If you’re planning an ice fishing trip for this winter, then chances are that you’ll need a new walleye ice fishing rod. However, when it comes to ice fishing, there’s no single best ice fishing rod that you can add to your arsenal.
It’s better to have several different ones according to the lures or bait you plan to use, the environmental conditions you’re going to be fishing in, and the type of fish you want to catch.
Thus, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best walleye ice fishing rods available today that will surely help you in every scenario you might face this season!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Walleye Ice Fishing Rods
- OUR TOP PICK: Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2
- RUNNER-UP: St. Croix Mojo Series
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Tailored Tackle Ice Fishing Rod Reel Combo
- EDITOR'S PICK: 13 Fishing Widow Maker
Comparison of the Best Walleye Ice Fishing Rods
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What Size of Ice Fishing Rod Do I Need for Walleye?
The size of an ice fishing rod usually depends on where and how you plan on fishing. Generally, a longer rod will cast farther and more accurately compared to a shorter rod. While length is an important factor when casting spinners or crankbaits, ice fishing doesn’t require a rod that’s specially designed for casting. Thus, you can tailor your rod to whether you’re fishing indoors or outdoors.
If you’re fishing inside a shack or shelter, then your rod length will be greatly limited. Since there’s less space around the hole, a shorter rod will be more suitable. Thus, it’s better to choose a rod that measures around 24 to 32 inches in length.
On the other hand, if you’re planning on leaving the comfort of shelter and braving the harsh elements, then the length of the rod will be a lot less limited. Any unit that measures up to around 38 inches will get the job done. Choosing a model longer than that will increase the risk of being unable to control the fish once hooked.
What Should I Look For When Buying an Ice Fishing Rod?
The best walleye ice fishing rod should be sensitive enough to feel everything going on below, yet be designed with enough backbone to pull a strong walleye that doesn’t want to surface. To help you choose the right ice rod, here are some important factors you should consider before finalizing your purchase:
Rod Guides
Usually overlooked by anglers, the quality and number of rod guides or eyes directly affect rod performance. The higher the number of guides, the more uniform the rod will bend. This will consequently improve the unit’s shock absorption and performance. It’s advisable to choose a rod with at least four guides, but try to purchase one with five or six guides. Make sure that guides become smaller towards the tip.
Fishing Rod Handles
There are different types of handle materials. Plastic and foam handles are the least sensitive. Foam handles also tend to hold water, which is a major disadvantage when fishing in extremely cold temperatures. Quality rods usually feature cork handles as they warm easily and conduct vibrations from the blank. Some handles are also designed with high-tech graphite for ultimate sensitivity.
It’s advisable to choose a rod with a blank that extends through the handle. If a blank stops halfway, then it won’t transmit vibrations as effectively, resulting in a less sensitive rod.
Rod Action
Most fishing rods available today have fast action. Slow action rods bend quickly and are short in size. The straighter and longer a unit is, the faster the action. Fast action rods also come with a rigid shaft and a flexible tip, making them easy to use and suitable for ice fishing.
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.
- Materials: The materials the rod is made of.
- Handle: The material and/or type of handle on the rod.
- Available Length(s): The length(s) this rod is available in.
- Available Power(s): Power refers to how much force it takes to bend the rod. These fall under the designations of ultra light/med-light/light/medium/med-heavy/heavy/etc.
- Available Action(s): The actions the rod is available in. This refers to where the rod flexes and includes slow/moderate/moderately-fast/fast/extra fast/ etc.
Review of the Best Walleye Ice Fishing Rods
With so many products available today, selecting the right ice fishing rod can be a bit confusing. To help you choose a unit that best suits your needs, the following are detailed reviews of some of the best walleye ice fishing rods:
Best Overall:
Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Almost everyone loved the price of this unit and said that it offered excellent value for money. Buyers stated that it was durable, smooth, and worked incredibly well. They also found it to be sensitive enough to feel softer perch bites. While one user stated that they were able to catch fish over 5 pounds, some reported receiving defective items.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit stands out to us because of its durability, longevity, and its incredibly affordable price. The rod is virtually indestructible and can withstand several years of abuse. If somehow, you do break or wear through it, it’s so well-priced that you can easily purchase another one. Moreover, the unit is designed with a reel that’s also capable of withstanding a beating.
