The short answer
For a small, heavy jig to tip with a waxie, the Lindy Tungsten Toad; for a minnow-shaped spoon a forum regular calls his long-time go-to (in glow red), the Northland Forage Minnow Spoon; for a plastic a crappie angler says has outfished live bait for him, the Clam Maki.
Our verdict
Ice Crappie Lure Top Picks
Crappie through the ice take small baits: a tungsten ice jig with a waxworm or plastic, a 1/16 oz spoon, or a small darting hard bait. Ice anglers name each of these eight for crappie. For rods, reels and line, see our fishing gear guides.
Related guide: Best Costa Glasses for Fishing, Matched to Your Water
Related guide: Best Fishing Bait for Lakes, by Species and Bait Type
Lure finder
Find an ice crappie lure for how you fish
Pick a style and a price tier. The suggestion is our editorial starting point among the eight lures below, drawn from the maker pages and forum reports cited in each review, not a test result.
Tiers are relative to the lures in this guide; live prices are in the comparison table below.
Compare the picks
Compare the 8 Ice Fishing Crappie Lures
Figures are the maker’s unless marked “listing” (the Amazon listing).
Lindy Tungsten ToadTungsten Ice JigJig, tungstenTungsten jig$4.53 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Northland Forage Minnow SpoonMinnow Jigging SpoonSpoon, minnow tippingSpoon$6.57 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Lindy Frostee SpoonSmall Red-Treble SpoonSpoon, small profileSpoon$5.02 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Rapala Jigging Rap W2Small Swimming JigHard bait, dartingSwimming jig$12.77 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Rapala Ultra Light Rippin' Rap 03Lipless Rattle BaitHard bait, rattleLipless rattle bait$10.37 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Northland Buck-Shot Rattle SpoonRattle SpoonSpoon, rattleRattle spoon$7.99 Prime
Evidence: In-Depth Outdoors forum: named in one poster's crappie list; size not stated
Rapala Slab Rap SLR04Flutter SpoonHard bait, flutterFlutter spoon$10.37
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Clam MakiHand-Poured PlasticPlastic, jig tippingSoft plastic$6.22
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
How These Crappie Ice Lures Were Chosen
How this guide was built
built from manufacturer documentation, published third-party reviews and owner reports; we have not tested these products ourselves.
What each lure had to show
- A named source using it for crappie through the ice.
- A crappie size: 1/16 to 1/8 oz, or a small plastic, with the maker’s figures.
Where the crappie evidence comes from
Where the crappie evidence comes from
No independent test was readable, so the evidence is owner reports. The In-Depth Outdoors thread names six of these eight. The r/IceFishing crappie thread adds the Tungsten Toad. Nicole Stone’s Virtual Angling guide lists the Toad and Frostee beside a discount code for Lurenet, which sells Lindy: not independent. For open-water jig poles, see our crappie jigging rods guide.
Ice Fishing Lures for Crappie: Detailed Reviews
Lindy Tungsten Toad, Tungsten Ice Jig
Verdict
A small, heavy tungsten jig to tip with a waxworm or plastic.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/IceFishing crappie thread: size not stated.
Lindy says the Toad “is denser than lead and sinks faster,” giving “the same weight from a smaller-sized jig,” and that it “Fishes horizontally.” A poster in the r/IceFishing crappie thread answers: “Tungsten toad jig with a waxie.” Nicole Stone also lists it, beside a Lurenet discount code.
Specs (linked: Glow, #10 hook)
Pros
- Tungsten head Lindy says sinks faster than lead
Cons
- Weight not published by Lindy
- Amazon’s price above Lindy’s own store when checked
- Weight: not published (Amazon’s Chartreuse Glow #10 listing: 1/16 oz); hooks #10, #12 and #14 (Lindy)
- Body: tungsten (Lindy)
- Price tier: $
Northland Forage Minnow Spoon, Minnow Jigging Spoon
Anglers who tip a small baitfish-look spoon with a minnow head.
