Perch ice fishing is a favorite of most people, as it is fairly challenging. It is not only delicious but is also plentiful throughout the year. So, ice fishing for perch is quite common.
Still, you need to have the right lures to attract it.
So, read on to find the best lures to avoid the disappointment of having to return empty-handed from fishing.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Perch Ice Fishing Lures
- OUR TOP PICK: Lindy Perch Talker Ice Jig
- RUNNER-UP: Tailored Tackle Ice Fishing Jigs Lures
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Dr.Fish Ice Fishing Jigs kit Fishing Hard Lure
Comparison Chart of the Best Perch Ice Fishing Lures
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Can Any Lures Be Used For Perch?
No, you cannot use just any lures for perch ice fishing. Lures are usually not very attractive, and they have to be extra jiggly to attract perch. You need to use a specific size and type of lures for this task.
Since the sunset and sunrise are the prime times for perch feeding, there is an issue of restricted light. To overcome this, lures have to be bright colored so that they do not go unnoticed. The fish also go deeper underwater during winter, so the lures should be able to reach them. Thus, you need certain lures if you want a considerable catch.
What Makes a Lure Great For Ice Fishing Perch?
There are many lures for perch ice fishing on the market at present. But not all of them are effective when it comes to fishing in ice-cold water. So, you have to look for certain specifications to ensure a great fishing experience, including:
Jiggling
All the great lures for this type of fishing come with a high jiggling factor. The jiggling movements produce swift yet small currents in the water to attract larger fish. So, the greater the jiggling of a lure, the better stimulation it will provide to perch.
Bright Colors
The lures should have bright colors so that they attract fish even in low light conditions. This is because there is less light at feeding times. So, bright colors help the lures become more prominent to the perch, ensuring a better catch.
Tailored Tackle Ice Fishing Jigs Lures
High Density
Another thing that makes lures great for ice fishing perch is a high density of construction material.
A higher density ensures that the lure can go deeper into the water in case the fish are at a greater depth.
Sharp Hook
The sharpness of the hook is important for all kinds of fishing, but it is significantly more important for perch ice fishing.
Perch are more aggressive than other fish varieties, so they need sharper hooks to keep them hooked to the fishing line.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
Type of Lure: The lure type. Can include, jig, spoon, plug, etc.
Materials: The materials the lure is made of.
Lure Size: The size of the lure is measured in ounces (oz) and also by the length.
Color(s): The main color(s) of the lure.
Hook Size: The size of the hook attached to the lure.
Review of the Best Perch Ice Fishing Lures
As we have already told you what makes a lure appropriate for perch ice fishing, now it is time for you to see some of the lures available on the market that meet the above criteria.
Best Overall:
Lindy Perch Talker Ice Jig
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are quite happy with these lures as they have really bright colors. The vertical jig helped them reach deeper down in the water. They found these lures affordable and very efficient in their work at the same time.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The bright red hook at the base of these lures helps them stand out to us the most. The hooks have multiple pointed edges that provide a firm hold of perches. The chain above the hook detaches it from the jig, making sure the fish do not bite into the jig’s body.
Who Will Use This Most
This lure is most useful for people who prefer deep ice fishing. It helps even in intensely cold weather when the perch move to the deeper levels. The chain protects the main body of the jig, ensuring that you can use it more frequently.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on this lure is that it is one of the best options available on the market. It has a nice-build, so you can use it for multiple fishing rounds. The price is also great, so getting this lure will do you good in several ways.
Product Specs
Type of Lure:
Jigs
Materials:
Brass
Lure Size:
Small, medium and 1/8, 1/16 oz
Color(s):
Candy cane, Fire Tiger, Glow, Golden Shiner, Metallic Pink Chrome, Metallic Red Chrome, Perch, Sherbet, Shiner, Tullibee
Runner-up:
Tailored Tackle Ice Fishing Jigs Lures
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This lures kit has hit home with most of the recent buyers due to its well-thought-out assorting. Buyers reported that they could easily find the right jigs for the right kind of fish whenever needed. They also liked the construction of the box, which keeps all the jigs safe.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It catches our eye with the availability of 75 pieces in a well-organized kit. The jigs are of various colors, which are sure to get noticed by the perch. There are two types of hooks inside the kit. The users can choose the hook according to the weather and fishing needs.
