Top 9 Ice Baits for Lake Erie Walleye
By: FishUSA Staff
December 16, 2025
When winter locks up Lake Erie and the crowds of trollers disappear, the diehards know the fun is just getting started. This lake is home to an incredible walleye population, and the anglers who dial in the right ice baits for Lake Erie walleye can enjoy some of the best action of the year. But with so many spoons, jigging baits, and blade baits on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
When winter locks up Lake Erie and the crowds of trollers disappear, the diehards know the fun is just getting started. This lake is home to an incredible walleye population, and the anglers who dial in the right ice baits for Lake Erie walleye can enjoy some of the best action of the year. But with so many spoons, jigging baits, and blade baits on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
This guide breaks down the top 9 ice baits for Lake Erie walleye—lures that have earned a permanent place in hardwater boxes all around the Big Lake. You’ll learn when to reach for each one, how to work it on Erie’s deep basins and structure, and what colors and sizes tend to shine in real-world conditions.
Table of Contents
Why Lure Choice Matters on Lake Erie Ice
Lake Erie is big, deep, and often windy, with plenty of current and changing water clarity. Those factors make bait selection more critical than on a small inland lake. The best walleye ice lures for Erie need to:
- Get down quickly in 20–40+ feet of water.
- Stay visible in everything from gin-clear to dirty, wind-stirred water.
- Match the size and flash of emerald shiners, smelt, and small shad.
- Trigger both aggressive and neutral “lookers” you see on electronics.
The ten baits below accomplish that in slightly different ways, which is why they work so well as a system: spoons for flash, jigging baits for big profiles and reaction strikes, and blades for vibration and noise when the water’s stained.
How to Use This Top 9 List
You don’t need all ten to succeed, but having a mix of spoons, jigging baits, and blade baits will help you adjust quickly to changing fish mood and conditions. A smart strategy is to:
- Pick at least one flutter spoon and one heavier “control” spoon.
- Add a couple of jigging baits for aggressive fish and suspended marks.
- Carry at least one or two blade baits and lipless rattle baits for dirty water.
Use your electronics (or the feel of the bites) to decide when to switch from search mode to finesse mode. The baits below are listed roughly in the order many experienced Erie anglers rely on them, but all ten have a place in your lineup.
The Top 9 Ice Baits for Lake Erie Walleye
1. Bay de Noc Swedish Pimple
The Bay de Noc Swedish Pimple is about as close to a “must-have” as it gets for Lake Erie walleye. It’s a classic spoon that drops quickly, shows up clearly on sonar, and has enough built-in wiggle to call fish in without spinning out of control.
When it shines on Erie: The Swedish Pimple is a workhorse in mid-depth to deep water, especially when fish are hugging bottom on structure or basin edges. Its compact, weighted profile cuts through current and wind-driven swing, letting you stay on top of marks.
How to fish it:
- Start with a medium lift (12–18 inches) and let it fall on a semi-tight line.
- Pause for a few seconds so it can flutter and settle; many strikes come right on the stall.
- Tip it with a minnow head or whole emerald shiner when you want extra scent.
Carry a few sizes to cover different depths, and keep glow, silver, and gold patterns ready for changing light and water clarity.
2. Silver Streak Rattle Streak Spoon
The Silver Streak Rattle Streak adds sound to the spoon game. It’s a compact spoon with an internal rattle that kicks out a sharp, high-pitched click as you jig it, which can be deadly in stained water or low visibility conditions.
Why it’s in the top 10: Lake Erie often gets churned up by wind, and visibility can drop fast. The Rattle Streak’s combination of flash and noise helps walleyes zero in on it from a distance, making it a great “search spoon” when you’re hopping holes over a big flat or basin.
Erie-specific tips:
- Use brighter UV and glow patterns when the water is dirty or you’re fishing at night.
- Work it more aggressively at first to call fish in, then tone it down to let followers commit.
- Pair it with a short fluorocarbon leader to keep the bait’s action crisp.
3. Rapala Jigging Rap
The Rapala Jigging Rap is a legend for a reason. Its gliding, darting path when you snap it off bottom is tailor-made for triggering reaction bites from neutral walleye.
Where it fits: Think of the Jigging Rap as your “closer” when fish show up on the screen but won’t commit to spoons. Its horizontal profile and wide, erratic swing mimic a wounded baitfish in a way that’s tough for Lake Erie ‘eyes to ignore.
