Shopping for an ice angler this holiday season? Whether they’re a hardcore walleye chaser or a panfish enthusiast who loves a full day on the ice (or you just want to gift yourself something), finding the perfect gift doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ve put together this guide featuring the gear I trust on the ice—from budget-friendly combos to premium setups that’ll make any angler’s season. The best part? You can stack these exclusive discount codes to maximize your holiday shopping budget and get even more gear under the tree.
When shopping below, you can stack your savings even more: Use codes NICOLE20 (Piscifun), NICOLE15 (Lurenet), and NICOLE (DSG Outerwear). Some do not have codes, but are simply recommendations on sale.
Gifts for the Walleye Enthusiast
Budget-Friendly Walleye Combo: The Perfect Starter Setup
Not every angler needs a $300 rod to catch fish. This combo delivers premium performance without the premium price tag—ideal for teens, beginners, or anyone looking to add another rod to their arsenal.
The Setup:
- Rod: St. Croix Mojo Ice (Medium)
- Reel: Piscifun Carbon XT – code nicole20 for an extra 20% off
Why it works: The Mojo Ice has been a staple in the ice fishing community for years, offering solid sensitivity and durability. Pair it with the Carbon XT reel and you’ve got a combo that’ll handle everything from aggressive jigging to deadsticking. Piscifun reels are already discounted for the holidays, then add code NICOLE20 on top for even greater savings!
Premium Walleye Setup: For the Serious Angler
Know someone who’s already serious about their ice fishing? This is the gift that’ll make them light up on Christmas morning.
The Setup:
- Rod: St. Croix Custom Outside Eye Rod MF (for hardcore outside anglers) or St. Croix Custom House Rod MF (a little shorter for house sitting).
- Reel: Piscifun Carbon XT (Code Nicole20 for an additional 20% off)
Why they’ll love it: The outside eye design provides exceptional sensitivity, and great leverage in frigid conditions—you’ll feel every tick, tap, and subtle bite but the longer rod length 36″ will make it ideal for fighting bigger fish as well. The house rod complements this by allowing full control of your baits but being short enough to fit comfortably in your shack.
The Carbon XT reel is smooth, reliable, and built to handle brutal cold. Stack the holiday sale price with code NICOLE20 for maximum savings on this premium setup. This is the kind of setup that becomes an angler’s go-to rod for years to come ( and is great to take with you for open water season too!).
Walleye Tackle Stocking Stuffers
Sometimes the best gifts come in small packages. These baits have caught me countless walleye and won’t break the bank (especially because they are on massive sale right now – stack them with NICOLE15 for additional savings).
- Lindy Rattlin’ Flyer Spoon — Perfect for calling in aggressive walleye (code nicole15 at checkout)
- Lindy Quiver Spoon — My secret weapon for finicky fish (code nicole15 at checkout)
Stack the discounts for the best deal of the season.
Tuck a few of these in a stocking or gift bag alongside a rod combo for a complete package.
Gifts for Panfish Fanatics
Ultimate Panfish Setup: The Gold Standard
If you’re shopping for someone who lives for crappie and bluegill action, this is the setup they dream about.
The Setup:
- Rod: St. Croix Pan Dancer (My favorite rod EVER – also pretty expensive)
- Reel: Piscifun Viper X 500 a compact lightweight reel (code nicole20)
Why it’s a game-changer: The Pan Dancer is legendary for a reason. Its ultra-light sensitivity lets you detect the softest panfish nibbles, and when paired with the smooth Viper X 500, it’s a joy to fish all day long. Piscifun reels are already on sale, then stack code NICOLE20 for even deeper discounts! This is a gift for someone who appreciates the nuance of panfish fishing.
Budget Panfish Combo: Value Meets Performance
Perfect for kids getting started, anglers who like to hole-hop with multiple rods, or anyone who wants a reliable panfish setup without overspending.
The Setup:
- Rod: St. Croix Mojo Ultralight
- Reel: Piscifun Viper X 500 (Code nicole20 at checkout)
Why it’s perfect: Lightweight, affordable, and durable enough to handle tip-ups, rod holders, and the occasional tumble on the ice.
Panfish Tackle Must-Haves
These small jigs and spoons are absolute panfish magnets:
- Lindy Tungsten Toad — Gets down fast and triggers bites (15% off with code nicole15)
- Lindy Frostee Spoon — A classic that works year after year (15% off with code nicole15)
- Crappie Moglo Jig + Bobby Garland Itty Bit Mayfly — Deadly combo for slab crappies (15% off with code nicole15)
I caught my first ever 16″ crappie on the Lindy Tungsten toad which you can watch here.
Already on sale PLUS use code NICOLE15 for additional savings! Stack the discounts for maximum value.
Augers: The Gift That Keeps On Drilling
An auger might be the single most impactful gift for any ice angler. Below is my recommended budget option and my go-to for hardcore anglers.
Budget-Friendly Power: Strikemaster 24V (Starting around $299)
Why it’s a smart gift: The Strikemaster 24V offers electric auger performance at a price point that won’t make you wince. It’s lightweight (only 13-14 lbs), quiet, and powerful enough to drill up to 100 holes on a single charge with the 6″ model. Perfect for anglers who fish smaller lakes, hole-hop for panfish, or want to avoid the hassle and maintenance of gas augers. The 50:1 gear ratio delivers impressive torque, and it includes both forward and reverse modes for clearing slush.
