Fish are less active and less likely to bite in the winter and in low temperatures in general. This may be a problem for ice fishermen, so when artificial lures fail, it’s time to bring out the live bait. Because fish can smell the genuine prey and are more inclined to bite, ice fishing with live bait can be more productive.
Try wax worms (bee moth larva), maggots, spikes (fly larvae), wigglers (mayfly larvae), or minnows as ice fishing live bait. You have two options: drop your bait and leave it alone, or slowly jig to lure the fish.
Best Baits for Ice Fishing
Live bait works wonderfully on the ice, but it’s important to know which bait performs best. These are the baits that expert ice fishermen recommend.
Here is our list of the best live baits that work in most situations for many types of fish.
- Nightcrawlers
- Wax worms
- Spikes
- Mealworms
- Minnows
- Other great baits for ice fishing
Nightcrawlers
Few baits are as versatile than the nightcrawler. They just catch fish all year. Worms appear to be enticing to trout, panfish, and walleye.
A huge nightcrawler on a size 8 hook can catch almost anything. I like to hang fish slightly off the bottom using a marshmallow to float them up.
A bit of worm on a tungsten jig can truly slaughter the panfish. Tipping a little bit of worm into a variety of lures improves them significantly.
Even walleye are drawn to a tasty nightcrawler. I’ve had a lot of luck with a nightcrawler on a 1/8 ounce jig. Drop it to the bottom and gently tap it to loosen the silt. Walleye usually suction it off the bottom after the initial drop, and the struggle begins.
Of course, you can buy worms at tackle stores, but it is really simple to collect a year’s supply of worms from your own yard. Learn how to identify and care for worms by reading our worm collecting page.
Waxworms
There are several debates among ice fishermen concerning the optimal presentation and baits for fishing. The one thing everyone can agree on is always bringing some wax worms.
Wax worms have long been a favorite ice fishing bait. They are the larval form of the bee month and may grow up to an inch in length. Waxies are often white in color and do well in frigid temperatures.
They are not a natural food source for most fish, yet they cannot avoid eating them.
Wax worms are most commonly used to catch panfish. Tie a handful of these grubs on a little tungsten jig or a standard size 10 hook. It won’t be long until you’ve had a limit flopping at your feet.
Nothing prevents larger fish, such as walleye and trout, from finding waxies fascinating. Stick with your favorite jigging lures, but simply tip the hooks with a couple grubs and your plain old lure looks a whole lot nicer to finicky fish.
Store your wax worms at room temperature between journeys to get the most out of them. Avoid allowing them to freeze when out on the ice. For the most active larvae, I keep the container in an inner pocket. Wax worms can be kept between 55°F and 65°F for 1-2 months.
During the ice fishing season, most tackle stores will have wax worms on hand. Because they are popular reptile food, pet retailers maintain a good supply on hand. There are also online retailers.
Spikes
Maggots, and more specifically, spikes, a type of maggot, are one of the best choices for ice fishing bait. While these crawlers are unappetizing to us humans, fish will be lured in.
Spikes are small, so they’re often used for catching smaller panfish. They can catch larger species as well, however, and they are inexpensive and easy prey to use. If you’re trying to catch a larger fish, hook multiple spikes. Other larvae work great as well!
Another little larvae to add to the pile. These bluebottle fly maggots are somewhat smaller than wax worms and are suitable for a wide range of fish. They are little approximately 1/2 inch long, but their robust shell keeps them on the hook for a longer period of time.
Many fishermen use them only for bluegill and sunfish, although trout and whitefish are particularly fond of them.
A tiny Kastmaster or Swedish Pimple topped with a couple spikes works well on whitefish. These little maggots appear to be the perfect size for their tiny mouths.
Many fishermen are frustrated by the difficulty of keeping spikes alive and preventing them from pupating. In general, spikes should be stored in the coldest part of your refrigerator in a sealed container.
But you don’t want them to freeze. They should be OK for the duration of the season. If I remove the spikes from the fridge and warm them up too frequently, they tend to pupate or die soon. This is avoided by simply bringing what I need for a day of fishing.
