A spud bar is most certainly a necessary companion to the ice angler. It allows you to easily test early ice to see that it is safe to walk on. Later in the season, you can conserve your auger blades by breaking open lightly-frozen holes in the ice. It’s also one of the more affordable pieces of ice fishing equipment you could purchase.
In the article below, you’ll be guided through a list of the 18 best spud bars/chisels for ice fishing. Included among the ice fishing chisels are products that can serve multiple uses around the home, as you’ll see.
Best Spud Bars/Chisels for Ice Fishing
What’s the difference between a spud bar and an ice chisel? Well, the truth is that the terms are used interchangeably. What most people refer to as a “spud bar” is often listed in the store as an “ice chisel” (take the angler in this how-to video as an example).
Spud bars allow you to safely check the thickness of the ice, but it’s important to use one with a sharp-toothed end and that you know how to use it correctly. Please refer to this article for more guidance on how to use one of these correctly.
In the meantime, we’ve included a list of the most reputable spud bars on the market.
Eskimo Triple-Action Chipper Head CH11 & CH12
| CH11 | CH12 | |
| 59.5” | Length | 64” |
| 7 lbs. | Weight | 10 lbs. |
| Foam Grip | Handle Material | Foam Grip |
| Alloy Steel | Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Click Here | Current Price | Click Here |
The Eskimo CH12 and CH11 are identical, besides the fact that the CH12 is about 5 inches longer, which is perfect for those of you shopping in the “big and tall” section.
The foam handle is an upgrade over spud bars that are cold, hard steel from top to bottom. Another nice feature is the tether rope at the top. This is also a 2-piece chisel, so it’s easy to stow away during travel.
Thunderbay Heavy Duty Steel Chisel- 2 Piece
| Length | 64” |
| Weight | 8.14 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Rubber |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
Similar to the Eskimo, the Thunderbay is a two-piece chisel. One thing that sets it apart is the price. It is definitely on the more affordable side for a spud bar of this size with a foam handle. The bright red paint should also make it easy to keep track of out on the ice.
Jiffy 3541 Mini Mille Lacs
| Length | 30” |
| Weight | 3 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Plastic |
| Blade Material | Plastic |
| Current Price | Click Here |
This 1-piece chisel is perfect for the angler who is in search of a spud bar that will fit easily within a bucket. The step teeth are ideal for cutting through the ice. If there’s a downside, it’s the fact that it does not have a foam handle or tether rope.
Jiffy Deluxe Mille Lacs Chisel
| Length | 52” |
| Weight | 11.4 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Steel |
| Blade Material | Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
From the reputable Jiffy Brand name comes a full-sized ice chisel. The greatest feature is the ruler along the side of the spud bar. This allows you to easily see the depth of the ice that you are chipping through. Most spud bars do not have a ruler.
The 52″ chisel also comes with a hole at the top through which you can feed a tether rope through. There is also the choice of a longer two-piece ice chisel that is, so you’ll be able to fit the two halves in a 5-gallon bucket.
Jiffy Ice Scout Drill
| Length | 41” |
| Weight | 10 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Steel- Attachment for Cordless Drill |
| Blade Material | Plastic |
| Current Price | Click Here |
This is an attachment for your cordless drill that allows you to easily measure ice thickness. This product is the ultimate companion for the early ice season, allowing you to quickly drill holes as you walk out to test the ice. What’s more, the color patterns on the ruler show red for the danger zone and green for safe ice.
Nims Spud for Ice Fishing
| Length | 54” |
| Handle Material | Steel |
| Blade Material | Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
This Nims Spud is made right in the USA, being manufactured in Michigan. The handle at the top comes with a hole for feeding rope through. The bar itself is sturdy and durable with ½ inch-diameter alloy steel.
One nice feature is the easy-to-grip handle at the top. The bar does not come with a tether rope, but you could easily fit one through the pre-filled hole on the top.
Rapala 2-Piece Chisel
| Length | 62” |
| Weight | 5.7 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Rubber |
| Blade Material | Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The Rapala 2-Piece is fitted with a nice foam handle and a tether loop for a secure grip. The button mechanism that separates the two pieces is simple to use.
Another nice feature is the fact that the two pieces split into nearly equivalent halves. This should make it simple to store the two pieces, and they should fit reasonably comfortably within a 5-gallon bucket.
Eskimo Hammer-Style Ice Chisel
| Length | 19” |
| Weight | 3.4 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Alloy Steel |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
Here’s something a bit out of the ordinary: a chisel with a hammer head on one of the sides. You are sure to find that this multi-use tool comes in handy. The hammer can be used to break open ice or even to help pound in ice anchors.
This spud bar also comes with a long tether rope at the head. This will come in handy for holding the bar securely. The steel design also allows this bar to score high marks in terms of durability.
Trophy Angler Razr-Back Ice Chisel
| Length | 59.5” |
| Handle Material | Rubber |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The Trophy Angler comes equipped with an 8” long dipped comfort handle. The bar itself is constructed with thick alloy steel. The height is suitable for anglers of all sizes.