Who Will Use This Most
With a size 20 spinning reel, this model is suitable for all ice applications. An EVA foam handle further enables you to stay on the ice for an extended period of time. This unit can be used to catch lake trout, crappies, bass, walleye, gills, perch, and other panfish.
Bottom Line
All in all, this model undoubtedly deserves the top position on our list. Thanks to its ported aluminum spool, it’s incredibly lightweight and durable. Moreover, a ball bearing and size 20 spinning reel ensure that catching walleye is nothing but fun. However, quality control could be improved.
Product Specs
Materials:
Graphite/fiberglass hybrid blank, Stainless steel hood
Handle:
Full Grip EVA
Available Lengths:
26 in, 28 in, 30 in
Available Power(s):
Light / Medium / Medium Heavy
Available Action(s):
Fast
Best for the Money:
Tailored Tackle Ice Fishing Rod Reel Combo
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The majority of the buyers were extremely pleased with this unit’s performance and were surprised by the smoothness of the reel. They found the rod to be fast and nice on the tip, with users stating that its backbone and sensitivity allowed them to switch between walleye and panfish easily. However, some customers were disappointed with the reel and the drag system.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This medium-light power unit measures 28” in length. Designed with a 5:2:1 gear ratio, five ball bearings, and a size 20 fishing reel, the countless features offered by this unit are what make it stand apart from its competition. Some of these cool features include an ergonomic grip, a cork handle, and a carbon fiber rod blank.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is specially manufactured for walleye and does an incredible job of catching them. Besides walleye, the versatile multi-species design of this unit can also be used for trout, sunfish, bluegill, perch, crappie, and panfish. Its 28” length further enables users to fish both in a hole hop outside or inside a shelter.
Bottom Line
Sporting a medium-light power rating combined with a fast action rod rating, this model ensures optimal bite sensitivity across various fish species of different sizes. It’s further designed with a 5 ball-bearing system and a premium size 20 fishing reel for a smooth feel in extremely cold temperatures.
Product Specs
Materials:
Carbon Fiber rod blank, Stainless steel
Handle:
Cork
Available Lengths:
28 in
Available Power(s):
Medium Light
Available Action(s):
Fast
Editor's Pick:
13 Fishing Widow Maker
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Almost everyone who purchased this unit loved its performance and the light action it provided. Users stated that it was extremely sensitive and were impressed with its outstanding quality. However, one customer reported that the product they received was different from the one showed in the photo description.
Why it Stands Out to Us
A serious fishing rod, this model is designed with only high-quality components. It’s extremely durable and reliable and can withstand a real beating. The blanks are manufactured with 30-ton graphite, resulting in a unit that’s not only incredibly light but also perfectly balanced. Furthermore, the double diamond coated line guides ensure that the line goes through them with minimal damage.
Who Will Use This Most
If you’re serious about ice fishing and want something better than the budget rods, then this unit should be your next option. From heavier actions to incredibly light tips, it’s ideal for a wide range of fish, including walleye, big perch, and panfish.
Bottom Line
With high-level accuracy and a perfectly balanced design, this model is nothing less than amazing. The graphite blank has incredible action. The cork handle ensures ease of use, while the double diamond guides allow for accurate and precise application.
