior ice electronics, it’s simpler to discern this issue.

Water Clarity

A basic rule of thumb is to fish brighter colours and glow patterns—and lures that emit sound from rattles or spinner blades—in additional turbid waters. In waters which can be clear, match-the-hatch patterns grow to be important to success in lots of instances the place the perch’s imaginative and prescient turns into extra vital in finding and consuming your bait.

Depth

Depending on whether or not you’re fishing early, mid-season, or late ice, the depth that you just discover perch roaming can fluctuate considerably. From shallow, weedy bays and flats, weed-line edges, cribs, to rocky mid-lake humps and drop-offs, you’ll must match your presentation to how deep you’re fishing—and extra importantly, the place the fish are holding within the water column. Of course, with at present’s ice fishing electronics that is getting rather a lot simpler and faster to discern. You may even watch the response of perch on most ice fish-finders now. Do you desire a bait that falls sluggish within the water column for upward-feeding fish? Or, would you like a bait that rapidly races to the underside to draw bottom-feeders which can be right here one minute, gone the subsequent?

Technique

Are you drilling giant areas and hole-hopping versus sitting on perch journey routes/construction or in a fish home? This can all make a distinction as to what sort of bait you wish to fish. For “run and gun” ice fishing, you wish to make use of baits that fish quick like Rapala’s Jigging Rap or Ultra-light Rippin’ Rap, which can enable you cowl water rapidly and pluck probably the most lively fish from every gap. Conversely, in case you’re sitting on a journey route or a chunk of construction, you may wish to use a jig or spoon. Found the fish however they’re seemingly shut off? Go down in dimension to one thing like a Chekai Tungsten and spike, Northland Pre-rigged Microplastic, or Schuck’s Dropper Spoon and gently finesse them into biting.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I encourage you to strive completely different waters throughout the Ice Belt this winter to seek out your new favourite jumbo perch vacation spot. Grab a handful of the very best ice fishing lures for perch. Outfit your self with a number of various micro-plastics and don’t neglect the reside bait; greatest to convey some waxies, maggots, and small minnows as insurance coverage. Then begin dropping them by way of the ice.