Best Ice Fishing Lines in 2023 – Buyer’s Guide
Fishing in freezing temperatures places significant challenges at your feet. You will need specialized gear including rod, reel, ice fishing line, and every other thing. Nevertheless, today we will be speaking about your ice fishing line and how to choose the optimal one from amongst the variety that the market offers today.
In order for you to choose the best ice fishing line, it has to have certain qualities like having low memory, not freezing on you, being abrasion-resistant, moderately visible and of course, quite flexible.
Now, we have scoured the market in order to offer you our top picks for the best ice fishing lines. You cannot go wrong with any of them; however, you might find that one suits you better than the others.
Table of Contents
List of the Best Ice Fishing Lines:
- KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line – Best Braided Ice Fishing Line
- KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line – Best Monofilament Ice Fishing Line
- Reaction Tackle High-Performance Braided Fishing Line – Best Strength
- Piscifun Onyx Braided Fishing Line – Best All Year Round Line
- Berkley Trilene Micro Ice Fishing Line – Best Beginner Ice Fishing Line
- Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Ice Fishing Line – Best Fluorocarbon Ice Fishing Line
- Celsius Tip-Up Line – Best Tip-Up Ice Fishing Line
- Berkley Trilene Cold Weather Ice Fishing Line – Best Flexibility
Best Braided Fishing Lines in 2021 – Buyer’s Guide
Comparison Table:
Ice Fishing Line | Type | Strength | Memory | Yards | |
KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line | Braided | 6-150 lbs. | Low | 327-1097 | |
KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line | Monofilament | 4-30 lbs. | Low | 300-600 | |
Reaction Tackle High-Performance Braided Fishing Line | Braided | 10-200 lbs. | Low | 150-1500 | |
Piscifun Onyx Braided Fishing Line | Braided | 6-150 lbs. | None | 150-547 | |
Berkley Trilene Micro Ice Fishing Line | Monofilament | 2-8 lbs. | Low | 110 | |
Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Ice Fishing Line | Fluorocarbon | 2-6 lbs. | Low | 75 | |
Celsius Tip-Up Line | Tip-Up | 15-20 lbs. | Low | 50 | |
Berkley Trilene Cold Weather Ice Fishing Line | Monofilament | 2-12 lbs. | Low | 110 |
The 8 Best Ice Fishing Lines in 2021
1. KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line – Best Braided Ice Fishing Line
This braided line by KastKing is impressively strong. It is usually made out of 4-8 bulletproof fiber strands that are dynamically incorporated and woven together in order to give you that tough knot strength plus the ability to tie an improved clinch knot.
It has low memory, no stretch, and special proprietary treatment, without a waxy coating. All these factors contribute to its superior sensitivity and accurate allocation of your baits. No matter how stagnant the fish can be, you will be able to sense even the faintest of bites.
This line offers a lot of variety as it can come in 6–150 lbs. weight tests, all of them in possession of impressive abrasion resistance. It also comes in lengths of 327–1097 yards. Additionally, don’t forget that a braided line means a smaller diameter, which allows you to spool more line on your reel.
Furthermore, it boasts several colors awarding you the freedom to choose how visible your line will be. Be aware, though, that some colors might bleed. Unfortunately, it’s quite expensive.
Pros:
- Low memory
- No stretch
- Treated
- Bulletproof fibers
- Thin diameter
- Accurate
- Highly sensitive
Cons:
- Some colors might bleed
- Expensive
Final Verdict
This line offers you everything that you could possibly want in an ice fishing line. It is reliable, durable, sensitive, and versatile. Hence, if money is no problem for you, then we would certainly advise you to go for it, you will not regret this purchase.
2. KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line – Best Monofilament Ice Fishing Line
This monofilament line is also by KastKing. In all honesty, they are one of the pioneers of this industry, their products are always on point, and this one is no different.
It has a variety of weight tests varying between 4 to 30 lbs. All of them are abrasion resistant and have low absorption, which means that your line will not warp, coil, or freeze on you.
It is also versatile in length as it starts at 300 yards and ends at 600 yards. In addition to low memory, all these factors give anglers extreme comfort while fishing vertically in deep waters with freezing weather around them.
Moreover, this line has been made with the Paralleled Roll Track technology, which boosts reel capacity quite a few notches and makes handling the line, as a whole, a lot easier. Lastly, this line comes in several colors while maintaining excellent clarity. The fish will not know what hit it.
Unfortunately, this line could’ve been a lot stronger as several customers have complained of it snapping.
Pros:
- Abrasion-resistant
- Versatile
- Efficient capacity
- Low memory
- Low absorption
Cons:
- Might snap
Final Verdict
This line is a universal favorite and can be used in any environment. It boasts a lot of merits. Yet, we would advise you to go with the highest weight test possible in order to avoid the snapping problem.