Who Will Use This Most
We find this lures kit to be best suited for those who go fishing in groups. If your kids love fishing too and you want them to join you in the adventure, then this is great. It is also suitable for friends who like to share jigs while fishing.
Bottom Line
The final word on these lures is that they are going to be very helpful for ice fishing. The jigs are arranged in a neat manner, making it easier for you to choose the bits that you need. Moreover, the jigs look quite cool with all the hooks and creative designs.
Product Specs
Type of Lure:
Jigs & Soft plastics
Lure Size:
Various Lengths and 1/32 , 1/16 , 1/12 , 1/8 oz
Color(s):
Perch Tiger, Chartreuse Glow, Orange Tiger, Gold - Black
Hook Size:
#2, #4, #6
Best for the Money:
Dr.Fish Ice Fishing Jigs kit Fishing Hard Lure
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Soon after being purchased, this lure set succeeded in impressing the people who bought it lately. Buyers liked the overall kit a lot as it has an appreciable diversity of jig designs in it. They are quite fond of the colorful assortment of the jigs, which have a reliable construction as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The high carbon steel hooks in these lures help them gain our approval. They have a very sturdy construction and do not go out of shape even when used repetitively. The set has 29 lures in different sizes and colors. Other than this, they have a higher density lead construction, which helps in ice fishing.
Who Will Use This Most
These lures are your best bet if you want to have a long-term investment without spending too much money. They are well-built and have all the major features that expensive lures have. So, if you are on a budget, then you will love using these.
Bottom Line
Summing it all up, we found these lures quite impressive in terms of pricing and quality. The jigs have a smooth body that produces strong circles to lure in big perch. They come in different sizes, so almost everyone from your family can use them.
Product Specs
Type of Lure:
Jigs
Materials:
High Carbon Steel
Lure Size:
1/16 oz and 0.8" or 1"
Color(s):
Variety
Editor's Pick:
Bassdash Ice Fishing Lure
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who bought the Bassdash ice fishing lures recently gave positive reviews mostly. They love the overall build quality of the lures and their efficiency of work. They hardly miss any perch, so the buyers loved using these.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It makes it to our list because of its durable lead construction, which ensures longer and reliable use. There are 24 lures in the kit, which are divided into groups of six and have diverse colors. Another great thing about them is that users can put wax worms on to attract them even more.
Who Will Use This Most
These lures are perfect for you if you love to be organized. The foam pad in the kit helps you sort all the jigs based on the preference of use or color codes. These lures also glow in the dark, so they will be helpful in low light conditions as well.
Bottom Line
All in all, these lures have high usability based on a variety of sizes and colors. The jigs also let you put on extra stuff to make sure the perch just cannot resist them. So, make the most out of these when you are out fishing the next time.
Product Specs
Type of Lure:
Jigs
Materials:
Lead
Lure Size:
1/20 to 11/32 oz and 0.6 to 1.1"
Color(s):
Variety
Hook Size:
#10, #14
Honorable Mention:
Acme Hyper-Glide Minnow
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers have liked these lures for the most part as they have a smooth construction. They liked its lifelike movements and sleek design the most. Buyers liked the pricing policy as well, and they were glad they made the purchase.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The acme Hyper-Glide Minnow lures distinguish themselves to us with their lifelike movements. The gills open and close to create a nice current and a loud noise to attract the perch. They make sure that your fishing line does not come up empty when you are using them in a perch-swarmed area.
Who Will Use This Most
These lures are best for those who take ice fishing very seriously. They will love the realistic design and working. These lures are easy to pack and carry around as well. So, they will be a nice addition to your ice fishing gear.
Bottom Line
To conclude, this is an amazing lure with an incredible gliding movement. It works effectively on its own, but if you know some extra fishing tricks, there is just no stopping you from a healthy perch catch.
