2024 Ice Anglers Gift Guide

Holiday shopping for a hard-water angler? Our 2024 Ice Angler’s Gift Guide is full of great gift and stocking stuffer ideas for ice-fishing enthusiasts. To make your shopping easy, we’ve divided gift recommendations into three price categories — $20 or less, $20 to $50, and $50+.

High on the list of this year’s must-have ice fishing baits are CrushCity’s new minnow soft plastics ($8.99). The all-new 3-1/2” Mooch Minnow will be the undoing of many walleye, trout, lake trout and other fish this winter. Also sure to be a hit are new bait sizes, like the 2-1/2” The Mayor, the 3” and 5.5” Heavy Hitter, and 5” The Jerk.

The existing CrushCity line is still catching plenty of fish, of course. The Suspect, Freeloader and Creeper are just a few great gift-worthy options for catching walleye, pike, lake trout, panfish and more.

Walleye, lake trout, northern pike and other predatory fish can’t resist the Jigging Shadow Rap ($16.49+). Featuring a broad silhouette, tantalizing darting and swimming action, plus an outstanding colour selection, including 4 new colours. It’s no wonder why the Jigging Shadow Rap is one of the hottest lures in Canada right now.

Infused with Jigging Rap DNA, this “Magnum” version ($16.49+)features the same swimming action as the original but is heavy weighted so it falls much faster into the strike zone of deep fish. The Jigging Rap Magnum’s durable, one-piece body and fin design are made to take a beating from ruthless, trophy walleye, lake trout, pike and other predators — and its upsized treble and a large tail hook ensure this bait bites back!

Mainstays in the tackle boxes of discerning ice anglers, the Jigging Rap ($8.99+), Jigging Shad Rap ($9.99+), Snap Rap ($12.99+), Slab Rap ($10.99+), Rippin’ Rap ($11.99+) and Ultra Light Rippin’ Rap ($11.49+) are affordable gift options sure to please. Crafted with quality materials and featuring premium finishes, these lures consistently attract fish and trigger strikes in a range of ice-fishing scenarios.

Precisely designed and precision tuned, the Rippin’ Blade ($14.99) produces instant vibrations, even at slow speeds — just what you need to attract and trigger strikes from lake trout, pike, walleye and whitefish. This next-gen bladebait comes in premium colours and features three line-tie positions for customizing action.

The Hatchet Spoon’s ($7.99+) intense fluttering action and vibration grabs the attention of aggressive fish and triggers reaction strikes. Dressed with a Marabou teaser tail over a super sharp VMC treble hook, expect this lure to quickly become a hot commodity this ice season. 

Taking the already deadly design and wounded baitfish action of the original Bull Spoon ($4.79+), VMC’s Bladed Bull Spoon ($7.49+) boasts more flash and vibration due to a Bladed Hybrid Treble Hook. Really, you can’t go wrong with either, so you might as well gift both of these stellar jigging spoons. 

A premium jigging spoon with a fluttering action, exposed rattle chamber, marabou teaser and dressed VMC treble, there’s a lot to like about the Rattling Roach Spoons ($9.49+). A must-have for any anger keen on catching more walleye, yellow perch, crappie, sunfish, whitefish and trout this winter.

The natural flowing action of marabou feathers give the Tungsten Roach Jig ($10.99+) a lifelike action. Tungsten helps it sink into the strike zone faster and make it easier to see on sonar compared to lead jigs. All good reasons to gift wrap a collection of these potent, pint-sized jig.

Customers have long been asking VMC to make live-bait and dead-bait rigs for ice fishing northern pike, walleye, lake trout and other big aggressive fish. Made with sticky sharp Bladed Hybrid Trebles for more flash and flicker, the Bladed Predator Rig Wire ($10.99+) and Fluorocarbon ($6.99+) are ideal for tip-ups, dead-sticking and rattle reel applications. Available in “Y” or single harness configurations. 

VMC Jig and Spoon Kits take the guesswork out of shopping for ice anglers. Bundled in the hottest colour patterns, these kits are always a hit and showcase VMC’s best-selling ice fishing offerings, such as the Tingler, Tumbler, Flash Champ, and Rattle Spoon Kits ($17.99+), as well as the Neon Moon Eye, Waxy, Tungsten Mongo and Tungsten Tubby Jig Kits ($10.99+). 

