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Ice Jigs & Plastics: Building a Northwoods Starter Box
Short answer: A starter ice box needs small tungsten and lead panfish jigs, a few styles of ice plastics, a couple of perch and walleye spoons, one or two rattle baits, light leader, and a small UV light for glow lures. Buy by job, not by brand.
You don't need 400 jigs. This is roughly what I'd tell a friend to put in a box before their first trip on a U.P. lake. It's sorted by job, not brand, so you can fill it at whatever shop is closest.
1. Small panfish jigs (tungsten and lead)
Tungsten is much denser than lead, so a tungsten jig is smaller for the same weight. It drops faster and shows up better on a flasher. It costs more. Lead is fine in shallow water and for the kids. Carry a few sizes and two or three colors: something natural, something glow, and something with a little red.
2. Plastics for those jigs
Ice plastics are tiny and they move with almost no rod input. Common styles:
- Micro tails and "noodles": quiver on a dead stick. Good for fussy crappies.
- Spike / maggot imitations: stand in for live spikes. Good for bluegills.
- Small minnow / shad bodies: bulk up the profile for perch and crappies.
- Durable elastomer plastics (Z-Man ElaZtech, for example): last through dozens of fish, but don't store them touching other plastics. They can react with standard PVC plastic.
Brands you'll see in Upper Midwest shops include Maki, Bait Rigs, Clam, Lindy, Berkley, Z-Man and Macula Tackle, which I'm involved with (see below).
3. Spoons for walleye and perch
A couple of small flutter or jigging spoons for perch, and a few heavier ones for walleye at dusk. Tip them with a minnow head. Glow finishes help in low light. Charge them with a small UV light.
4. Rattle baits and lipless jigging baits
Aggressive "call 'em in" lures. Pound one hard to draw fish in on the flasher, then switch to a deadstick or a smaller spoon if they won't commit.
5. The little stuff
- Fluorocarbon or nylon leader in light pound-tests for panfish
- Small snap or loop knot. Don't use a heavy swivel on micro jigs.
- Hook file, split shot, a bobber for a deadstick, and a small UV light
Where to shop
Featured brand disclosure: Ice Fish Deals' owner is involved with Macula Tackle. Macula is shown in a clearly labeled featured slot and is not ranked against other brands. See Macula Tackle.
Related guides
- Thermal Tip-Ups: HT Polar Therm vs Polar Therm Extreme
- Float Suits for Ice Fishing: Striker Climate vs Clam Rise V3
- Ice Rods & Reels: Building a Panfish and Walleye Setup
- Panfish Plastics for Ice Fishing: Styles, Colors and Rigging
Written by Cory Arnold, Iron County, Michigan. Specs checked October 2026.
Heads up: Ice Fish Deals may earn a commission from links on this site at no cost to you. Prices shown come from my price scanner and are accurate only as of the time stamped next to them. Prices change, so confirm at the store before you buy. Disclosure