Product Specs
Materials:
Graphite and Carbon fiber
Handle:
Cork
Available Lengths:
24 in, 25 in, 26 in, 27 in, 28 in, 37 in, 38 in, 42 in
Available Power(s):
Ultralight / Light / Medium Light / Medium
4. St. Croix Mojo Series
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers were extremely satisfied with their purchase and loved the handle design and its overall look. They stated that the eyelets didn’t ice much and were easy to clear if they did. While users stated that it held up well against big fish, some found it to be a bit too stiff. Some customers also reported that the eyelets were noticeably off-center.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Featuring one of the most ingenious and innovative split grip designs available today, this unit is extremely lightweight and a true featherweight, but is still able to handle large lake trout and walleye without feeling like it’s going to break under pressure. Along with feeling lighter, it’s exposed design also enables you to feel exactly what’s going on down below.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is suitable for a wide range of fishing techniques and styles. So, if you’re planning on catching bigger fish like pike, lake trout, panfish, whitefish, walleye, and trout, then this model is the one for you. It’s sensitive enough to identify the lightest nibbles, but has enough backbone and lifting strength for pulling the bigger fish from the bottom.
Bottom Line
Designed with a precision-taper carbon blank and a premium split-grip cork, this unit certainly deserves a place on our list of top picks. The twist-lock prevents the reel from loosening, while the custom reel seat makes it perfect for all fishing techniques. However, the position of the eyelets could be improved.
Product Specs
Materials:
Carbon dust blank, Stainless steel
Handle:
Split Grip EVA
Available Lengths:
24 in, 28 in, 32 in, 34 in, 36 in
Available Power(s):
Ultralight / Light / Medium / Medium Light / Medium Heavy
Available Action(s):
Medium
Honorable Mention:
Frabill Fin-S Pro Ice Fishing Rod and Reel
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most customers were extremely happy with their purchase and said that it was well worth the money. Users stated that it had a sensitive tip and a great backbone, and were impressed by the balance of the reel on the rod. However, buyers were disappointed with the lack of a warranty, and some reported that their rod broke after a few uses.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This model primarily stands out to us because of its enhanced sensitivity. Designed with single foot stainless steel guides and a compact carbon fiber plank, it’s perfect for ice fishing. It further features a 3+1 ball-bearing reel that’s incredibly smooth and easy to drag. Lastly, the combination of an innovative reel seat and a cork grip, it truly makes fishing a pleasure.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is one of the best models for ice fishing available today. While it's designed for walleye fishing, it can be used for perch fishing as well.
Bottom Line
Manufactured with countless amazing features, this model is undoubtedly one of the best walleye ice fishing rods available today. It's designed with a blank through the handle, a reel seat with a cork grip, solid carbon blank for enhanced sensitivity, and single foot stainless steel ice guides.
Product Specs
Materials:
Carbon Fiber blank, Stainless steel guides
Handle:
Cork
Available Lengths:
24 in, 26 in, 30 in, 36 in
Available Power(s):
Ultralight / Light / Medium / Heavy
Best Walleye Jigging Rod For Ice Fishing:
Ugly Stik Tiger Elite
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were appreciable of this fishing rod as it can carry different kinds of fish, including walleye. It is ideal for deep jigging and quick retrieval, withstanding a lot of pressure. The graphite added in the construction contributes to the user-friendliness of this rod without compromising strength and durability.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The exclusive features in this fishing rod are bound to satisfy your demands when it comes to walleye ice fishing. It is specifically designed for walleye jigs so that you can capture the bait with efficient techniques in deep bottoms.
Ugly Tech construction promises good-quality stainless steel rods with feasible length to prevent tiring your arms. Another great feature to reduce arm fatigue is its lightweight framework, which makes it easier for carrying.
You’ll be delighted to see how Ugly Stik manufacturers have put in a lot of thought towards ease of use; hence, the contoured foregrips padded with EVA foam offer a comfortable grip.
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, this fishing line definitely gives great balance and top performance. It prioritizes the user’s comfort, which is why the product is so adaptable for everyday use in winters. The better pulling power, paired up with enhanced rod sensitivity, is guaranteed to make your fishing experience much smoother and enjoyable.
