Best Ice Fishing Tip-Ups of 2025

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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
FRABILL Arctic Fire Tip-Up is a reliable ice fishing tip-up with features that cater to different types of fish. The dual trip settings allow you to adjust the sensitivity based on the fish you're targeting. The high visibility flag ensures you can spot when you have a bite easily. The built-in ruler helps you measure your catch without the need for additional tools. The large capacity metal spool with counter-balance crank knobs provides a smooth fishing experience. Overall, FRABILL Arctic Fire Tip-Up is a durable and convenient tool for ice anglers.
Beaver Dam Ice Fishing Rail Tip-Up (BDTP-CL)
The Beaver Dam Ice Fishing Rail Tip-Up is a hand-made premium quality ice fishing tip-up that is freeze-proof and wind-tested in the harshest conditions. Its innovative underwater-spool design incorporates Smooth-Spool Technology and Freezeproof Grease to ensure that finicky game fish stay on the line following the take. The seamless steel tube is filled with a freezeproof lubricant for fail-safe operation while the fabric flag stands at 17.5" for easy visibility. The tip-up is built to last a lifetime and is still made by hand to provide smooth, trouble-free operation with ultimate stealth.
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.
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.
Celsius CE-UT-2PK Up-Tip Hole-Cover/2 Pack
The Celsius CE-UT-2PK Up-Tip Hole-Cover is a set of 2 ice fishing tip-ups that come with an up-tip base, spool arm, and pre-lined spool. The innovative above ice spool system and integrated hole-cover make it easy to use and assemble. This product is perfect for ice fishing enthusiasts who want a hassle-free experience.
CLAM Trophy Thermal Tip Up
The CLAM Tip Up is designed for ice fishing enthusiasts who want reliability and efficiency. With a 10.5-inch diameter, it fits all hole sizes, ensuring versatility on the ice. Its thermal foam insulation keeps your bait protected and fresh for longer, enhancing your chances of a catch. The adjustable high-visibility flag allows you to spot bites from a distance, while the adjustable shaft provides customization for different ice conditions. Together, these features make the CLAM Tip Up a practical choice for any angler looking to improve their ice fishing experience.
SF Black Ice Fishing Tip-Up
The SF Ice Fishing Tip-Up is designed for convenience and efficiency during your winter fishing trips. Its foldable design makes it easy to transport and set up, allowing you to focus on fishing rather than managing equipment. With strong metal components and a durable plastic spool, you can rely on its performance. The flexible metal parts feature a vibrant red flag that alerts you to any bites, ensuring you won't miss a catch. Additionally, the built-in ruler on the base measures up to 16 inches, making it simple to keep track of your fish size.
Vexan Ice Fishing Tip Up 3-Pack
The Vexan Ice Fishing Tip Ups make your fishing experience easier and more efficient. With rapid setup and tangle-free storage, you can quickly deploy your gear without worrying about messy lines. Their bright green color enhances visibility, helping you spot your setup easily and keeping other anglers informed. The reflective flag serves as an instant alert when a fish bites, ensuring you never miss a catch. Additionally, the reliable no-slip design features a sturdy spool handle and grip teeth that anchor securely in the ice, providing you with confidence and stability while fishing.
Clam 10391 Blue Ice Tip Up
The Clam 10391 Blue Ice Tip Up is a must-have for ice fishing enthusiasts. With a 14” flag shaft that has a high-visibility red flag, you can easily spot when a fish is biting. The dual trip settings make it suitable for different types of fish, while the low temperature lube ensures smooth operation even in cold conditions. Additionally, it comes pre-spooled with 25 yards of 15 lb nylon braid, making it ready to use right out of the box.
Beaver Dam BDTP-AF Tip-Up
The Beaver Dam Tip-Up is a classic choice for ice fishing enthusiasts. Its original design has been proven effective for catching fish, giving you confidence on the ice. You’ll appreciate its smooth operation, which allows for stealthy fishing, so you can avoid scaring away your catch. Hand-crafted on a custom-finished board, this tip-up combines quality and aesthetics, enhancing your fishing experience. Additionally, the customizable flag trip-tension settings let you adjust the sensitivity, ensuring you never miss a bite. This feature is especially useful for adapting to different fishing conditions.
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 16,923 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 $27.82.
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, Brocraft, Celsius, CLAM. 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.