Product Specs
Type of Lure:
Jigs
Materials:
Plastic
Lure Size:
1/10, 1/19, 7/20 oz and 1.5", 2", 2.5"
Color(s):
Blue Silver, Clown, Fire Tiger, Glow Perch, Green Hornet Glow, Lake Chub, Perch, Pink Tiger Glow, Purple Rain, Silver, Wally World, Blue Silver
Hook Size:
#14, #10
Are All Ice Fishing Lures for Perch The Same?
Ice fishing for perch is quite interesting and fun. These fish are always on the move and spawn at various depths. For this reason, all lures are not the same for catching perch, as the depth at which you are fishing varies from one situation to another. Some of the many types of lures are heavy-sinkers, darters, while others vary in terms of size.
There are heavy sinkers used to catch perch in deep waters. However, if you want to fish in shallow waters, you can go for lighter-weighted lures that imitate a gill-like action and glide across the surface of the water.
Heavy-sinkers are mostly made of lead material that provides them increased weight for sinking. These come in vibrant colors with glow-in-the-dark features to attract the fish in the deep waters.
Lures for perch also vary in terms of sizes. These are measured in centimeters, but the most common types of lure size for perch are eight centimeters.
Some other types of lures include darters. They are fast, attractive, and jerk a lot, unlike heavy-sinkers. Although, they do attract a large number of perch in the water due to their flashy appearance that appeals to the perch. Therefore, the type of lures you use for catching perch depends on the depth of water you are fishing in, as the key differences lie in their movement and weight.
Types of Perch Ice Fishing Lures
Perch is a very interesting fish and is easy to catch if you have the right lure. However, these fish are quite moody, which is why there are a lot of lure types that you can use for them.
You can use one of the following types of lures to attract perch in ice water.
Fast-sinking Horizontal Jigs
One of the most important lures that you must have while ice fishing is a fast-sinking, horizontal minnow. These lures make an arc while gliding, imitating the movement of an injured fish. This looks natural and vulnerable and irresistible to the perch, making minnows a great choice for catching a large number of perch.
Fishing Darters
These lures move in a series of quick and short snaps, giving breaks for the perch to bite. Fishing darters are bright, flashy, and produce a lot of vibrations that entice the perch and make them bite quickly.
Jigging Spoons
Jigging spoons prove to be very handy while ice fishing for perch. The life-like profiles, flashy appearances, and fast spinning and swirling motion attract the fish. Use a spoon between the sizes of about one to three.
Ice Fishing For Perch Tips and Techniques
Perch is an easy catch when they are attracted to the right lure. However, you must have some intelligent tricks under your sleeve to quickly entice the fish and catch them. Here are a few tips that can come in handy during ice fishing for perch:
Feed the Fish
To attract the perch from over large distances, you can cut down some live minnows and worms and spread them over the water. The scent of the prey will quickly attract the fish. Perch moves a lot, so this trick comes in handy when you want the fish to gather right underneath your feet.
Create a Ruckus
Perch are naturally attracted to debris and loud, disturbing noises. One way to attract them is to create some disturbance in the water. You can do this by pounding on the ground with some force.
Use Different Baits
It is always better to use multiple lines with different combinations of lures to attract perch.
These fish species are moody biters, which is why it is better to prepare more than one bait for them.
Jigging different baits at the same time keeps the fish interested.
How to Ice Fish for Perch
Catching perch is fun and not very difficult if you know how to do it properly. The following steps can guide you on what to do:
Map Out the Ideal Location
The first step in ice fishing for perch is to find the ideal location. These fish are mostly found in deep waters near the bottom, feeding on small prey or in the shallower areas for spawning purposes. You can also locate a great number of perch near the weedy areas. Use fish finders to find perch.
Drill More Than One Hole on the Ice
After finding the location, it is now time to drill holes on the ice surface. This species is always on the move. This means that drilling a single hole on the ice surface is not enough to catch a large number of perch. Try drilling more holes on the ice along different water depths to catch the maximum number of perch.
Throw the Line Into the Hole
A perch's bites are quite soft, and most anglers cannot feel them with ordinary rods. For this reason, many professionals use extra sensitive rods to fish perch. Throw the line into the hole and let the lure sink to the bottom. Jig the lure and wait for the fish to bite.
Reel Back the Line When You Notice a Bite or Tug on the Line
Once you feel the perch bite your lure, carefully reel the rod back in.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying?