How to fish the Jigging Rap on Erie:
- Snap it 1–3 feet up and let it glide out, then watch your line closely as it swings back.
- Mix in shorter, subtler hops when fish seem curious but hesitant.
- Downsize one step when the bite is tough, especially after a front.
Natural baitfish patterns and glow-backed colors are staples on Erie, but don’t be afraid to try chartreuse or clown-style patterns in dirtier water.
4. Reef Runner Cicada
The Reef Runner Cicada brings a blade-bait profile to the ice fishing world. Many anglers think of it as an open-water lure, but it’s sneaky-good under the ice when you need vibration and flash to wake up negative fish.
When to reach for it: The Cicada can excel when walleyes are scattered and roaming, or when they’re feeding heavily on shiners and smelt. It’s also a smart option when the fish seem to ignore spoons but react to more pronounced vibration.
Presentation tips:
- Lift it with short, sharp pops to get the blade buzzing, then let it fall on a semi-slack line.
- Keep the cadence tight when fishing directly on top of marked fish.
- Use a slightly heavier size to maintain feel in current or wind-induced drift.
If you tip it with bait, keep it minimal—a small minnow head or partial tail—so you don’t kill the blade’s action.
5. Custom Jigs & Spins Slender Spoon
The Custom Jigs & Spins Slender Spoon is a classic flutter spoon: thin, lightweight, and designed to fall slowly with a wide, flashy wobble. On Lake Erie, that slow fall is money when walleyes are picky or riding higher in the water column.
Why Erie walleyes like it: When fish are suspended and just tracking your bait, the Slender Spoon’s long hang and gentle flash give them more time to decide. It’s a terrific choice on calm high-pressure days or when you’re fishing in areas with little current.
How to work it:
- Use smaller sizes when fish are tight-lipped or feeding on small shiners.
- Give it soft, 6–12 inch lifts and plenty of pause to let it flutter.
- Watch your line—many bites come as the spoon slowly pendulums back to center.
Thin, fluttery spoons pair nicely with lighter leaders; you don’t want stiff line killing that delicate, wandering fall.
6. Acme Little Cleo
The Acme Little Cleo started life as a casting spoon, but its compact shape and heavy body make it equally effective through the ice. On Lake Erie, it’s a great option when you need a little more mass without stepping up to a huge profile.
Strengths on Erie: The Little Cleo drops quickly, stays on your sonar cone, and has a pronounced wobble that plays well with both active and neutral fish. It’s especially nice when you’re fishing deeper structure or in moderate current.
Fishing tips:
- Work it with firm, moderate lifts and controlled drops to keep the spoon swinging rather than spinning.
- Tip it with a minnow head or tail to add scent and subtle drag on the fall.
- Use metallic finishes in clear water and brighter or glow patterns in stained conditions.
7. Bay de Noc Do-Jigger
The Bay de Noc Do-Jigger is a thinner, more “cutting” spoon compared to the Swedish Pimple. It has a slightly more erratic, sweeping action and, thanks to its build, can be fished from slow flutter to more aggressive snaps.
When to pick the Do-Jigger: It’s a solid choice in moderate depths and lighter current, or when fish seem to react better to a wider, more unpredictable fall. On Lake Erie, that can be the difference between a follow and a crush.
How to fish it on hardwater:
- Start with medium lifts and let the bait free-fall occasionally to show a different look.
- Use smaller sizes when fish are focused on small forage or under heavy pressure.
- Upsize and speed up the cadence when you see aggressive marks streaking on the graph.
8. Silver Streak Blade Bait
The Silver Streak Blade Bait is another lure many anglers think of primarily for open water, but it’s a beast under the ice on Lake Erie when used correctly. It has a dense body, hard thump, and subtle shimmy on the drop that can really fire up neutral ‘eyes.
Best uses on Erie: Blade baits excel when you’re trying to pull fish in from a distance or dealing with off-color water where vibration and flash trump subtlety. They’re also excellent for probing deeper edges and basins quickly.
Presentation pointers:
- Use short, sharp pops to get the blade buzzing, then hold still and let the bait hover.
- Don’t overwork it; a few aggressive rips followed by dead-sticking often does the trick.
- Heavier sizes help you maintain contact in deep water or slight current — key on Erie’s big basins.
