The Ultimate Guide To The Best Ice Fishing Lines
There are many reasons to choose the best ice fishing lines but based on my expereince, 90 percent of anglers all use the same ice fishing lines. They use them because they are proven to work with less of the issues that can happen with ice fishing.
The best lines for ice fishing are lines that are virtually invisible while in the water, don’t freeze, don’t coil or become stiff, and are sensitive for subtle strikes. For bigger fish, ice lines that ar eabrasion resistant are also required.
I live in an area known as the ice fishing capital of the world, and the lake looks like a mini city on the oce every winter, so after talking to hundreds of anglers and some ice guides, these are my recommendations for the best ice fishing lines.
The Top 3 Best Ice Fishing Lines
After extensive research both on and off the water, or should I say “ice” this is my list of the best ice fishing lines. Choose the line that best suits your needs.
- Best Mono Ice Line: Berkley Trilene Micro Ice Monofilament Ice Line – Most popular mono line – very good ratings, lots of line sizes for small to large fish.
- Best Braided Ice Line: Sufix 832 Advanced Ice Braid – Most popular braided line for ice fishing with many good reviews.Thinner with improved sensitivity. No freezing, no line twisting, and very strong.
- Best Fluorocarbon Ice Line: Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Ice Line – Most popular fluorocarbon ice fishing line. Anglers find it to be supple, strong, small in diameter, wears well, sinks fast, and is invisible to fish. 2 to 4 pounds is most preferred. Some angler claim the heavier lines twist.
Specialty Lines For Ice Fishing:
- Best Leader Ice Line: Seaguar Blue Label – Best for small and large fish when a leader is required.
- Best Tip-Up Line – Celsius Tip-Up Line – This is one of the most popular tip-up lines.
Other ice fishing lines to consider:
- Clam CPT Frost Monofilament – Very popular mono for panfish, featuring low visibility, good strenth, and abrasion resistance.
- PowerPro Ice-Tech Braided Fishing Line – A good Spectra-braid ice line with plenty of good reviews. Blue ice color.
- Seaguar’s Fluorocarbon Ice Line
- Berkley Fireline Micro Ice Fused
- Celsius Tip Up Line
You have three options for ice fishing line. Those are monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided line. Each has its advantages over the others, and all three are proven to work well when fishing through the ice.
I’ll othen have two reels with different lines or atleast an extra spool mixed in with all my ice fishing gear.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Ice Fishing Line
The most important factor to take into account is the fish you are trying to catch. Panfish do not require a heavy line, which makes a very light line of about 2-pound test ideal for panfish, yellow perch, and other smaller fish.
The bigger the fish you are targeting, the heavier and stronger the fishing line that you should use. The same generally is true of water depth – the deeper the water, the stronger the line should be to better handle the typically bigger fish at greater depths.
Visibility: The role of line visibility in successful ice fishing
Visibility plays an important role in ice fishing because lures and baits are stationary and the fish have plenty of time to move in slowly and investigate. Fish are less apt to bite when the line is highly visible. Be sure to check out the Best Baits For Ice Fishing article after this.
Fluorocarbon and monofilament lines generally are the best at staying hidden while in the water. You also can match the mono line color to the water color for better results.
Line Memory and Coiling Effects: How line memory can impact fishing and lure response
You don’t want any slack in your fishing line while ice fishing – especially when targeting lightly biting panfish.
A coiled line puts slack in the line, and that slack could make it impossible to detect a nibble from a panfish that is lightly biting the lure or bait. Line memory or coils are more prone to tangles, which you don’t want to deal with when your fingers are cold.
Braided line has virtually no line memory, while monofilament and fluorocarbon have significantly more.
Stretch and Sensitivity: The balance between line stretch and bite detection
Line stretch and sensitivity affect how well you can detect bites on your line while ice fishing. The less stretch your line has, the easier it will be to detect subtle bites.
Unfortunately, less stretch also makes it easier for a hard-fighting fish to break the line and get away. Monofilament has the most stretch while fluorocarbon and braided line give you more sensitivity.
Fluorocarbon line is a good compromise between monofilament and braided line for ice fishing.
