Best Ice Fishing Rods of 2025

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Ice fishing rods are essential tools for any angler who wants to catch fish in icy waters. These specialized rods are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of frozen lakes and rivers, and are typically shorter and stiffer than regular fishing rods. They are also equipped with sensitive tips that allow anglers to feel even the slightest nibble from fish below the ice. Ice fishing rods come in a variety of lengths, weights, and materials, and can be used to catch a wide range of fish species including trout, walleye, and perch. With the right ice fishing rod in hand, anglers can enjoy a thrilling and rewarding fishing experience even in the dead of winter.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Ice Fishing Rods
Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Ice Fishing Rod
The Shakespeare GX2 Ice Rod is designed for serious ice fishing enthusiasts. Its Ugly Tech construction combines graphite and fiberglass, giving you a lightweight yet strong rod that enhances your fishing experience. The innovative Ugly Tuff guides are made from one-piece stainless steel, preventing the hassle of insert pop outs during use. Additionally, the Clear Tip design provides extra strength and sensitivity, allowing you to feel even the slightest nibble. Finally, the durable EVA grips ensure comfort while you fish, making this rod a reliable choice for long hours on the ice.
Goture Ice Fishing Combo Kit
The Goture Ice Fishing Set is perfect for both beginners and seasoned anglers. It features a lightweight, double-tip ice fishing rod made from carbon, providing sensitivity and power for detecting even the faintest bites. The included spinning reel offers a strong drag system, making it easier to reel in larger fish. With 86 pieces of ice fishing jigs and soft baits, you have plenty of options to attract fish, some of which glow in the dark for added effectiveness. Additionally, the convenient fishing sling bag ensures you can organize and transport all your gear safely.
Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Ice Fishing Rod, 30"
The Shakespeare Ice Rod GX2 is a reliable 30-inch medium heavy ice fishing rod. The Ugly Tech construction combines graphite and fiberglass, ensuring durability. With Ugly Tuff guides featuring one-piece stainless steel, you won't have to worry about insert pop outs. The Ugly Stik Clear Tip design provides extra strength and sensitivity, enhancing your fishing experience. The EVA grips are lightweight and durable, offering comfort during long fishing sessions.
HT Enterprise IB-24 24 Ice Blue Super Flex Rod Ul Action
The HT Enterprise IB-24 24 Ice Blue Super Flex Rod Ul Action is an ice fishing rod with a Corkalon handle, black rings, and a fast action fluorescent orange tip. It is designed to provide excellent sensitivity and flexibility, allowing you to easily detect bites and quickly set the hook. The Corkalon handle provides a comfortable grip, while the black rings add durability and strength to the rod. The fast action fluorescent orange tip is highly visible, making it easy to see when you get a bite.
HT Enterprise IB-18 Ice Blue Super Flex Rod
The HT Ice Blue Rod is a versatile 18-inch ice fishing rod by HT. It features a Corkalon handle for a comfortable grip, black rings for durability, and a fast-action fluorescent orange tip for high visibility. The medium action makes it suitable for various fishing conditions, while the dark blue guide wrappings add a stylish touch. With this rod, you can enjoy a comfortable grip, easy handling, and quick responsiveness, enhancing your ice fishing experience.
HT PLC-25M Walleye Ice Rod
The HT PLC-25M Walleye Ice Rod is a 24-inch ice fishing rod designed for catching walleye. The package dimensions are 8.636 cm in length, 14.224 cm in width, and 99.568 cm in height. This fishing equipment is perfect for ice fishing enthusiasts who want to catch walleye with ease. The medium action of the rod provides a good balance of flexibility and strength, allowing you to feel even the slightest bite from the fish. The 24-inch length is perfect for ice fishing as it allows you to maneuver easily in the small space of an ice fishing hole. The HT PLC-25M Walleye Ice Rod is lightweight and easy to carry, making it a great addition to your ice fishing gear.
13 FISHING Omen Ice Rod
The 13 FISHING Omen Ice Rod is a medium-light (ML) fishing rod designed for ice fishing. It features a J36T solid carbon blank, which makes it lightweight and durable for long-term use. The rod also comes with an Evolve Ported Reel Seat, Portuguese 3A cork handle, and Evolve Thin Wire Guides, providing a comfortable grip, easy access to the reel, and a smooth casting experience. Additionally, it comes with a 1-year limited warranty, ensuring customer satisfaction.
