A one-size-fits-all approach does not work when it comes to picking an ice fishing line. For pike, you will want a heavier line while for finicky panfish you will want a lighter line such as 2-pound test. Some lines are even specially designed to handle cold weather and freeze less.
In the article below, you’ll learn about the 20 best ice fishing lines on the market. The sections are split up by the type of fish targeted and the features that you are looking for.
Most Affordable & Versatile: 4 Pound Mono
It’s hard to beat the universe appeal of the 4-pound monofilament line. It’s affordable and will help you successfully land a wide variety of species including bass, panfish, and even the occasional pike.
Trilene Micro Ice
- Color: Clear Steel
- Length of Spool: 110 yards
- Also available in 2-8 pound test
- For the current price click here
From the most recognizable names in fishing comes a practical choice for ice anglers of all skill levels. This 4-pound test line is among the more affordable and versatile. The clear steel color helps keep the line less visible, even in clear-water lakes.
Sufix Advance Mono
- Color: Clear
- Length of Spool: 100 yards
- Also available in 2, 6, 8-pound test
- For the current price click here
For those unfamiliar, Sufix is a brand of fishing line produced by fishing stalwart Rapala. The Advance line is made of a specially selected combination of polyethylene and a Hyper CoPolymer. Rapala’s goal with this was to produce a monofilament that is extra abrasion resistant, supple, and sensitive to bites.
SF X-Strong
- Color: Clear
- Length of Spool: 330 yards
- Also available in 3,6, 8 pound
- For the current price click here
This is certainly one of the better values. You receive over 330 yards of line for a reasonable price, which should be enough to last you most of the season and then some. X-Strong line also includes some special additives that are designed to block icing.
For Finicky Panfish: Ultrasensitive Line
When fishing for finicky panfish such as crappies, then light tackle is critical. You’ll simply feel bites much easier, which will lead to more productive outings. It’s also not necessary to go with a heavy line since most panfishing is done in relatively shallow water.
For deeper panfish (such as basin crappie in 20+ feet of water) you may consider fluorocarbon because it does sink faster.
Sufix Ice Magic
- 2-pound line
- Color: Clear
- Length of Spool: Either 100 or 300 yards
- For the current price click here
This line is designed to have low memory and resistance to ice build-up. This is the result of Rapala’s special engineering with additives designed to prevent two of the most frustrating hindrances for bite detection. You also have the convenient choice to choose a 300-yard line spool.
Reaction Tackle Ice Monofilament
- 2-pound line
- Color: Clear, Hi-Vis Green, Neon Orange, or Pink
- Length of Spool: 1000 yards
- For the current price click here
There aren’t many ice fishing lines that come in 1000-yard spools, which may be enough to last you through several seasons. This 2-pound line also comes in many different color options, including a hi-vis green. Reaction tackle line is also a nylon line, which is a material known for its affordability but also for being sensitive to damage from UV light.
Berkley Micro Ice
- 2-pound line
- Color: Clear
- Length of spool: 100 yards
- For the current price click here
The 2-pound Berkley Micro Mice is a true ice fishing classic. It’s affordable and the brand overall is reputable for producing quality products. This 2-pound line is ideal for finessing crappie and bluegill.
Fewer Pike Offs with Braided Line
Pike are notorious for breaking off lines right before they can be landed. Anyone who has successfully brought in a pike on 4 lb. mono can attest to the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with worrying that you are about to lose the fish.
For targeting pike, you are encouraged to tie on either a braided line or mono line with a braided leader. Bite-offs should be much less of a frequent occurrence if you employ this strategy.
Some also recommend pairing a heavier line leader (17 pounds) with an 8-pound monofilament line for rod and reel walleye fishing, because it’ll freeze less often.
Sufix Ghost Ice Braid
- Color: Clear
- Length of Spool: 50 yards
- The 6-pound test also comes in 4, 8, and 10
- For the current price click here
The Sufix Ghost Ice Braid is composed of Gore performance fibers. This compound is typically used in applications where abrasion resistance is of utmost importance, including synthetic ropes at construction sites. Ice fishing should offer enhanced durability.
Sufix Performance Ice Braid
- Color: Glacier Blue
- Length of Spool: 75 yards
- 4- 30 pound test
- For the current price click here
The Sufix Performance Ice Braid is designed to shed water and thus prevent ice build-up. The company uses the same material to manufacture its strong tip-up lines, just at a heavier test weight.
Reaction Tackle Ice Braid
- Color: Ice Camo, Ice White, Hi-Vis Yellow
- Length of Spool: 150 yards
- 4-30 pound test
- For the current price click here
Reaction Tackle braided line is crafted with 8 tightly woven polyethylene fibers. This is designed to offer greater strength, durability, and knot integrity. It’s also meant to provide zero memory to eliminate irritating twists and tangles. One of the greatest features is the fact that it’s available in so many test weights, making it ideal for pike fishing.
Aventik Braided- Green
- Color: Green
- Length of Spool: 110 yards
- 2-8 pound test
- For the current price click here
Aventik line is produced to have zero stretch. This should improve sensitivity and make it easy to detect light bites, such as those from walleye. The line is also coated with a waterproof material to minimize ice buildup.