If there is one downside it’s the fact that this spud bar cannot be separated into two pieces for storage. Some anglers do find this one-piece design preferable, however. This is because it is easy to keep track of the single piece and you do not have to worry about the connecting latch breaking down.
Eskimo Redneck Single-Action Head
| Length | 52.5” |
| Weight | 1 lb. |
| Handle Material | Alloy Steel |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The Eskimo Redneck is the economical choice, coming in at an affordable price when compared to Eskimo’s other chisels. However, it is still very much a functional spud bar with sharp cutting teeth. The big difference is that the bar is not fitted with a comfortable grip handle like the other spud bars in the Eskimo lineup.
Lost Creek 2-Piece Ice Chisel
| Length | 64” |
| Handle Material | Alloy Steel |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The Lost Creek 2-Piece Chisel is one of the most affordable options on this list. The two pieces are held together by a slip fit and locking spring. The steel bar is fitted with an anti-vibration foam grip handle.
This ice chisel is also made of durable allow alloy steel. It’s also one of the most affordable spud bars on the market.
The green paint is unique and should make it easy to distinguish between snow and ice, as well as whatever spud bar your fishing buddies may own.
HT Enterprise 3-Piece Ice Chisel
| Length | 54” |
| Weight | 6 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Wood |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The HT Enterprise Chisel is the only choice on this list that comes in 3 pieces. What is also unique is the wood handle. It’s both aesthetically pleasing and easier to hold versus cold hard steel. The treated wood should also be more durable than rubber.
One nice feature is the carrying bag that this spud bar comes with. This is a bit unusual, as the vast majority of spud bars do not come with their own carrying bag.
Best Sticks for Breaking Open Ice Fishing Holes
Here a “stick” really refers to any sharp tool that is not a spud bar but can be useful for deciding ice safety. They are also useful when it comes to being able to break open a lightly-frozen hole later on in the ice fishing season.
You can sharpen home tools such as these to make good spud bars (with a little bit of elbow grease). Take for example this video where an angler is using a spud bar that was made from a piece of a snow plow.
Truper Bars Tamping Bar
| Length | 69” |
| Weight | 16 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Alloy Steel |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
A tamping tool is typically used to pack down dirt or stones or to help break material that’s hard to dig. Even though tamping tools are not designed specifically for ice, they do come in handy and can serve a dual purpose in your garden and outdoors.
The blade at the end of the tamper is sharp enough to break ice. The Truper Tamper bar is plenty sturdy and comes with a rust-resistant finish. You have the choice between 48-inch and 69-inch models, the latter of which is much taller than most spud bars.
Bully Tools Steel Tamping & Digging Bar
| Length | 61.5” |
| Weight | 11.4 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Alloy Steel |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The Bully Tools Steel Tamping Bar is 100% made in the USA. The commercial-grade construction includes a ⅜” thick head. The steel bar is 1 inch in diameter, which should also make this one of the more durable options on this list.
True Temper Diamond Point Chisel Slate Bar
| Length | 72” |
| Weight | 14 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Alloy Steel |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The True Temper Chisel Slate Bar is the tallest on this list. At 72″ you won’t have to worry about bending over and straining your back while using your spud bar. Suffice it to say, this is a spud bar for the tall boys.
The blade is also 0.75 inches wide, which is ideal for cutting a larger hole out of the ice when you don’t have to use your auger.
Mayhew Select Cold Chisel
| Length | 18” |
| Weight | 2.55 lbs. |
| Handle Material | Alloy Steel |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The Mayhew Select Cold Chisel is perfect if you are in search of a bar that’ll fit entirely within a 5-gallon bucket. The cutting edge is the chisel rather than the stepped teeth seen in most ice fishing spud bars. This chisel won’t add too much weight to your gear, as it tips the scales at 2.55 pounds.
Horusdy 3-Pieces Heavy Duty Cold Chisels Set
| Length | 8”, 10”, 12” |
| Weight | 3.32 lbs. (entire pack) |
| Handle Material | Alloy Steel |
| Blade Material | Alloy Steel |
| Current Price | Click Here |
The Horusdy 3 Piece Set is ideal for tasks where you need to break the ice with precision. Examples could include having to break the ice to get at your tip-up or having to chip away ice when your fishing shelter is stuck to the ice. In those cases, you would not want to use a large spud bar due to the risk of accidentally damaging your gear.
This 3 piece set could also come in handy for tasks around the house, such as having to break up pieces of masonry.
Final Thoughts
For early in the ice fishing season, spud bars are an absolute must-have item. You can test the ice for safety within a matter of seconds rather than having to start up your auger.
There are several different types of ice fishing spud bars. Some of these already come with a ruler painted alongside the bar, which allows you to easily measure the ice thickness. Many of these also come in two pieces, making it easy to stow them away in a 5-gallon bucket when you are not using them.
