As a kid, I was lucky to have my dad, grandpa, and family friends introduce me to fishing — an experience that quickly became my greatest passion. Early on, my dad was all about fishing for meat. Our fishing trips often targeted walleye and lake trout, and the goal was simple: bring home fish for dinner. We never stocked the freezer, but we always aimed to enjoy a fresh catch that night. My dad didn’t fuss over fancy tackle either. He stuck to the tried-and-true jig and minnow, both during open-water season and through the ice — a method he still relies on today.
Spoons for ice fishing
Growing up, I wanted to absorb every piece of fishing knowledge I could find, and fishing magazines were my gateway. My grandpa had several subscriptions and I always looked forward to flipping through these magazines. Back in the 1990s, many ice fishing stories focused on spoons as a versatile bait for a variety of species. Jigging spoons, with their many shapes and sizes, quickly caught my attention. Their sleek profile, ability to sink fast, and resemblance to wounded baitfish made them an excellent choice for ice fishing.
My dad owned a couple of spoons, including an old Swedish Pimple and a Buzz Bomb. Once I found those, I made it my mission to catch my next walleye or trout using them. The idea of actively tricking a fish into biting seemed far more exciting to me than the usual jig and minnow.
By the time I hit my teenage years in the late 1990s, spoons had become my go-to bait for the ice season. I used them almost exclusively for walleye, perch, and crappie, while mixing in soft plastics for lake trout and pike. Even when I started guiding, spoons were often the bait of choice for my guests. Around this time, I discovered the Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon — a lead spoon with a built-in rattle chamber. It was the latest and greatest back then, featuring excellent colour options, and it delivered. Thousands of fish later, it’s still a staple in my tackle box.
Today, while there are countless spoon options available, they all share a similar purpose. They sink quickly to deeper water, mimic a wounded baitfish, and excel at triggering strikes. Modern spoons cover the entire colour spectrum, with features like rattles, clanging components for subtle noise, and variations in material. Some are made of heavy tungsten for a sleeker profile that gets deep fast, while others use lighter materials like zinc, which create a fluttering action that can be irresistible to fish.
Triggering bites
One of the greatest joys of using spoons on the ice is observing how fish react to them in real-time and experimenting with jigging techniques to trigger bites. Some days, aggressive lifts and hops work best. Other days, a subtle shake seals the deal. Often, the ideal cadence falls somewhere in between.
When I start fishing, I like to test different jigging cadences to see what works on that particular day. If there are no fish on my sonar screen, I jig more aggressively to call them in. As fish approach, I slow things down, shifting to a soft shake while gradually raising the spoon to keep it just above the fish. Making the fish work for the bait — always keeping the spoon above them — is a strategy that consistently triggers bites from any species.
When it comes to using bait, I’m a big fan of tipping my spoon with a minnow head. That little bit of scent during the ice season can make a big difference. I prefer using just the minnow head because attaching a whole minnow hinders the spoon’s natural fluttering action. On waters where live bait isn’t allowed, I switch to small scented soft plastics. For crappie, I often use maggot-imitating plastics. For walleye, pike, and trout, minnow head or fish-eye-shaped plastics work well, too.
Rattles vs non-rattlers
At the tackle shop, you’ll find a variety of spoons — some silent and others equipped with rattles or subtle noise makers like “clangers” that tap against the hook. Choosing between these options depends on the conditions and fish behaviour.
I’m a firm believer in rattling spoons for most scenarios. Their ability to call fish in from a wider area often leads to more interactions and bites. However, if I’m seeing fish on my sonar but they’re refusing to bite, switching to a silent spoon can sometimes make all the difference.
In dirty water, deep water, or during the dark days of mid-winter when sunlight barely penetrates the ice, rattling spoons are particularly effective because they help fish locate your bait.
Choosing a colour
Colour is another key factor when selecting a spoon. For walleye, I favour red and gold shades in tannic-coloured water. In clear water, I opt for more natural colours with a bright accent, such as chartreuse or orange. For lake trout, I often lean toward natural colours like chrome, especially in the clear waters they inhabit. That said, lake trout sometimes respond surprisingly well to bright colours like chartreuse.
For other species, colour choice often requires trial and error, but sonar electronics can speed up the process. If fish are approaching your bait but not biting, it’s a good sign that a colour change might be needed.
Tinkering with spoons
As a competitive bass angler, I’m meticulous about my hooks—and the same applies to ice fishing. I often upgrade the trebles on my spoons to ensure I have the best chance of landing fish.
When targeting smaller walleye and perch, I opt for sharp, light-wire hooks that don’t hinder the spoon’s action. For bigger species like trophy walleye, lake trout, and pike, I use stronger hooks that provide the durability and muscle needed to handle larger fish. Heavier hooks do add weight, so keep in mind that they can slightly alter the spoon’s action.
On lakes where bait isn’t allowed, adding a feathered treble hook can give your spoon a unique appearance and entice extra bites. Another simple tweak is adding a split ring to the line connection end of the spoon if it doesn’t already have one. This small adjustment increases the spoon’s movement and provides a better pivot point when fighting fish, reducing the risk of losing them. Some anglers go a step further by adding a second split ring between the bait and hook to allow even more movement.
Final thoughts
Over the years, spoons have earned their place as one of the most versatile and effective baits for ice fishing. With countless options in design, colour, and function, there’s a spoon out there for every angler and every condition. Whether you’re chasing walleye, perch, trout, or pike, the right spoon — and a little tinkering — can make any ice fishing trip a successful one.
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