Best Ice Fishing Tip-Ups of 2026
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Ice fishing tip-ups are a popular and efficient way to catch fish during the winter months. These devices are designed to alert fishermen when a fish has taken the bait by setting off a flag or other indicator. Tip-ups come in a variety of sizes and types, including traditional wooden models and more modern plastic versions with advanced features such as built-in lights and alarms. They are easy to use and can be set up in just a few minutes, making them a great choice for both experienced ice fishermen and beginners alike.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Ice Fishing Tip-Ups
Frabill Arctic Fire Tip Up
The Frabill Arctic Fire Tip-Up is designed to make your ice fishing experience easier and more efficient. It features a sturdy, molded poly base with two trigger settings, allowing you to adjust sensitivity for smaller fish like panfish or walleye, or heavier baits for bigger game fish. The 17.5-inch flag shaft with a bright flag helps you spot bites quickly from a distance. Additionally, it includes a built-in 19-inch ruler to measure your catch right on the spot. This tip-up combines durability and practical features to keep you ready for any ice fishing adventure.
Beaver Dam BD-SWX3050 30Lb Tip-Up Line
The Beaver Dam Tip-Up Line is designed to improve your ice fishing experience with its reliable features. It comes with a strong 30-pound test line, giving you confidence that it can handle larger catches without breaking. The line is 50 yards long, providing plenty of length to cover a wide fishing area. The product also includes the Frabill 6405 Cover, which offers large shelter protection to help keep your fishing setup safe from harsh weather. This combination makes the Beaver Dam Tip-Up Line a convenient and sturdy choice for ice anglers looking for durability and ease of use.
Eagle Claw Tip Up Spool Keeper (5 Pack)
The Eagle Claw Spool Keeper comes in a convenient pack of five, giving you plenty of clips for your fishing needs. These keepers are perfect for attaching your hook securely to your tip-up spool, making it easy to manage your line. They hold the hook firmly without causing any damage to your fishing line, which helps maintain your gear’s durability. Designed for ice fishing tip-ups, this product ensures your setup stays organized and efficient, so you can focus more on fishing and less on equipment hassle.
Celsius Multi 3 Pack Tip-Up
The Celsius Tip-Up is a fishing equipment package that includes a multi 3 pack tip-up with tackle. With a compact package size of 5.08 cm in length, 15.24 cm in width, and 60.96 cm in height, this product is ideal for ice fishing enthusiasts. The tip-up design provides convenience for setting up multiple lines, while the included tackle enhances your fishing experience. Stay organized and ready to catch more fish with this Celsius Tip-Up.
Deep Freeze BlueTipz Bluetooth Ice Fishing Alarm
The Deep Freeze BlueTipz Alarm uses Bluetooth to send alerts directly to your phone, so you’ll know immediately when a fish bites without constantly watching your tip-ups. You can customize each transmitter with unique names and tones, making it easy to identify which tip-up has a catch. It’s also versatile, fitting various ice fishing setups like tip-ups and automatic hook setters, with durable plastic construction for lasting use. The bright LED light on the transmitter can be changed via the app, helping you spot flags even in low light or at night. Overall, this system makes ice fishing simpler and more enjoyable by keeping you connected and informed.
Brocraft Ice Fishing Tip-Up
The Brocraft Tip-Up enhances your ice fishing experience by transforming your favorite rod and reel setup into a versatile tip-up or trap. This feature allows you to easily monitor multiple fishing lines simultaneously, increasing your chances of a successful catch. The built-in flag signals when a fish strikes, ensuring you don’t miss any opportunities. With its patent-pending design, you can enjoy a more efficient fishing process, making your time on the ice more productive and enjoyable. Note that the bobber kit is sold separately, so keep that in mind for your setup.
SF Ice Fishing Tip-Up with Orange Pole Flags
The SF Ice Fishing Tip-Up is a foldable fishing accessory that measures approximately 17.3x15.6 inches when unfolded. Its foldable design makes it easy to set up and carry, allowing you to fish hands-free in winter. Crafted with sturdy metal iron parts and an upgraded durable plastic spool, this tip-up features flexible metal components with a red flag to ensure you never miss a catch. Additionally, the built-in ruler on the base, extending up to 16 inches, lets you conveniently measure your fish. Enjoy a hassle-free ice fishing experience with the SF Ice Fishing Tip-Up.