Product Specs
Materials:
Stainless steel, graphite, carbon fiber
Handle:
EVA / Rubber Shrink Tube
Available Lengths:
5.8ft / 6.3 ft
Available Power(s):
Heavy / Extra Heavy
Walleye Ice Fishing Tips
Fishing is always a delight, particularly since you get to treat yourself to delicious food afterward. Walleye is a popular favorite among fishermen because its taste is surely a notch above the rest.
However, nothing good ever comes without effort, and the walleye can be one of the most challenging fish to catch. But isn’t that the fun part?
Here’s a brief overview of some basic walleye ice fishing tips to help you have a great catch:
Locating the Fish
Being an inhabitant of warm water, walleye are usually found a few feet above rocks, mud piles, and the bottom surface. They swim from deeper to shallower parts, particularly during their feeding hours. Deciding the location is crucial, and one can recognize them from the typical vertical movements in a predictable pattern.
Expert fishermen develop an intuition to follow the walleye patterns in shallow water as they chase food. They are often triggered by light and feed most actively a few hours before dusk or dawn.
Keeping this in mind, starting out before sunrise and finishing up till dusk is a high time to detect and trap these fish. Keep an open eye as they can be seen around weed beds, rock gravel, and muddy bottoms in search of smaller fish.
Standout Bait Options
After you’ve analyzed your location, you need to perfect your bait to eliminate any chances of losing the walleye. You need to opt for something that will instantly grab the attention and thrill the fish to chase your bait.
A few good options are silver spoons and the brightly colored Rapala jigging rap. Silver baits reflect light in shallow water and mirror sudden, flashy movements that turn a lot of walleye heads. Moreover, brightly colored baits have enhanced visibility in stained water, and the Rapala jigging rap is famous for mimicking realistic movements to lure in walleye within no time at all.
Other kinds of fish replicas and soft baits will also get the job done if you’ve mastered the jigging movement.
Pound the Ground
An old trick to call in walleye is to pound the bottom surface of the water body a few times with your bait and slowly lift it up. This disrupts the muddy ground to give off the effect that another fish has just passed by. Also, the vibrations set in the water are sharply detected by walleye, and they’ll end up grabbing onto the bait smoothly.
Jig as Hard as You Can
We agree that mastering the jigging movement requires practice, but once you get hold of this trick, you’ll never find walleye ice fishing hard. The art of jigging is to bob your fishing rod up and down in an attempt to create ripples and entice bites.
We suggest starting off slowly with gentle jigs and gradually moving on to aggressive patterns. Try to keep the movements as natural and repetitive as possible with little time between each jig so that the walleye can spot the bait.
Luring the Fish
Once you’ve captured the attention of the fish, it’s all a game of luring them onto the bait. This can be done by raising the bait a few times, alternating it with jigs. As you raise the bait higher and higher from deep to shallow water, the fish will be enthralled to chase it.
Make sure to keep the walleye attracted to your bait by raising it slightly higher each time. It is highly probable that a fish will fly up and bite your lure. A small pro-tip is to reel back the bait to raise it instead of jerking the fishing rod with your arm movements. This ensures a more subtle and candid effect for the walleye.
Perks of Getting a New Rod for Ice Fishing Walleye
As a fisherman, you might be pretty attached to your old fishing rod, but we strongly recommend replacing it with a new one. This calls for buying a fishing rod that is specifically designed for walleye. Once you get your hands on a new rod, you’ll observe a massive improvement in the fishing style and ease of use.
Still not convinced? Read on to familiarize yourself with some major pros of purchasing a brand-new fishing rod.
Quality Matters
There’s nothing more annoying than ending up with a broken fishing rod on slight bending. Durability and construction materials are key determinants that can be sensed through the feel of the rod. A fishing rod crafted with supreme materials is bound to last longer and bears strong pulling power for retrieving large fish as well.
Ease of Use
Fishing is all about patience. It is a time-consuming task, and anglers often end up complaining about arm fatigue and sore muscles from holding on to the rod for long periods. In such instances, opting for a new rod with an ergonomic design is going to step up your fishing game.