$6.57 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 00:34 UTCVerdict
A minnow-image 1/16 oz spoon to tip with a minnow head or plastic.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. In-Depth Outdoors forum: 1/16 oz, glow red.
Northland calls it “the most lifelike miniature-sized jigging spoon.” On In-Depth Outdoors, Tom Sawvell writes: “A 1/16 Forage Minnow jigging spoon in glow red with a white micro-nuggie was my go-to for a long time.” We link Wonderbread. A maker-hosted review notes “Hooks could be a little stronger.”
Specs (linked: Wonderbread, 1/16 oz)
Pros
- Minnow-image spoon a forum regular used for crappie for years
Cons
- Hook size not published by Northland
- Weight: 1/16 oz (Northland)
- Hook: treble, size not published
- Price tier: $
Lindy Frostee Spoon, Small Red-Treble Spoon
Verdict
A 5/8 in spoon with a red treble for light tipping.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. In-Depth Outdoors forum: 1/16 oz, white and pink glow.
Lindy pitches it for “down-sized vertical jigging on ice or open water” with a “Bleeding Bait red treble hook” for “waxies, mini-plastics.” In an In-Depth Outdoors ice thread on crappie and bluegill spoons, Sandbags writes: “I have good success with the 1/16oz lindy frostee spoons in white glow and pink glow.” We link Glow Red. Lindy’s size listing gives “1/16 oz. (5/8 in, #14 treble)”. Against the Forage Minnow: a red treble, no minnow image.
Specs (linked: Glow Red, 1/16 oz)
Pros
- 5/8 in body with a red treble, per Lindy
Cons
- Amazon’s price above Lindy’s own store when checked
- Weight and length: 1/16 oz, 5/8 in (Lindy)
- Hook: #14 red treble (Lindy)
- Price tier: $
Rapala Jigging Rap W2, Small Swimming Jig
Verdict
The smallest Jigging Rap, a weighted minnow that swims in circles.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. In-Depth Outdoors forum: size 2 (W2).
Rapala says it swims “in tantalizing circles under the ice or in open water for suspended game fish.” On In-Depth Outdoors, slipperybob writes: “On the size 2 Jigging Rap, I cut off the front hook. Because I had crappies try swallowing the lure”.
Specs (linked: Fruit Punch, W2)
Pros
- 1-1/4 in weighted minnow that circles, per Rapala
Cons
- Twice the weight of the 1/16 oz lures here
- Amazon’s price ran well above Rapala’s list when checked
- Weight and length: 1/8 oz, 1-1/4 in (Rapala)
- Hook: One No. 14 on Rapala’s table
- Price tier: $$
Rapala Ultra Light Rippin’ Rap 03, Lipless Rattle Bait
Rapala Ultra Light Rippin' Rap 03
Anglers who want a loud, small hard bait for active crappie.
$10.37 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 00:34 UTCVerdict
A 1/16 oz lipless bait with BB rattles.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. In-Depth Outdoors forum: size not stated.
Rapala gives it a “loud, distinctive BB rattle system” and pitches it for casting. On In-Depth Outdoors, Youbetcha writes: “I was the only one that could get the crappies to go on a rippin rap while they were jigging spoons.” Against the Jigging Rap, it rattles rather than circles.
Specs (linked: Glow, ULRPR03)
Pros
- Lipless 1/16 oz body with BB rattles, per Rapala
Cons
- Rapala’s copy is for open-water casting
- Weight and length: 1/16 oz, 1-1/8 in (Rapala)
- Hooks: No. 12 and No. 14 (Rapala)
- Price tier: $$
Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon, Rattle Spoon
Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon
Anglers who want sound as well as flash to pull crappie in.
$7.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 00:34 UTCVerdict
A 1/16 oz spoon with a brass rattle.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. In-Depth Outdoors forum: size not stated.