When it comes to acquiring spikes, dedicated tackle shops and internet suppliers are your best choice.
Mealworms are the larval stage of a darkling beetle and are a popular ice bait. These chubby grubs range in length from 1/4 to 1 inch.
Mealworms are an excellent trout and panfish bait. They are fished in the same manner as wax worms. They may be fished alone on a jig or hook, but they perform best as a tipping bait on spoons and ice jigs.
They are often not particularly cold resistant, which is why most fishermen use them as the weather begins to warm. They do, however, remain on the hook nicely, and where one grub is excellent, numerous are better. To amplify the aroma of the larger mealies, hook them sideways and compress them a little.
Keep them warm by putting them in a pocket or near a heater, just like the wax worms. If you give them a piece of potato or another vegetable after your ice fishing expedition, you may keep them in the refrigerator for up to a year. Beware, they may eventually transform into beetles.
You may find them in fishing shops or pet stores.
Mealworms
Mealworms are the larval stage of a darkling beetle and are a favorite bait for ice fisherman. These plump grubs range in length from 1/4 to 1 inch.
Mealworms make excellent trout and panfish bait. They are caught in the same manner as wax worms. They perform well as a tipping bait on spoons and ice jigs when fished plain on a jig or hook.
They are not typically cold resistant, which is why most fishermen use them as the weather begins to warm. They do, however, remain nicely on a hook and where one grub is excellent, numerous are better. Hook the particularly huge mealies sideways and compress them a little to boost their aroma.
Keep them warm by putting them in a pocket or near a heater, just like the wax worms. If you give them a piece of potato or another vegetable after your ice fishing expedition, you may keep them in the refrigerator for up to a year. Beware, they may eventually transform into beetles.
You may find them in fishing shops or pet stores.
Minnows
Nothing is more natural than a struggling minnow’s vibrant motion, and few baits attract as many fish. If you’re looking for huge walleye and slab crappie, minnows are the bait for you.
For ice fishing, the most common baits are fatheads, shiners, and sucker minnows. Keep a range of sizes on available since you never know what the fish may be looking for on any given day.
A popular technique for catching walleye is to deadstick a minnow on a tiny spoon or ice jig and suspend it with the tail barely striking the bottom. This generates exactly the right amount of ruckus and flare. Walleye in the vicinity will quickly turn around and pin it to the bottom. Keep an eye out for a single firm tap on your rod tip.
When targeting crappie, 1-2 inch minnows perform nicely. There are several methods for hooking them. Under the dorsal fin, through the lips, or through the skull. It all comes down to how you want to show the minnow to the fish.
Minnows die fast when caught through the mouth because it prevents them from breathing. As a result, I prefer to hook them under the dorsal fin. I hook them through the head with an ice jig. Surprisingly, this does not kill them, and they remain on the hook for a longer period of time.
Keeping a supply of minnows is more difficult logistically than keeping worms or maggots. Purchasing fresh minnows every day provides the highest quality. However, even if they die, not all is lost. When the fish are on a scavenging frenzy, dead minnows are the ticket.
Other great baits for ice fishing
There are several different baits that attract a lot of fish. While these are not called live baits, they are worth their weight in gold.
- Powerbait is a great choice for trout and panfish. Allow it to dangle from a naked hook or use it to tip a tiny jig or worm. In either case, it is a definite way to reach your limit.
- Salmon eggs are popular among whitefish, kokanee, and trout fisherman. To get the eggs near to your aim, use a little spoon. Red eggs are the most popular, but don’t be afraid to experiment with different hues such as orange or yellow. Fish will sometimes prefer one hue over another.
- Natural tastes and smells are sometimes preferable to artificial baits in cut bait. Save some chopped bait to top your lures when your live minnows die or you have crumbs from cleaned fish. Deadsticking is also an excellent technique for presenting cut bait to foraging walleye or lake trout.
Conclusion
It’s always fun to test out new ice fishing lures and add to your collection. Remember that when everything else fails, sometimes the simplest tactics work. One of the live baits on this list may perhaps persuade you to try some tried and true ways this ice fishing season.
Have fun!