Read more about: Best Fluorocarbon Lines
https://outdoorskilled.com/best-fluorocarbon-line
3. Reaction Tackle High-Performance Braided Fishing Line – Best Strength
This braided line here by the Reaction is the epitome of strength. It is made out of 4-8 strands of 100% UHMWPE, which is the world’s strongest fiber.
It is also incredibly accurate and sensitive as it boasts almost zero-stretch, low memory, and a thin diameter. The line is completely coated, allowing it to be perfectly round and smooth, which facilitates handling it a great deal.
This heavy-duty line offers you a variety of weight tests starting at 10 to 200 lbs. It also offers a variety of lengths as it starts at 150 all the way to 1500 yards. Lastly, it comes in a selection of colors; some of them might bleed, though.
Although such complaints have been scarce, some clients have claimed that the line seemed thicker than other lines with the same weight test.
Pros:
- UHMWPE fibers
- Smooth
- Low memory
- Zero stretch
- Round and smooth
- Affordable
Cons:
- A little thick
Final Verdict
This line here is made out of premium quality materials for an affordable price. It brings an impressive package to the table and does not cost you an arm and a leg.
4. Piscifun Onyx Braided Fishing Line – Best All Year Round Line
This braided line by Piscifun is quite the package. The most attractive feature about it is the fact that it can be used all year round. It has the ability to adjust itself to extreme cold and warm temperatures.
It is designed with strong knot strength, which allows it excellent abrasion resistance and sturdiness. Moreover, it’s made out of 4 or 8 high-strength strands, which give fishermen the option of tying solid knots.
The line is entirely covered by epoxy, using a particular technology that offers significant protection to the line. Plus, the epoxy makes it incredibly smooth, allowing it to pass by the sharp edges of the ice hole and cut through the water like a knife slicing through butter.
It has no memory, minimal stretch, and an ultra-thin diameter; these options allow it to be incredibly sensitive and precise, plus it eliminates backlash.
This line is available in weight tests from 6 to 150 lbs. and lengths from 150 to 547 yards. Finally, it comes in a variety of permanent high-quality colors that do not bleed.
The only downside to this line is customers’ complaints of frequent wind knots, which can be a pain to untangle.
Pros:
- All year round line
- No memory
- Low stretch
- Sensitive
- Strong
- Versatile
Cons:
- Frequent wind knots
Final Verdict
This line is a true investment. The fact that it can be used during any season is definitely an advantage. Still, that’s not its only merit; it is fully suitable for ice fishing as it is incredibly durable, sensitive, and versatile.
Best Fly Fishing Lines in 2021 – Buyer’s Guide
5. Berkley Trilene Micro Ice Fishing Line – Best Beginner Ice Fishing Line
This monofilament line is designed by Berkeley for the sole purpose of ice fishing. Every thought that went into its construction revolved around extreme temperatures and how it can be tweaked and tailored to suit the sharp edges of ice holes, the weather, the wind, the stagnant fish, the vertical fishing position, and every other condition that you might face when you are practicing ice fishing.
It’s made out of premium mono that’s way sturdier than the regular one with a thin diameter and low stretch. This allows it to get through the depths of the water, lift the fish, and come out as sleekly as possible.
Although it cannot be an equal to braided line, it will not disappoint you. It absorbs very little water. Therefore, it does not freeze on you and has low memory. Moreover, it comes in a medium green color that has the same visibility of clear monofilament.
It can lift between 2 to 8 lbs. and has a length of 110 yards. This line is a basic one that will help you find your way around ice fishing. It gives you exactly what you need so that you can evolve.
Pros:
- Strong
- Low stretch
- Affordable
- Simple
Cons:
- Maximum lift is 8 lbs.
Final Verdict
This line is the ultimate line for beginners and amateurs. It is simple yet perfectly suited for ice fishing. So, if you’re just starting with ice fishing or trying to teach your child, this line would be perfect for you.
6. Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Ice Fishing Line – Best Fluorocarbon Ice Fishing Line
This is the only fluorocarbon line present on our list. The reason why fluorocarbon lines are not that popular for ice fishing is the fact that they have high memory. Hence, along with the freezing conditions, untangling the line and getting it to work smoothly is next to impossible.
Nonetheless, Berkeley has overcome this obstacle by designing this line especially for ice fishing. They made it have low memory by improving memory properties.
Moreover, it enjoys a thin diameter, low stretch, and excellent invisibility, which allows the line to be extremely sensitive to fish. They do not see the line; they only see a clear bait. You will even feel the slightest nibbles on it, and therefore you can act rather fast.