9. Rapala Rippin’ Rap
The Rapala Rippin’ Rap brings a loud, lipless crankbait profile to the ice and is a favorite for aggressive Lake Erie walleye. It features a hard, tight vibration and pronounced rattle chamber that can pull fish in from far off your hole.
When it’s deadly: The Rippin’ Rap excels in stained water, low-light windows, and during feeding windows when bigger fish are hunting. It’s also a great tool for covering water and locating active pods of walleye before you slow down with spoons or jigs.
Key tips for ice fishing the Rippin’ Rap:
- Rip it up with sharp, 1–3 foot snaps, then let it fall back under control.
- Pause longer when fish follow but don’t commit; sometimes they’ll hit when the bait just quivers in place.
- Try the Ultralight Rippin’ Rap when you need a smaller profile or a subtler entry.
Bold patterns, glow accents, and natural baitfish tones all have their days. On Erie, having a couple of each gives you options as water color and light change.
Building a Lake Erie Walleye Ice Box from These Baits
If you’re just getting started with Lake Erie walleye through the ice, you don’t need every size and color of all ten lures. A streamlined starter spread might look like this:
- Two spoons: A Swedish Pimple and a Slender Spoon in different sizes for flash and flutter.
- Two jigging baits: A Jigging Rap and a Rippin’ Rap for reaction bites and search mode.
- One blade bait: A Silver Streak Blade or Reef Runner Cicada for vibration and stained water.
- One finesse option: A Clam Blade Jig for deadstick duty or pressured fish.
From there, you can expand your color and size selection based on what you see on your electronics and which lures consistently turn marks into bites. For more help dialing in your complete system, pair this guide with articles on choosing the best ice fishing line and selecting the right ice rods for walleye.
FAQs: Ice Baits for Lake Erie Walleye
What is the single best ice bait for Lake Erie walleye?
There’s no “one lure to rule them all,” but if you forced most Erie regulars to pick just one, a spoon like the Swedish Pimple or Rattle Streak would be near the top. They’re versatile, easy to see on sonar, and effective in a wide range of conditions.
What colors work best on Lake Erie under the ice?
In clear water, natural metallic finishes like silver, gold, and nickel paired with subtle accent colors shine. When the water is stained or you’re fishing low light, glow, UV, chartreuse, and firetiger patterns can outproduce more natural tones. It’s smart to carry at least one “loud” and one “natural” option in each lure style.
How important is lure size for Lake Erie walleye?
Size absolutely matters. Matching the approximate size of local forage (often 2–3 inch shiners or smelt) is a good starting point. On tough days or after a front, downsizing one step can make a big difference, especially with spoons and jigging baits.
Do I always need to tip these lures with bait?
Not always. Many anglers run spoons and jigging baits clean when fish are aggressive. Tipping with a minnow head or tail can help on tougher bites, but too much meat can dampen the action of blades and some spoons. Experiment to see what your marks respond to.
Can these baits be used on other lakes, or are they just for Erie?
Every bait on this top 10 list catches walleye on many other waters. They’re standouts on Erie because they cope well with depth, current, and big-water conditions, but they transfer nicely to inland lakes, reservoirs, and river systems.
What line and rod setup should I use with these baits?
A common approach is braided main line (6–10 lb) with a fluorocarbon leader (8–12 lb) for spoons, jigging baits, and blades. Pair them with 28–36 inch medium-light to medium rods that have crisp backbones but sensitive tips so you can read the lure and detect light bites.
Final Thoughts: Fish Smarter on Lake Erie This Winter
Lake Erie walleye ice fishing can be world-class, but the anglers who consistently put big fish topside are the ones who treat their lure selection like a toolbox, not a lucky charm. With these top 9 ice baits for Lake Erie walleye—a mix of spoons, jigging baits, blades, and finesse options—you can cover almost any scenario you’ll encounter on the ice.
Start with a small spread of proven baits, pay close attention to how walleyes react on your electronics, and rotate through your options until you find the day’s pattern. Once you dial in the right bait, cadence, and color, repeat it with confidence across your spots.
If this guide helped you refine your Lake Erie walleye ice spread, share it with a buddy who’s gearing up for hardwater season and drop a comment with your own “can’t-leave-home-without-it” lure. Then explore related FishUSA resources on ice rods, line, electronics, and safety so you’re fully prepared for your next trip onto the Big Lake.
Shop Ice Fishing Gear