Northland says it “features a noisy brass Buck-Shot® rattle” to “call fish from a wide radius,” but does not name crappie. The crappie link is a poster’s list on In-Depth Outdoors that names the “Northland Buckshot spoon.” Against the Forage Minnow, it adds the rattle.
Specs (linked: Super-Glo Rainbow, 1/16 oz)
Pros
- Brass rattle in a 1/16 oz spoon, per Northland
Cons
- Northland does not name crappie; the source is a list, not a report
- Weight: 1/16 oz (Northland); 1-3/16 in and #10 hook per the listing
- Body: metal with a brass rattle (Northland)
- Price tier: $$
Rapala Slab Rap SLR04, Flutter Spoon
Anglers who want a subtler bait for crappie that look but won't bite.
$10.37 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 00:34 UTCVerdict
A 1-1/2 in flutter spoon, a subtler step down from the Rippin’ Rap, per a forum angler.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. In-Depth Outdoors forum: size 4 (SLR04).
Rapala’s “weight forward design enables a rocking action for triggering negative fish.” On In-Depth Outdoors, papaperch names the size 4 and writes: “I switch to the slab rap as it is a little more subtle than the rippin.” Sold by Delaney’s Outdoors on Amazon at the time of writing.
Specs (linked: Headspin, SLR04)
Pros
- Weight-forward body that rocks, per Rapala
Cons
- Priced above Rapala’s list when checked
Who should buy it
Anglers who want a subtler bait for crappie that look but won’t bite.
- Weight and length: 1/8 oz, 1-1/2 in (Rapala)
- Hooks: two No. 12 (Rapala)
- Price tier: $$
Clam Maki, Hand-Poured Plastic
Tungsten-jig anglers who want a plastic in place of live bait.
$6.22 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 00:34 UTCVerdict
A five-legged soft plastic for a small tungsten jig.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. In-Depth Outdoors forum: pink or glow white, size not stated.
Clam calls the Maki “a five-legged water spider” of “super-soft, hand-poured plastic” with “Maki Juice scent.” On In-Depth Outdoors, crappie55369 writes: “My go to setup is a small tungsten drop jig with a pink or glow white maki plastic. I have outfished live bait with this many many times.” Sold by Reveal Outdoors on Amazon, above Clam’s list price, at the time of writing.
Specs (linked: Hot Pink Glow, 1 1/4 in)
Pros
- Scented, hand-poured five-legged plastic, per Clam
Cons
- No hook: needs a jig
- Length: 1 1/4 in, 8 per bag (listing); Clam gives no length
- Price tier: $
Choosing Crappie Ice Fishing Lures: Weight, Tungsten and Colour
Tungsten or lead. Nicole Stone writes that tungsten jigs “offer a smaller profile yet boast greater weight,” and suggests lead “when a slower fall is preferred.” See our types of fishing lures guide for lure families.
Related guide: Best Pike Lures by Type, From Spoons to Crankbaits
Size. A Reddit poster writes “I’m a fan of 1/32-1/16oz jigs”; four picks here are 1/16 oz.
Line. Stone: “Any 2 – 6 lb line will do.” See our ice fishing line guide.
Colour. Posters differ: fire tiger then white, pink or glow white, glow red.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the best lure for catching crappie on ice?
No source we read ranks one. Posters in both threads name a small tungsten jig with a plastic or waxworm: the Toad and Maki.
Q. What are the best ice fishing lures for crappie on a tough bite?
Posters step down: papaperch from a Rippin’ Rap to the subtler Slab Rap; Stone to a slow-falling lead jig.
The bottom line
Final Verdict
Jig and plastic: the Lindy Tungsten Toad (check price) with the Clam Maki (check price). Spoons: the Northland Forage Minnow Spoon (check price), the Lindy Frostee Spoon (check price) and the rattling Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon (check price). Hard baits: the Rapala Jigging Rap W2 (check price) to swim, the Rapala Ultra Light Rippin’ Rap 03 (check price) to rattle, the Rapala Slab Rap SLR04 (check price) for shy fish.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