Best for: Panfish enthusiasts, hard house users and anyone on a tighter budget that doesn’t have to fish on big water up north.
Premium Performance: Ion Alpha Plus
Why it’s the ultimate gift: The Ion Alpha Plus is the Cadillac of ice augers. This is hands down the best auger I’ve owned.
What the stats say: With cutting speeds up to 3.4 inches per second (52% faster than competitors), it can drill up to 2000 inches of ice on a single charge. Weighing under 16 lbs with the composite bit and backed by a category-best 3-year warranty, it’s built for hard use and long seasons.
What I say: It makes drilling on Lake Winnipeg and LOW a breeze.
Best for: Serious walleye anglers who fish big water during the heart of winter.
Pro tip: Pair an auger gift with spare lithium batteries—they’ll appreciate the ability to fish all day without worrying about power.
Electronics: Great for BIG Budgets
For many ice anglers, getting their first quality electronics setup is a game-changer. Being able to see fish, structure, and your bait in real-time transforms fishing from guesswork into a strategic pursuit.
Vexilar FLX-20 Genz Pack
Why it’s an incredible gift: The FLX-20 Genz Pack is purpose-built for ice fishing and offers exceptional value at $399. It’s affordable and really gets everything done.
What makes it special:
- Portable pack includes everything: flasher unit, battery, charger, and carrying case
- Easy to read in bright sunlight (critical for ice fishing)
- Analog technology – monitoring fish reactions in real time behavior
- Incredibly reliable in brutal cold conditions
Best for: Someone looking for a great deal on durable, time tested electronics.
Pro tip: This is one of those gifts that anglers often want but hesitate to buy for themselves. If you’re shopping for someone serious about ice fishing, this will be a standout gift under the tree.
Livescope Ice Fishing Kit
Why it’s an incredible gift: Livescope takes ice fishing to the next level. It shows you exactly what’s happening under the ice in realtime, giving you a huge advantage.
You can watch fish approach and react to your bait in real time, helping you fine-tune your presentation.
It lets you locate active fish fast, so you spend less time drilling and more time catching.
In the end, it makes every trip more productive, more interactive, and a lot more fun honestly.
These days, Livescope rigs like the Livescope Plus Ice Fishing Kit are seeing some of their best-ever deals. Retailers are discounting full bundles — including sonar module, transducer, battery, and even chartplotter screen combos — often by several hundred dollars relative to typical street price.
Best for: A friend or family member who simply needs to catch more fish!
DSG Outerwear: Gifts Built for Women Who Fish
Of course, as a lady anger, this category is a must.
Here’s the thing about women’s ice fishing gear—it matters that it’s actually designed for women, not just smaller versions of men’s suits. DSG Outerwear gets this right, and their gear is some of the warmest, most functional apparel I’ve worn on the ice. That adjustable fit and dropseat lets me spend way more time out on the ice.
Use code NICOLE on all DSG products.
DSG Arctic Appeal 3.0 Suit (I love the America Suit) CODE NICOLE
This is one of the warmest, most versatile women’s ice suits on the market. If you’re looking for the best suit to get a woman in your life on the ice more, this is it!
Available colors:
- Blue
- Fawn
- Red/White/Blue
The fit is incredible, the warmth is unmatched, and the functionality (pockets, zippers, adjustability) makes long days on the ice comfortable.
DSG Ice Boots (CODE NICOLE)
Warm (like EXTREMELY WARM) waterproof, and built for all-day ice travel. Your feet will thank you after hour six on the ice.
DSG Heated Vest (code NICOLE)
This is hands-down one of my all-time favorite pieces of gear. Perfect for early ice when you’re not quite ready for a full bibs-and-coat setup, or for layering during midwinter trips. It’s also fantastic for around the cabin, running errands, or any outdoor activity. Trust me—once they wear it, they’ll never want to take it off. This is perfect for that special lady in your life.
DSG Beanies
The perfect stocking stuffer. Soft, warm, and stylish enough to wear off the ice too.
Accessories: The Unsung Heroes of Ice Fishing
These might not be flashy, but they’re the gifts that’ll get used every single trip:
- Stone Tackle Boxes — Customizable and nearly indestructible
- Lithium batteries — Keep electronics (like livescope) running in the bitter cold
- Ice cleats — Safety first on early ice (QUALITY ice cleats make a big difference for early ice)
- Rod Case — Protect expensive rods during transport – prefer a hard case. I like this one.
- Ice picks — Essential safety gear every angler should have
- Hand Warmers— Small gift, big impact on cold days
- Neck gaiters — Keep the wind off your face
- Plier/Clippers (Piscifun) – Everyone needs a good pair of pliers on them – and it makes a good stocking gift – Code Nicole20 for 20%
Make Their Season
Whether you’re shopping for someone just getting into ice fishing or a seasoned angler who lives for hard water, these gifts will make their time on the ice more successful, comfortable, and enjoyable.
Remember to stack your savings on these select sites:
- Piscifun Reels: NICOLE20
- Lurenet Tackle: NICOLE15
- DSG Outerwear: NICOLE
Tight lines and happy holidays! If you grab any of these gifts, I’d love to hear about it—tag me on Instagram or drop a comment below about what you’re putting under the tree this year.