13 FISHING Widow Maker Ice Rod
The 13 FISHING Ice Rod features innovative PC2 Flat Tip Blank Technology, which enhances sensitivity, allowing you to feel even the slightest nibble. The High Vis-Tip makes it easy to spot bites, even in low-light conditions, ensuring you never miss a catch. Its premium Japanese EVA Split Grip Handle provides comfort and a secure grip, making long fishing sessions more enjoyable. Additionally, the ALPS Thin Wire Double Diamond Coated Guides improve line flow, reducing friction and increasing casting distance. This combination of features makes the rod a reliable choice for ice fishing enthusiasts.
KAKASEA Ice Fishing Rod Set
The KAKASEA Ice Fishing Rod is designed for ease of use and comfort. Its short knots make tying easy, allowing you to spend more time fishing and less time preparing. The comfortable handle provides a strong grip, ensuring you can fish for hours without discomfort. This rod is versatile, suitable for various fishing environments, including beach fishing. Additionally, its telescopic design features a smooth finish that protects your fishing line, reducing the risk of damage while you reel in your catch. Experience convenience and effectiveness with this lightweight and elegant fishing rod.
HEITIGN Ice Fishing Rod Kit A75l
HEITIGN Winter Rod Set is a portable ice fishing kit that includes a premium 75cm rod for comfortable fishing in cold weather. The plastic float in bright red helps you see if you've caught a fish. The metal fishing reel is anti-corrosive and easy to use. The set also comes with string hooks and copper pendants for a complete fishing experience. It's a versatile gift for anglers of all levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What size rod for ice fishing?
A standard length for ice fishing rods is around 28 inches with a fast-action tip. For walleye, small trout, and pike, a medium-action rod of about 28 to 30 inches in length with a solid backbone throughout the lower two-thirds is recommended.
2. What power ice fishing rod do I need?
For most ice fishing situations, a medium or medium-light power rod is suitable. These rods have enough strength to handle most targeted species. However, if you plan to fish for larger fish like muskies or pike, it is recommended to use a medium-heavy to heavy strength rod that can handle the power of these bigger fish.
3. Should I get a light or medium rod for ice fishing?
When choosing an ice fishing rod, consider the target species. Ultra-light rods are ideal for panfish, light rods work well for perch, and light to medium rods are suitable for walleye, whitefish, and most trout.
4. Are longer ice rods better?
Longer ice rods offer several benefits, especially when fishing outdoors. They make it easier to fish while standing up, provide better hook sets, and offer better control and line protection when fighting larger fish.
5. Is 8 or 10 hole better for ice fishing?
The choice between an 8-inch or 10-inch hole for ice fishing depends on the targeted species. If you are primarily fishing for bigger predators like walleye and northern pike, a 10-inch hole is recommended for better maneuverability and landing these larger fish.
6. What size hole do you drill for ice fishing?
A 6-inch hole is a versatile and commonly used size for most ice fishing situations. It is easy to drill and can accommodate various types of fish.
7. What is a medium heavy ice rod good for?
A medium-heavy ice rod, such as a 45-inch medium-heavy baitcaster, is ideal for targeting larger fish like giant pike, sturgeon, catfish, or world-class trout. It is a durable and tough rod suitable for handling the power of these species.
8. Is 3 inches enough for ice fishing?
No, it is not safe to be on ice that is 3 inches or less thick. To support the weight of an average person, a minimum of 4 inches of clear, solid ice is required. It is important to follow ice thickness guidelines for safety when ice fishing.
9. Is 50 yards of line enough for ice fishing?
A 50-yard spool of ice fishing line can be used on two reels, providing approximately 25 yards of line per reel. It is recommended to start spooling with leftover braided line from the summer and then finish with 25 yards of reliable ice fishing line, ensuring you have enough line for ice fishing.
During our ice fishing rod research, we found 24 ice fishing rod products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,914 customer reviews through our big data system to write the ice fishing rods list. We found that most customers choose ice fishing rods with an average price of $15.28.
The ice fishing rods are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of ice fishing rods, including Shakespeare, Goture, Ugly Stik, HT, 13 FISHING. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Paul Tilton is a fitness enthusiast. He doesn't like to work in front of a computer screen so he quit his job and runs a gym in Washington. He spent a lot of time on the road and has been a contributing writer for a well-known travel guide website. He is now happy to share his travel experience and professional knowledge of travel gear and fitness here.