Many companies put a lot of thought into the designing of the rod. Carbon fiber handles boast sensitivity, whereas EVA foam hand grips give way to cushioning and comfort. Moreover, contoured pistol grips are ideal for precision and perfecting those jigging movements.
Favorable for Walleye Fishing
High sensitivity, ultra-lightweight, and faster action are the basic requirements in a fishing rod for walleye fishing. It can be a lot easier to decide on a product if you keep these factors in mind. Fast action rods tend to flex near the tips, which augments sensitivity for mastering finesse in jigging movements. Choosing the right rod can make all the difference in walleye ice fishing.
Types of Walleye Ice Fishing Rods
Being a finicky catch, walleye can be fished in a variety of different ways. You can opt for any of these methods based on your preference and fishing style because each of these methods requires different fishing rods. Walleye ice fishing rods can be categorized as jigging, spinning, rigging, and trolling rods. Let’s have a look at each of these.
Jigging Rods
Being a quick and sensitive method, jigging requires the fishing rod to be short in length with extra-fast action. Using carbon fiber or graphite rod will transmit movements precisely and quickly. Fiberglass is a big no in this regard because it slows down the jigging patterns. Walleye are largely drawn towards a rapidly moving bait, so sensitivity and flexibility on the rod tip cannot be ignored for fast action.
Spinning Rods
Versatile rods with light to medium action make the ideal choice for spinning rods. They can store more power due to the slight bend and are pretty similar to jigging rods. Composite used in the construction is a favorable option, but you’ll want to choose something slightly more sensitive, so we recommend going with graphite.
Rigging Rods
Since you’re fishing for walleye, sensitivity cannot be ignored, even in rigging rods; hence graphite and carbon fiber make an ideal choice. The length will be slightly longer than jigging rods to provide leverage and transmit the movements in short response time.
Talking about the rod action, it is best to stick with medium to fast action to transmit the feel better over large hooks. While rigging, it’s better to use soft tips to instantly detect the fish with bobbing movements.
Trolling Rods
Unlike jigging and rigging, trolling rods do not depend on the sensitivity of the tip. These are heavier setups, inclined more towards medium to light action and medium-heavy power. You’ll want to keep a suitable distance from the boat, and longer rods have more access to deep water where walleye often reside.
Some favorable rod requirements that will help with trolling are long, fiberglass blanks, comfortable handles, and a sturdy rod that won’t snap under pressure.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
A jigging 28-inch medium-action rod is a standard unit for most anglers. But the rods available on the market today are so sophisticated that choosing the right one can be an extremely technical and difficult task. To ensure you don’t end up wasting your money, here are some things you should keep in mind while shopping for a walleye rod:
Type of Rod
Walleye can be both an aggressive and a finesse fish. Make sure the rod is soft enough so you’re able to feel the jig swim but strong enough to lift the catch easily. Extremely stiff rods boast great strength but have reduced sensitivity. Similarly, soft action units have great sensitivity but lack strength. Medium-heavy to medium action rods work best because they have an incredible combination of power and sensitivity.
Place Where You’ll be Fishing
Walleye are usually found a couple of feet from the bottom. They favor drop-offs and edges as much as they like bars, rock piles, and points. If you’re planning on fishing around depth and structure, then its advisable to choose a rod with backbone. On the other hand, a rod with sensitivity is more suitable for shallower water.
Fishing Outside or Inside a Shanty
If you’re fishing inside, then it’s better to choose a unit that measures 24-28 inches in length. However, if you’re fishing outside, then a longer rod measuring 30-36 inches in length is advisable.
Conclusion
The best rod is one that allows you to fish comfortably and easily without bumping into everyone and everything around you. All the aforementioned products have a sensitive tip but are designed with enough backbone to help anglers catch a walleye. So, make sure you go through all the reviews to find the rod that best suits your needs!
People Also Ask
Choosing the right walleye ice fishing rod is no easy task. To help clear away any confusion you might have and ensure you make the right decision; the following are some of the most frequently asked questions:
What Action Rod for Ice Fishing Walleye?