Using fresh, new fishing line is always a treat, so why not get them some Advance Ice Fluorocarbon ($13.99), Advance Ice Monofilament ($8.49) and 832 Advanced Ice Braid ($13.49), now available in bight Fire Camo. They’ll enjoy trouble-free line performance, feel more bites and catch more fish!

Costing less than a specialty coffee, the Ice Rod Sleeve ($9.99+) is an essential for protecting ice fishing rods from harsh, cold conditions and other unwanted abuse.

The Rapala Fish Towel ($4.99) comes with an easy-to-use carabiner clip and has a high absorbency rate. Best to get them a couple because wet, cold hands take the fun out of ice fishing.

Help them make quick work of clearing slush from ice holes with a Compact Mega Scoop ($13.99), Folding Ice Scoop ($4.99) or Metal Ice Skimmer/Scoop ($13.99).

Cutting line is an everyday task when ice fishing, so you can bet they’ll appreciate getting a quality cutting tool this holiday season. Top choices for ice anglers include the Retractable Line Scissors ($17.49), Fisherman’s Super Line Scissors ($9.49) and Fishing Clipper & Lanyard ($15.49).

This three piece shovel ($37.99) is designed with ice fishing in mind. Made of lightweight, durable aluminum, its telescopic design ensures compact storage and no-fuss transport. Definitely, a gift that’ll prove its worth many times over in the winter’s to come.

Keeping fishing lures protected and gear organized on the ice can be a challenge for some, but the task is definitely easier with Rapala’s innovative tackle storage solutions. The Jig Box ($23.99), Utility Box ($23.99) and Jigging Rap Ice Box ($20.99) are perfect for storing ice fishing baits and jigs, and are compact enough to fit into jacket and bib pockets. For anglers preferring larger boxes, Rapala’s heavy-duty Tackle Trays ($10.99+) are the best out there. 

Heatwave combos ($34.99) come in 26” medium-light or 28” medium rod configurations, and are great for anglers wanting to expand their ice fishing gear collection with a reliable, quality setup at an affordable price.

Delivering exceptional performance and value, Wicked Ice Rods ($36.99) are a versatile collection of jigging sticks ranging from ultra-light to medium-heavy power.

Extremely useful for customizing shelters and organizing gear, SmartHub System mounts and accessories make great gifts for any ice angler. This ever-expanding collection is full of great gift options, but here are some new items to consider:

The SmartHub Magnetic Tool Holder ($19.99+) has tool storage drop-in slots with magnetic backers, tool hang hooks on either end and lure storage perimeter holds for hanging baits.

The SmartHub Line Spooler ($24.99) makes it easy to spool reels with fresh line.

Other popular picks are the SmartHub Track System 16 ($29.99), SmartHub Rattle Reel ($44.99), SmartHub Rod Holder ($22.99) and SmartHub Clamp Mount ($19.99).

Rapala’s legendary fillet knives always make great gifts. With plenty of options to choose from, there’s a perfect Rapala knife for every angler. Three to consider for those needing inspiration are the Fish ’n Fillet Knife ($28.99+), Presentation Fillet Knife ($48.99+) and Soft Grip Fillet Knife ($25.99+). Don’t forget to include a Fillet Glove ($29.99) for added finger and hand protection, and a Two-Stage Ceramic Sharpener ($6.99) for quick touch ups.

Mag Spring Pliers ($45.99+) feature a patent pending Mag-Spring system that keeps pliers open and ready. This lets anglers use the pliers with gloved hands for fast hook removal and to help prevent cold fingers at bay.

If you’ve got an angler on your shopping list who loves ice fishing for lake trout, northern pike, trophy walleye and other big fish, then the 40” medium and medium-heavy Infrared ice rods ($48.99) will be great gifts. Rugged and responsive, these fibreglass rods feature a screw-in Evolve Custom Reel Seat and stainless steel guides.

You can never go wrong giving an ice angler warm outerwear. The13 Fishing Full Moose Beanie ($29.99), and StrikeMaster’s Light-Weight and Mid-Weight gloves ($49.99) are good picks in this price category.

It’s hard to beat the practical utility of a warm, comfortable hoodie as a gift for ice anglers. Rapala’s Hooded Performance Sweatshirt ($79.99) and Rapala's Hooded Sweatshirt ($89.99)check these important boxes and are stylish to boot. 