It supports weights from 2 to 6 lbs. and has a length of 75 yards. Unfortunately, people have complained of frequent tangles and twists.
Pros:
- Low memory
- Great invisibility
- Low stretch
- Easy to handle
- Strong
- Affordable
Cons:
- Tangles easily
- 2-6 lbs. only
Final Verdict
This line has been optimized for ice fishing. It is fluorocarbon, so it will sink quite fast, and therefore it is perfect for deep water.
7. Celsius Tip-Up Line – Best Tip-Up Ice Fishing Line
If your preference is tip-up lines or you would like to try your hand at setting some tip-up traps, then the Celsius tip-up line would be perfect for you. A tip-up line is an advanced braided one.
This one is made out of nylon fibers in order to grant enough strength and abrasion resistance to withstand the conditions of ice fishing. It boasts low memory, has almost no stress, does not freeze on you and has excellent flexibility
There’s hardly anything wrong with this black line. It blows a variety of weight tests from 15 to 20 lbs. and comes in a spool of 50 yards.
Nevertheless, some clients have received their product wholly frayed. Since this was not the case with every client, not even the majority of them, then these cases were due to quality control problems.
Read more about: Best Monofilament Lines
Pros:
- Strong
- Low memory
- No stretch
- Flexible
- Affordable
Cons:
- Quality control
Final Verdict
This line is one of the best tip-up lines available that you can use for ice fishing. There’s hardly anything wrong with it, and it is quite affordable, so having it in your fishing gearbox will never harm. Actually, we are sure that you’ll find yourself grabbing for this line more than you thought you would.
8. Berkley Trilene Cold Weather Ice Fishing Line – Best Flexibility
This monofilament line is all about flexibility. It gives you the feeling of a typical fishing line on a summer day. Moreover, it is highly resistant to abrasion, has low memory, and has been designed with a blue hue around it for your visibility.
It is highly efficient and can easily dive into the water, catch your fish, and lift it. It can handle weights between 2-12 lbs. and comes in a spool of 110 yards. It also comes in two varieties, which are the gold and the clear one.
The clear one is great; no one has complained about it. However, the gold one has a reputation for spooking the fish away, and that costs fishermen their catches.
Pros:
- Flexible
- Abrasion-resistant
- Low memory
- Great visibility
- Affordable
Cons:
- 3-10 lbs.
- Gold line spooks the fish
Final Verdict
This line is focused on giving you the most comfortable experience possible. It is highly manageable and works on making up for the lost mobility of your own hands due to the extreme cold. Still, we would advise you to go for the clear line rather than the gold one.
Why Opt for a Specific Ice Fishing Line Rather than Using Your Normal One
You need a line that withstands vertical fishing in extreme cold, is flexible yet reliable, maximizes your catch, and has no memory. An ordinary line will not have all these features, or rather, will not have them all together.
Furthermore, do not forget that the fishing spots in cold environments are quite rough. The sharp edges of ice holes can easily tear through your line and cause you the loss of your line along with the catch. So, a tough ice fishing line is a must here.
Best Bass Lines in 2021 – Buyer’s Guide
How to Pick an Ice Fishing Line
Now that we have walked you through our eight top picks for the best ice fishing lines on the market today, we will try to break down the basics upon which we have made our decisions. These are the basics that you should keep in mind when searching for an ice fishing line.
1. Type
Since cold weather dictates lines that enjoy different, more advanced characteristics, companies have strived to create lines that have the same basis as the summer lines. However, they enjoy a much tougher nature.
Monofilament
This is the line that everybody has. It does not need a certain level of experience; it works just the same with both beginners and advanced anglers. Moreover, it is quite affordable and has medium visibility, which means that it’s great for fishing clear water.
It has high stretch and low memory, so it will not coil and kink, disrupting your fishing adventure. It is a robust, reliable line that sinks slowly to give you complete control over the entire process.
Lastly, the only downside to this basic line is the fact that it’s not abrasion resistant, which means that you will find yourself replacing it frequently.
Braided
This ice fishing line is woven in a certain way as to make it ultimately thin, yet incredibly strong. It has zero stretch, skyrocketing sensitivity, and low memory. This line is highly visible and is best used when fishing in deep water.
However, the downsides here include the fact that it is quite expensive, absorbs moisture, and therefore liable to ice buildup and freezing, making it a lot harder to manage.
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon is completely invisible and, therefore, perfect to use in clear water or with finicky fish. It is also incredibly sensitive and thus maximizes your gain. It sinks readily four times faster than other ice fishing lines. Consequently, it delivers your bait deep down in no time, and it enjoys a low stretch.