Abrasion Resistance and Durability: Importance of a durable line in harsh ice fishing conditions
Chances are your line is going to rub the edges of the hole in the ice when battling a hard-fighting fish which can put a lot of wear and tear on your ice fishing line. The ice might have sharp edges, or the line might dig a small channel in the ice that holds it in place while a fish is fighting to get free as your reel in your line.
Durability and abrasion resistance are very important to help ensure the line won’t break or be damaged while you are trying to bring a fish through the hole.
Fluorocarbon is the best for being abrasion resistant.
Water Absorption and Freezing Prevention: How different lines react to cold and wet conditions
Some fishing lines gradually absorb water when immersed in a lake for a long period of time and then when exposed to freezing air they can freeze up, become stiff, or even cause your rod guides to accumulate more ice.
Many braided lines that are not designed for ice fishing do this a lot and should be avoided.
Price and Value for Money: Investing in quality vs. saving on cost
You shouldn’t go cheap when it comes to ice fishing line.
What you save on money could cost you in lures and hooks if you line breaks due to abrasion along the ridges created by the top or bottom of the ice fishing hole. You also might not be able to pull in a bigger fish that might take your bait, lure, or ice fly.
Cheaper lines tend to be thicker, weaker, less sensitive, more likely to coil and put slack in the line between the tip of your ice rod and the hook.
Deep Dive into Ice Fishing Line Types
Monofilament: The Versatile Choice
Monofilament is the best ice fishing line for all-around use. It resists abrasion, has some stretch to it, and doesn’t require a leader. You get good sensitivity and can choose the ideal strength rating based on the type of fish you intend to catch. Monofilament also tends to be more affordable than braided or fluorocarbon ice fishing lines.
Fluorocarbon: The Invisible Leader
Fluorocarbon is the best line for making leaders because it is very strong, has very little stretch, and is virtually invisible while underwater.
Hwever, many anglers love using fluorocarbon as the main line. You can spool an entire reel with fluorocarbon and get great results. The line is durable and has better sensitivity than monofilament ice fishing lines.
The downside, especially with cheaper fluorcarbon lines is they can become stiff, coil, and jump off the spool whenit gets really cold.
Braid: The Sensitivity Specialist
Braided ice fishing line is very strong and doesn’t stretch, which makes it the most sensitive line for detecting the often subtle strikes and bites that occur in the frigid winter waters.
The best braided ice fishing lines resist water absorption and have no memory, so there is no slack between the rod tip and your presentation down at the hook.
Expert Recommendations and Reviews
The following is a closer look at the top brands and their standout ice fishing lines that you can use to give yourself the best chance of success on each ice fishing trip.
Matching up the best line for the type of fishing that you have in mind will give you the best value and return on your ice fishing line investment.
Comparison of Popular Fishing Lines/Leaders For Ice Fishing
After talking to hundred of ice anglers, these are the most used and recommended lines for ice fishing.
1. Berkley Trilene Micro Ice: Most Popular Monofilament Ice Fishing Line
- Prefered by anglers for catching finicky fish in ultra-clear water.
- One of the smallest and strongest monofilament lines designed for ice fishing.
- The low-stretch design improves lure control and increases sensitivity for faster hooksets.
- This line is soft, pliable, and resistant to kinks and coiling in cold ice fishing conditions.
- The small diameter is perfect for using small baits, yet it is strong enough to pull a large fish through the ice.
- The line is durable and long-lasting.
- Its low visibility allows the line to blend in with clear water, making it less noticeable to fish.
2. Best Braided Line For Ice Fishing: Sufix 832 Advanced Ice Braid
Sufix is a terrific manufacturer of all types of fishing lines, and its 832 Advanced Ice Braid might be the best braided ice fishing line on the market.
It has a tight weave and a hydrophobic protector that repels water and minimizes water retention. The line resists freezing in the extremely cold air that makes ice fishing possible.
3. Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Ice Line
- Designed with a special cold weather formula for improved high impact strength, ensuring durability while ice fishing.
- Excellent manageability in cold conditions.
- Best line for stealthy presentations and virtual invisibility under water.