For Deep Water: Fluorocarbon Line Sinks Faster
Ice fishing for trout often occurs in deep water, possibly more than 75 feet. For this type of fishing, you’ll want some line that can sink faster while also being sensitive to lighter bites.
According to the experts, fluorocarbon line sinks at least 3 times faster than monofilament.
Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon
- Color: Clear
- Length of Spool: 200 yards
- 4-pound test
- For the current price click here
What makes this fluoro ice line unique is the strength per diameter. This is a measure of the test pound strength versus the diameter of the line. In this case, the line has a diameter of just 0.007 inches, and yet it yields a test weight of 4 pounds.
Sufix Advance Flouro
- Color: clear
- Length of Spool: 50 yards
- 2-8 pound test
- For the current price click here
The Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon line is produced with Rapala’s Proprietary Gel Phase Technology. This material is designed to sink faster than other fishing lines while also being more sensitive to light bites.
Seaguar IceX
- Color: Clear
- Length of Spool: 50 yards
- 2 – 8 pound test
- For the current price click here
Go stealth mode with the Seaguar IceX Clear Fluorocarbon line. Seaguar’s claim to fame is its microdiameter line. With 2 and 3-pound tests, you only have a diameter of 0.005 inches. Even with the 8-pound test, the diameter is just 0.009 inches. The price is also reasonable when compared against the other fluoro options in this list.
Clam Premium Frost Ice
- Color: Clear
- Length of Spool: 50 or 200 yards
- 4-pound test, also available in 1-8 lb.
- For the current price click here
Clam claims that its line has lower memory than other fluorocarbon lines on the market. It is available in both clear and metered color options and spools of either 50 or 200 yards. Price-wise, it falls within the range of what you would expect for a fluorocarbon line.
For Fishing in Turbid Water Such as Rivers
When you’re fishing in turbid water, such as that of a river, it can be difficult to tell whether your line is completely vertical or not. The ice fishing lines below are either yellow or orange, ideal for fishing in turbid water.
You may even use this line in relatively clear water. According to Northland Jigs, this makes it much easier to detect a bite. When the fish are aggressive, they are often not spooked by the line.
Sufix Ice Magic Neon Orange
- Length of Spool: 50 or 200 yards
- 3-pound test, also available in 1-8 lb.
- For the current price click here
The neon orange should be ideal for fishing in turbid conditions. It’s also helpful that it comes in 1 1-pound test, which will make it great for fishing in shallow water.
Reaction Tackle Yellow
- Length of Spool: 50 or 200 yards
- 4-pound test, also available in 6-30 lb.
- For the current price click here
The Reaction Yellow line is available in a wide range of test weights, including a line that is strong enough to be used for a tip-up at the higher end of that range. The bright yellow is also easy to see, regardless of water clarity.
For Less Ice Build-Up: Hydrophobic Line
You are encouraged to use a hydrophobic line to experience less ice build-up. Fishing in extreme cold, especially outside of a shelter, can often be challenging because of the rapid accumulation of ice on the line. This can make it succulent to detect bites and reel.
Hydrophobic lines are designed to ward off droplets of water. Many anglers report having fewer problems with ice when using this type of line.
Ice-Tec PTFE-Coated Ice Fishing Line
- Color: Ice Blue
- Length of Spool: 50 yards
- 5-pound test, also available in 8,10, or 15 lb.
- For the current price click here
Power Pro Ice-Tec line is coated with Teflon to minimize water retention. Teflon is the same material that is often used in useful everyday items such as non-stick cookware and many types of waterproof clothing. So, you know that it carries a reputation for being effective at warding off ice buildup.
Sufix Invisiline Ice
- Color: Clear
- Length of Spool: 50 yards
- 2-pound test, also available in 3-8 lb.
- For the current price click here
Sufix Invisiline Ice is also coated with a water repellent to help prevent ice buildup. It’s a fluorocarbon line that also is designed with a low stretch index, which will make it easier to set the hook. The price is also reasonable for a specialized product such as this.
Tip-Up Line for Trophy Catches
The tip-up line needs to be stout and sturdy because you never know what kind of monster you may hook into. You could catch a trophy pike or your personal best walleye, perhaps even a 5-pound bass.
Since the line is on a tip-up, there’s also a good possibility that the gamefish will take the bait and run with it, so you need a line that is strong enough to withstand a fight. For this reason, most experts recommend a 20-30 pound line at a minimum.
Sufix Performance Braided
- Color: Black
- Length of Spool: 50 yards
- 20-pound test, also available in 15-50 lb.
- For the current price click here
The Sufix Performance Tip-Up line is a high-tenacity polyester (HTP) braided line designed to offer high abrasion resistance, lower stretch, and a desirable diameter-to-strength ratio. It is also available in many different test weights, ranging from 15-50 pounds.
Beaver Dam Braided Tip-Up Line
- Color: Black
- Length of Spool: 50 yards
- 30-pound test
- For the current price click here
Beaver Dam is one of the most iconic brands in ice fishing. Not only do they offer great tip-ups, but they also manufacture a tip-up line. This line is a super wax line— which means that it has been enhanced by Beaver Dam for greater abrasion resistance and protection against freezing.
Final Thoughts
What is the best ice fishing line? The answer to this question depends on the type of fishing that you are doing. If you are targeting panfish from the heated safety of a heated shelter, then the best line is going to differ a lot from fishing outdoors for pike and walleye.