The downsides here include the fact that it is expensive and has high memory; therefore, it gets kinky and wiry quite fast
Tip-Up
The Tip-Up line is an advanced variety of braided line. Companies have tried to treat the water absorption problem and make the line smoother when it comes off the spool and less prone to kinks and ice buildup.
Copolymer
This ice fishing line will be your best friend when fishing in freezing temperatures. It is highly abrasion resistant, does not absorb water, has impressive sensitivity to bites, and enjoys low memory. Therefore relieving you from the trouble of a bent line.
Copolymer is a sort of a middle ground between fluorocarbon and monofilament ice fishing lines as it has low visibility and a thin diameter.
Read more about: Best Trout Fishing Lines
2. Strength
Your ice fishing line must be incredibly strong due to two main reasons. The first is that it will be up against the sharp edges of ice holes, which can easily cut through the best of lines. Hence, superior abrasion resistance is a must.
The second reason would be the vertical fishing position. Your line has to be strong enough to pull out a hefty catch in this position. Always make sure that your line is made out of premium-quality fibers and woven as tight as possible for maximum sturdiness.
3. Weight
The weight test for ice fishing lines is done either in pounds or kilograms and simply means how much it will be able to lift out of the water. You should choose this specific feature based on two variables.
The first being your other fishing gear such as your reel and rod and what they can work with. You will find these specifications either engraved on your gear if it is top-notch or included in the manuals.
The second variable will be the target species. You have to know what you are fishing for and the range of its weight. If you have an 8 lbs. line and you try to lift a 20 lbs. fish, your line will snap, and it might take your rod along with it.
4. Line Memory
Line memory means that the line retains the shape that it has been in. So, if your line is wrapped around the spool for a long time, it will be coiled and wiry, which’s why a little memory is exemplary for fishing lines in general and ice fishing lines in specific. If the line memory is too high and your line is stuck in a certain shape, you might have to throw it out.
5. Sensitivity
Braided line is the highest on our sensitivity scale while fluorocarbon is an excellent runner up for it. Why should your line be sensitive? Simply, due to the fact that cold weather inhibits fish; their movement becomes a lot slower and unnoticeable. Consequently, you need to feel every subtle movement if you want to catch anything.
6. Invisibility Vs. Color
It’s a hard balance to strike. You need to be able to see your line in order to improve your chances of scoring. You can do that by opting for a neon-colored line so that you can easily spot its movements.
Nevertheless, you need the line to be invisible to the fish in order not to spook them away. Fluorocarbon is our best bet when it comes to this point.
7. Extreme Weather Tolerance
You will be fishing in extreme cold. Surely, you need a line that can tolerate that without failing you. A regular line will warp, coil, seize-up, and snap-on you as it wasn’t designed for such exposure. Ice fishing lines are designed with certain fibers that are woven, particularly to withstand the cold. They must be coated with anti-freeze and water repellant as well.
Frequently Asked Questions:
We tried to gather and answer the logical most common questions that would pop-up in your mind when you are looking for the best ice fishing line.
Can You Use Fluorocarbon for Ice Fishing?
The only downside to fluorocarbon ice fishing lines would have to be their high memory, which makes them liable to coiling in frigid conditions. Other than that, fluorocarbon is the perfect ice fishing line.
It is in possession of excellent abrasion-resistance. Its slow stretch allows it to be extremely sensitive, and therefore its bite-detection is superior. Furthermore, it sinks rapidly, four times faster than any other line, to be exact, which makes it suitable for deep waters.
Is Normal Line Suitable for Ice Fishing?
No, it’s not. Standard fishing lines will not be able to tolerate the cold, sharp edges of the ice holes, vertical fishing position, and deep waters. They also will not be sensitive enough to suit ice-fishing.
Is It Possible to Use an Ice Fishing Line in the Summer?
There is no harm in having a robust, durable line on you during any fishing season. Still, some people would like to keep their ice fishing lines for when they are needed in order to decrease the toll of wear and tear on them as much as possible.
Final Thoughts
Ice fishing is truly an exciting hobby to practice. The obstacles that you face make it all the more worthwhile; however, the hardest obstacle could very well be the overwhelming market, and that’s why we have created this buying guide for you.
Our top pick for the best ice fishing line would be the KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line because it is superior in every aspect. It will not fail you in any possible way.
Yet, if your taste is more towards monofilament lines rather than the braided KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line, then the KastKing World’s Premium Monofilament Fishing Line is an excellent runner up and will give you hours upon hours of fishing fun.
Lastly, if you wish to try your hand at the fluorocarbon line for ice fishing, then the Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Ice Fishing Line is an excellent choice for anyone.