The rod's action can range from extra-fast to slow, based on its flexibility to bend and revert back into a straight line. If you’re ice fishing for walleye, we strongly suggest using a fast action rod for jigging, which ensures a sensitive and flexible tip to rapidly transmit sudden movements. However, if trolling is your comfort zone, you can get done with a medium to light action rod as well.
What is the Best Ice Fishing Bait for Walleye?
The right bait, paired up with finesse movements, is optimal for fishing. Silver spoons and Rapala jigging raps are excellent baits that never fail to trap a walleye. Clear water bodies highlight the flashy movements of silver spoons to mimic minnows, whereas stained water demands striking colors in the bait. In this case, the Rapala jigging rap hovers and bounces around just like a real fish to make walleye crazy. Several people also prefer using live bait like a minnow head, so it’s all about your preference.
Where to Find Walleye Ice Fishing?
Walleyes can be found in shallow water near shorelines and pointy rock gravels in early winters. However, as the ice freezes over, they transition to deep water columns, moving out to mid-water humps. Gravel bars, muddy bottoms, and weed edges are likely hiding places for walleye. As far as depth is concerned, 10-12 feet is good enough, but you can capture walleye as deep as 20 feet as well.
What is the Best Line for Ice Fishing Walleye?
Low stretch and thin diameter make the best line for fishing. It is because a less stretchable line enhances sensitivity for jigging and keeps the hook attached. Meanwhile, you’ll want to focus more on opting for a thinner line to maintain the vertical position and eliminating resistance in the water. Consequently, the Berkeley Fire Line and the Berkley Trilene top the list.
What is a Dead Stick When Ice Fishing?
Dead sticking is an interesting and tricky way to trap walleye by presenting live bait in a hole next to the jigging. There is no particular specification on the type of line used for dead sticking; however, minnow heads are a common choice for bait. The active jigging movements will instigate the walleye, while dead sticking keeps the bait bobbing a few feet away. Combining both methods, you’ll see how quickly the walleye bites onto the live bait.
Can You Hot Box Walleye When Ice Fishing?
As winter dawns upon and the lakes freeze over, fishermen greatly anticipate catching walleye in the deeper water layers.
Once you’ve drilled holes into the ice, hotboxes will prevent the holes from freezing over in temperatures as low as 20° Celsius. It is a game-changer for ice fishing walleye by multiplying catch rate and preventing ice holes from freezing.
What is the Best Ice Fishing Walleye Setup?
If you’re taking ice fishing too seriously, you’ll definitely want to know the best setup. Ideally, a 6’6’’ to 7’ fast-action spinning rod with medium power is a commendable setup. Nonetheless, if jigging is your comfort zone, then a 6’ medium power rod with extra fast action will give you an upper hand to master precise and sensitive strokes.
The baits and lures also play a key role in doubling the catch rate. Brightly colored bait, silver spoons, or live bait like minnow heads are of great interest to walleye. If the fish are less active, try dead sticking along with aggressive jigging. This two-pole approach smoothly tackles finicky fish.
How Long Are Ice Fishing Rods?
Ice fishing rods are usually measured from butt to tip, and the majority of them measure between six to eight feet. Anything longer is unsuitable for ice fishing, and anything shorter should be used for small panfish. Rods measuring four feet are ideal for children because they’re safer and make every fish a battle.
How Do You Ice Fish for Walleye?
There are four types of lures that work best on walleyes: jigging rapalas, jigs, lipless crankbaits, and spoons. Furthermore, you can locate the fish with combo units featuring Depth Finders and GPS. These tracking systems can help anglers map out angling locations and track outings, including barometric readings, time of depth, and water conditions.
How Deep Will Walleye Go?
Walleye usually swim in deep water and can be found at depths ranging from 15 to more than 30-feet. The fish either stay near the bottom in deep water or swim higher up to feed on baitfish. During winter, walleye can be found at depths of 50 feet.
