Fishing Michigan

The other day when talking about walleye baits for the ice season I showed some pictures of jigs, swim baits, and spoons.  Took some pictures yesterday and got some closeups of the baits to give everyone a better idea of what baits I use so folks can easily pick some up for the upcoming season.

First off with the Jigs,  there are some designed, or even marketed specifically for the ice season.  This doesnt mean you have to scrap many of the jigs that you use in open water.  Northland makes a good selection of baits from both seasons that are effective through the ice ( Airplane, Whistler, Fire Eye Minnow, Fire Ball Jig w/sting’r).  Lindy makes the gold Flyer in the top right corner, while the bottom two jigs are Fiska’s.

Next up are the swim baits. There are many good brands out there.   Northland has the new Airplane Jig;  there are Jigging Rapala’s and Jigging Shads from Rapala, Nils Master Jiggers and Shads and Salmo Chubby Darters.   The first picture is of my smaller baits and the 2nd is of the ones I take with me all the time on Lake Erie or the other Great Lakes.

Spoons are probably my favorite ice bait for walleye.   You have Northland Forage Minnows and Buck-Shot Rattle Spoons,  Slender Spoons, Mepps Syclops, Little Cleo’s and a large selection from the Bay de Noc Lure Company (founded in the UP) .   Just because a spoon is used for casting, like the Cleo, don’t think it can be used under the ice effectively.  They are a very productive bait for iceing walleye.