Beaver Dam BD-SWX4050 Tip-Up Line
The Beaver Dam Tip-Up Line is a high-quality ice fishing line designed for durability and convenience. With its abrasion-resistant construction, this line is built to withstand the harsh conditions of ice fishing. It is also designed to resist freezing, ensuring that it remains flexible and easy to use even in low temperatures. The smooth and braided design of the line allows for easy handling and prevents tangling, making it a breeze to set up and use on your tip-up. Whether you're a seasoned ice angler or a beginner, the Beaver Dam Tip-Up Line is a reliable choice that will enhance your ice fishing experience.
Generic Just The Tip Yellow Tip-Up Light
The Generic Yellow Tip-Up Light is designed to work with all types of tip ups and tip downs, making it a versatile choice for your ice fishing needs. It provides a bright, noticeable glow that lasts for a long time, so you can easily spot your fishing line even in low light conditions. This light is simple to operate, letting you focus more on fishing and less on setting up. With this handy tool, you’ll have a clearer way to monitor your tip-ups and improve your ice fishing experience.
Bullnose Original Blue Ice Fishing Tip Down-Tip Up
The Bullnose Original Blue Ice Fishing Tip Down-Tip Up is a newly manufactured product designed to enable ice fishers to know when the fish is beginning to show interest in their bait. Made of durable steel metal, it is heavy duty enough to withstand the most common ice fishing conditions. It is a smaller version of Big Red designed for most spinning reels and some smaller straight-line reels. You can place one per hole while you wait for the slightest movement of a fish bite. The frame collapses down for easy transport and unfolds for use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do you need tip-ups for ice fishing?
Tip-ups are essential for ice fishing as they allow fishermen to fish multiple holes simultaneously, target different depths at once, and cover various positions on drop-offs or bottom structures. They are rigged with flags that pop up when a fish takes the bait, making it easier to monitor multiple lines at once.
2. What is the best depth to ice fish?
The best depth for ice fishing generally ranges from 3 to 20 feet. It is often observed that the locations where fish are found during the spring and fall seasons are the same areas where they can be found in winter. Setting up traps to cover a variety of depths can increase your chances of success while ice fishing.
3. What pound tip-up line should I use?
The pound test line to use for tip-ups depends on the type of fish you are targeting. A 20-30 lb. test line is suitable for bass, while larger fish like pike, lake trout, and salmon may require a heavier test line. It's important to use an improved clinch knot to securely attach a barrel swivel to the fishing line.
4. What should you not do when ice fishing?
When ice fishing, it is important to avoid areas with moving water as the ice is usually weaker in such locations. It is advisable to ask locals for information on safe fishing spots and to be aware of your surroundings, including watching out for snow conditions. Fishing with a companion, spreading out, and carrying spikes for added traction are also recommended safety measures.
5. Can you leave tip-ups overnight?
Leaving tip-ups overnight or during cold days is possible, but it is recommended to use hole covers to prevent the holes from freezing over. These covers can be purchased or made by cutting specialty mats for standing 4x4. Using hole covers helps protect the tip-ups and makes it easier to continue fishing without having to chip out the tip-up.
6. How much line should I put on a tip up?
When spooling a tip-up, it is not crucial to fill the entire spool with line. A good practice is to put about 50-75 yards of Dacron line on each spool of the tip-up. This amount of line is typically sufficient for ice fishing and allows for easy handling and management of the line.
During our ice fishing tip-up research, we found 24 ice fishing tip-up products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 17,016 customer reviews through our big data system to write the ice fishing tip-ups list. We found that most customers choose ice fishing tip-ups with an average price of $15.09.
The ice fishing tip-ups are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of ice fishing tip-ups, including FRABILL, Beaver Dam, Eagle Claw, Celsius, Deep Freeze. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 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.