Favorite Bait (or Lure) for Catching Rainbows Through the Ice?

[TroutYammer]

I want to try fishing Rainbows through the ice. Since I am going to try a Not-Designated Trout Lake...I will be able to use minnows as well. Any help in choice of bait/lure would be greatly appreciated.

[lakerunner]

I fish for them just as I would perch--minnow, small jig, try anywhere in the water column.

[FishOn!]

non-designated...without a doubt, shiner minnows on a small plain red hook.

[caseymcq]

Sidewinder Spoon

Silver/Silver Slender Spoon

Yellow w/ red dots (kind of like a five of diamonds Dare-devil) Little Cleo

Nickle/Blue Kastmaster

[DEADhead]

angel eye jrs. hammered gold is a classic.

sight fishing int he shallows also works well, size 10 or 12 genz bug tipped with waxies, euro larvae or wigglers.

[Andrew Erickson]

ratso!

[fishkid]

demon jigging spoon, and the small slurpie panfish tube jigs

[TroutYammer]

wow...thanks folks! greatly appreciate the input. Now if it would just warm up a little bit so I can go sit out on my bucket I might just give it a try!

[KG243]

better wait tell season opens.

[MuntzAngling]

Well, Chequamegon Bay is getting pretty frozen. Season is open there all winter!

[AugieAngler1010]

1. Silver Forage Minnows

2. Demons

3. Swedish Pimples

I tip these with waxies and do well. I've found that on bright days having a jig with some flash is helpful, but on overcast days a solid color can be better.

[lookincalifornia]

power bait on one rod, jigging rap on another

[Far-I]

I would start with a small gold spoon with a few waxies on it. Second i would go for a shiner on a hook. On the designated lake where my house was last winter i had quite a bit of luck with a small northland airplane jig (even late in the season!)

[jigginjim]

Hercules spinner,