- The small diameter of the line aids in a low-profile setup.
- It has lower stretch, which improves the sensitivity of the line, making it easier to detect light bites.
Best Leader: Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader
Many angler use leaders especially when using the more visable braided lines. Fluorocarbon leader generally is regarded as the best fishing line to make leaders because it has very little stretch and is the lowest visibility when underwater.
The Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader is the best ice fishing line to make leaders for catching lake trout, pike, and other larger species through the ice.
It’s 100 percent fluorocarbon and has the added advantage of being non-absorbent, which stops it from freezing when exposed to the cold air. For toothy fish, 50 pound is as low as I would go and your still risk breaking the odd fish off.
Clam CPT Frost Monofilament
The Clam CPT Frost Monofilament is the best fishing line for panfish because it has very low visibility in virtually all water conditions.
It also has good strength that enables it to hold up against the potentially sharp or rough edges of the ice. Monofilament also gives you some stretch that helps you pull in a fish that might exceed the line’s test strength.
PowerPro Ice Tec Braided Fishing Line
Braided ice fishing lines have no stretch to them and are very sensitive when a fish takes an interest in your bait, fly, or lure.
The PowerPro Ice Tec braided line gives you the added benefit of being abrasion-resistant, which sets it apart from most braided lines that aren’t.
The braided line also has very low memory, so it’s not going to coil up or put slack between the tip of your ice rod and the hook. The PowerPro is one of the best ice fishing lines for catching walleye and pike through the ice.
Seaguar’s ICEX Fluorocarbon Ice Line
Seaguar’s Fluorocarbon Ice Line is heavier than monofilament or braided line and sinks faster so your bait, lure, or ice fly reaches the preferred depth faster. The line is virtually invisible to fish and won’t scare them off. You get a better bite transmission so you can set the hook and catch fish more often.
Berkley Fireline Micro Ice Fused
Berkley’s Fireline Micro Ice Fused line gives you the strength of a braided line with the durability of monofilament. The line has a very thin diameter that makes it ideal for lure action and feeling strikes or even subtle bites from fish.
The line is superbly sensitive and one of the best ice fishing lines for panfish. You also can put more on your reel due to its thin profile, which makes heavier versions better for lake trout and other fish that you might catch in deeper water.
Best Tip-Up Line: Celsius Tip-Up Line
Celsius engineered its Tip-Up line for ice fishing tip-ups that don’t have the benefit of a rod or drag system that absorbs energy from a big fish and wears it down.
Instead, the Tip-Up line has very high strength and durability so you can set the hook and bring the fish to the hole with your hands or by backing up with the tip-up.
The best ice fishing line for tip-ups resists freezing and tangling, which often happens when other tip-up lines are out of the water after catching a fish.
| Fishing Line/Leader | Features/Benefits |
|---|---|
| Clam CPT Frost Monofilament |
– Best for Panfish – Good strength and handling – Low visibility underwater |
| PowerPro Braided Fishing Line |
– Best for Walleye and Pike – No-stretch for high sensitivity – Abrasion-resistant – Low memory attributes |
| Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader |
– Best for Fluoro Leaders – 100% fluorocarbon – Lowest visibility underwater – Non-absorbent, reducing line freezing |
| Cabela’s Prestige Braided Dacron |
– Best for Tip-Ups – Durable and strong – Suitable for colder conditions |
| Sufix 832 Advanced Ice Braid |
– Minimized water retention – Tight weave and hydrophobic water-repellent protection – Resists freezing in extreme cold |
| Seaguar’s Fluorocarbon Ice Line |
– Nearly invisible to fish – Less stretch than mono, better bite transmission – Sinks faster (heavier) |
| Berkley Fireline Micro Ice Fused |
– Combines benefits of braid and fused lines – Thin diameter for better lure action – Superb sensitivity |
| Celsius Tip Up Line |
– Specifically designed for tip-up ice fishing – High strength and durability – Resistant to freezing and tangling |
The Best Ice Fishing Lines Q&A
The right ice fishing line will improve your catch and your expereince. If you have a question or recommendation, let us know in the comment section below.
Tight Lines
Graham