Lures are an important factor in determining success, so you have to buy them carefully. This is why we have listed some of the important factors to keep in mind while making a purchase.
Size
The size of the lures is one of the most important factors, as it is the first thing that makes a lure observable to perch. The size has to be moderate as the perch will not be able to hold a very large lure. Conversely, if it is too small, it will just slip from the perch’s mouth.
Material
The material of the lures matters as well when it comes to perch fishing. The material has to be safe in case it comes off and stays in the water.
This could harm other species and litter the water body, which may be harmful in the long run.
Gliding Ability
The gliding ability of the lures is quite significant as it helps the lure in moving inside water. If it does not glide freely, it will not be able to stimulate or attract the perch towards it.
Hence, you need a lure that has an effective gliding movement.
Bassdash Ice Fishing Lure
How to Jig For Perch
Jigging for perch is not very hard. You just need to pull the attention of the fish towards yourself. The following steps will tell you exactly how to jig for a perch.
Drop the Bait at the Bottom
The first step is to drop the line and let the bait sink to the water body's bottom. Slightly pound the bottom surface with your bait.
Create a Disturbance
Jig rapidly by quickly picking and dropping the tip of your rod. This repeated action creates a disturbance at the bottom that alerts the perch of the possibility of prey and attracts them towards that area.
Pick Your Way Up
Fish the bait above the ruckus by steadily working your way up from the bottom at a gradual pace. Try to separate the perch from the school of fish. Once a perch is separated, it tries to bite the bait almost immediately.
To get a better idea of how to catch and jig for perch, make sure to refer to the video mentioned below.
Conclusion
Summing it all up, perch ice fishing is quite rewarding if you have the right lures. Since you will be fishing in ice-cold water, they should be able to withstand the hard conditions. This is why you have to be extra careful when choosing the lures. So, choose the best ones from our list and have fun fishing.
People Also Ask
Perch ice fishing is definitely thrilling, but to get the most out of it, one has to go fully prepared. This is why people keep asking many questions regarding the activity because they want to be well prepared. Considering this, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions here for you.
What Hook Size For Perch?
Perch are small fish. This is why it is better to use a smaller hook within a range of sizes between four and eight. It is easier to catch and release perch using these hooks with a wide gap and a medium gauge wire.
What is the Best Bait For Perch Ice Fishing?
If you want to attract a perch while ice fishing, we suggest using a small bait with pretty attractive colors. Using live bait such as worms and maggots produces the best results.
What Color Lures Are Best For Perch?
Perch are usually attracted to brightly colored prey with attractive patterns and flashy, sparkling appearance. Most anglers use bright orange, green, and yellow lures with a metallic luster to attract perch and increase the chances of getting a good catch. These colors blend with the surroundings and are similar to the fish that perch usually feed upon.
Do I Need a Special Lure For Perch?
Setting up a lure for catching perch requires a special bait. Perch love to feed on worms. You can use a smaller hook or a small jig head with a live minnow, particularly worms, to catch perch. You can also use surface lures.
How Do You Catch Big Perch When Ice Fishing?
To catch big perch during ice fishing, the lift and drop technique comes in handy. You just need to lower the fishing line and jiggle it a bit. Then lift the rod slowly halfway through water and then drop it back. It attracts bigger fish, and you can easily catch more of them by using this simple technique.
Do Perch Spawn Under Ice?
Perch spawn once a year in early spring. There is no ice in most lakes at that time of the year. So, it is hard to say that they spawn under the ice. The only favorable time for spawning is early spring, where the weather is still cold but not too cold.
What is the Best Time to Catch Perch?
The best time to catch perch varies with differing seasons. During early summer, you should go perch fishing in the early morning or early evening. Meanwhile, in the late summer, late afternoon and evening are ideal for perch fishing. Similarly, during winter, late afternoon is best for this form of fishing.
How Deep Do Perch Go in the Winter?
Perch tend to go quite deep during winter, especially when the plants die. They are usually 8 to 12 feet underwater. But when the plants start dying, they go deeper, and you can find them at 19 to 36 feet.
Share to Pinterest