No matter their favourite type of hard-water adventure, 13 Fishing has a rod and reel setup perfect for the ice angler on your holiday shopping list. A few can’t-miss options include:

Best Bang For The Buck: Blackout Ice Combos ($64.99)

All-Round, Quality Combos: Snitch Pro Combo ($114.99) and Wicked Ice Hornet Ice Combos ($124.99)

High-End Inline Reel Combo: FreeFall Ghost/Fate V3 Combo ($179.99)

Power Predator Combo: Omen FreeFall XL Combo ($219.99)

For more details and other gift ideas, check out this blog for a detailed rundown on new and noteworthy offerings.

The 2024 FreeFall Special Edition Trick Shop Ice Fishing Reel ($219.99+) has a carbon fibre frame combined with an ultra-responsive FreeFall trigger mechanism — plus all of 13 Fishing’s most advanced inline reel tech. Killer aesthetics, too, courtesy of its unique Trick Shop Spool, Star Drag and Handle components.

The FreeFall Ghost Aluminum Reel ($134.99) is an incredibly light, smooth inline reel perfect for discerning ice anglers. The aluminum spool enables “fast drops” with light lures, and the ultra-smooth competition drag system helps fish stay hooked.

Inspired by the pursuit of trophy fish, the medium and medium-light Wicked Pro ice rods ($89.99) are the perfect two-rod system for catching trophy pike, lake trout, walleye, whitefish, yellow perch and crappie. Exclusive to Canada, these 38” ice rods have a custom-tuned blank, long fighting butt for added control, Custom Evolve Reel Seat with Soft Touch Finish designed for holding a large spinning reel.

The 47” Wicked Deadstick XL medium and medium-heavy rods ($79.99) are specialized tools for live minnow and dead-bait presentations. Outfitted with a sensitive, limber tip and plenty of backbone, these technique-specific rods will strike a cord for anglers fond of catching walleye, pike, lake trout, burbot and other predators.

Longtime fan favourites, the overhauled Tickle Stick Ice Rods ($84.99) now feature better  ergonomics, balance, sensitivity and durability thanks to adjustments to the Custom Evolve Reel Seat and handle materials. Remaining are PC2 Flat Tip Blank Construction and Hi-Vis Tip features, which give these rods their famous jigging precision, durability and off-the-charts sensitivity.

This multifunctional Chair Pack ($84.99) delivers a lot of utility on the ice. With a 30L capacity and front and side pockets, the backpack will hold plenty of ice fishing gear and other items. Fold-away seat easily deploys when it’s time to fish. A great gift for any ice angler. 

Unboxing any of the R12 Series fishing accessories will bring a smile to the face of any angler this holiday season. The collection includes the R12 Heavy-Duty Lithium Fillet Knife ($199.99), R12 Lithium Spotlight Lantern ($84.99) and R12 Lithium Aerator ($84.99) — all of which are powered using the same Lithium ION 2Ah battery. 

Modernize your favourite ice angler’s outerwear with StrikeMaster’s performance hard-water collection, which includes the Surface Jacket ($349.99) and Surface Bibs ($349.99), as well as the Pro Jacket ($424.99) and Pro Bibs ($424.99). All garments feature SOS Flotation Technology for enhanced safety, plus plenty of thermal, comfort and ice-fishing specific benefits sure to be a hit with any ice angler.

The Pro Lithium 40V Lite ($949.99+) is the best electric ice fishing drill and is guaranteed to be a show-stopper of a holiday gift. Embodying StrikeMaster’s industry-leading ice auger innovation and the many advantages of lithium battery technology, the 40V Lite is powerful, rugged and quiet. Comes standard with a Lite-Flite Magnetic Snap Cover, designed for hand-free push-in attachment and foot pads for easy detachment. 

The award-winning Lithium 24V Auger ($629.99+) is ideal for anglers who like to move and cover a lot of ground when ice fishing. Ultra-light, compact and a peak performer — the 6” Lithium 24V weighs only 13.3-pounds, the 8” 14.3-pounds.

For those who fish for giant walleye, huge pike and epic-sized lake trout, and already happen to own a StrikeMaster Lithium 40V powerhead, the recently released Lazer Lite 10” Drill Unit ($324.99) is a great gift option, and just happens to be the lightest 10” drill assembly on the market.

The above are just a few gift ideas to consider when shopping for your favourite ice angler this holiday season. Be sure to visit and shop at Rapala.ca during Black Friday week, starting November 22nd. We’ll have featured gifts with purchases, lower shipping thresholds and hundreds of products with savings of up to 60% off!