Lake fishing is one of the many sports best enjoyed during Minnesota summers. After all, the state is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, popular for its clean bodies of water and diverse populations of native fish.
If you want to try your hand at fishing, one of the most important things you should learn which are the best lures for lake fishing to purchase from your local tackle shop and when to use them.
There’s an art to choosing the best lures for lake fishing. This guide breaks down everything you need to consider, so you always use the right type of artificial bait when you fish.
1. Best Reusable Lure for Bass Fish
Rose Kuli Life-Like Lure Bass Bait
This one from Rose Kuli is the best lure for lake fishing bass. It features a high-quality reusable bait that is sure to do the job in saltwater and freshwater.
It has three-dimensional realistic-looking eyes and a body coated with pearl powder for an impressive natural appearance. The multi-part body is joined with fabrics to mimic a fish-like movement in the water.
It also has an in-built gravity ball to increase throw distance and attract bigger fish.
Features:
- Built-in gravity ball
- Sharp steel hook
Pros:
- Good size
- Realistic
- Reusable
Cons:
- Swings to a side when reeled in too quickly
- Relatively pricey
2. Best Convenient Lure for Bass Fish
Sougayilang Bass Lure
This is another crankbait to lure bigger bass. It has not one but multiple built-in steel balls for a wider cast distance and better postural stability. When dragged, these balls make a sound that attracts more bass.
Similar to the Rose Kuli bait, the Sougayilang lure is one of the best lures for lake fishing because of its realistic-looking three-dimensional bionic eyes. While these lack the multi-jointed body movements, the lure makes up for it with two barbs of three sharp hooks.
Features:
- Multiple built-in steel balls
- Three-dimensional bionic eyes
- Two barbs with three hooks
Pros:
- Realistic
- Wider cast
- Glossy body patterns
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not for saltwater
3. Best Colored Lures for Panfish
South Bend Trout And Panfish Spinners
If you’re looking for a colorful assortment of brown trout and panfish spinners, these are some of the best lures for lake fishing because they are fun and effective. The South Bend spinners come in an assorted pack of six that won’t dent your budget too much—one of the most affordable on this list of the best lures for lake fishing.
While these lures have a wide cast and feature treble hooks, the fur may degrade off after a few uses.
Features:
- Brass blades
- Treble hooks
- Pack of six
Pros:
- Good quality
- Budget offer
- Multicolor assortment
Cons:
- Fur comes off after a few uses
4. Best Quality Lures for Panfish
Leland’s Lures Trout Magnet Neon Kit
These neon artificial lures from Leland are an American favorite fish lure for good reason. A winning design separates this lure from others—it falls in the water not with its head weight but horizontally.
Add a set of seven neon lures, and you get a treat that no fish—especially lake trout and panfish—can resist.
Nearly all Leland products are very well-reviewed based on their quality, but this one undoubtedly takes the cake as their best lure for lake fishing.
Features:
- Neon colors
- 70 grub bodies
- Made in the USA
Pros:
- Quality build
- Works great on panfish and trout
- Compact storage box
- Good design
- Great price
Cons:
- May be too small for some
5. Best Versatile Lure for Walleye
Cotton Cordell Wally Diver Walleye Crankbait Fishing Lure
You should go for the Wally Diver crankbait fishing series if you need the best lures for lake fishing that will work on any fish in any situation.
The lure reaches up to 20 feet deep and sits motionless on the pause. This movement is more than enough to tease prey into falling for the bait.
This lure comes in a pack of three—you can choose the color and design assortment from a collection of 18 variations. You also get three size options.
Features:
- 18 design and color options
- Size options
- Set of three
Pros:
- Great for deep water trolling
- Durable
- Quality construction
- Bright colors
Cons:
- Not a lot of wobble
6. Most Durable Lure for Northern Pike
SPRO Bucktail Jig
The Bucktail Jig’s best feature is its super sharp and durable Gamakatsu hook, perfect for catching all species of gamefish. Unlike other bucktails, this doesn’t fall or dive straight into the water. Instead, it remains parallel for a great jigging action.
Its unique shape, head size, eye placement, and tail are all attractive to your prey of choice. The placement and design of these features also let the lure glide alluringly when it falls in the water.
This is one of the best lures for lake fishing and it comes in various sizes and colors, all great for catching northern pike.
Features
- Gamakatsu hook
- Stays parallel
- Natural gliding action
Pros
- Great jigging action
- Premium-quality hook and jig
- Good for catching gamefish
Cons
- Relatively pricey
7. Best Overall Lure for Northern Pike
South Bend Kastaway Trophy Spoons
If your aim for your summer fishing trip is to catch tons of northern pike, you must be ready with the best lures for lake fishing. There is no question that it is the South Bend Kastaway Trophy Spoon—it will surely set you up for a successful expedition on your next trip to Minnesota.
The curved shape of the spoons, combined with their shiny finish, move in the water in a unique dancing motion that reflects light. This is the main feature that makes it incredibly attractive to prey.
The spoons are heavier than traditional lures, which should give you a wider cast range. Plus, their airflow design means you can still catch northern pike even when they’re hiding in hard-to-reach areas.
The spoons are brass constructed and easily resist marine wear and tear. The split rings on the end easily attach to the line, making this a fantastic lure for beginners and casual hobbyists.
Features:
- Three-barbed treble hooks
- Durable brass construction
- Pack of three
Pros:
- Wider casting
- Great value
- Top-notch quality
- Easy for beginners
Cons:
- May be too heavy for some
8. Best Overall Reliable Lure for Lake Fishing
Eppinger Dardevle Imp
A fisherman’s tackle box is not complete without a reliable lure that always works. This is our top recommendation—the best lure for lake fishing that you can get from bait stores.
If you need reliable lures that you can use for any type of game fish, the Eppinger is a must-have—lots of professional and experienced anglers across the globe agree!
This lure’s strike-triggering action is an attractive combination of a wiggle and a wobble that mimics injured bait, so you can quickly lure just the gamefish you’ve been eyeing. It performs well whether you’re fishing fast, slow, deep, or shallow.
This best lure for lake fishing comes with a double hook or treble hook option, in brass, nickel, or copper back finish.
Features:
- Double hook or treble hook options
- American build quality
- Multiple sizes and color options
- Suitable for catching all types of gamefish
Pros:
- Great quality
- Natural color assortments
- Works great in any water conditions
- Attracts all types of fish
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
9. Most Versatile Lake Fishing Lure
Versatile lures can help you capture a wide variety of fish on your next trip to Minnesota.
While the option listed below is a bit more expensive, it’s a worthy investment if you want to pursue fishing for years to come.
Mepps MuskyKiller-Bucktail
The Mepps musky killer series is one of the best lures for lake fishing if versatility is what you want. These are made with top-notch craftsmanship and high-quality materials.
This lure is an excellent investment that will consistently deliver a great fishing experience, especially in the early musky season.
Features:
- Heavy-duty bronze treble hook
- Solid brass blade and body
- Stainless steel shaft
- Folded solid brass clevis
- Hand-tied tandem tail
- Genuine bucktail
- Attractive color patterns
Pros:
- Durable
- Attracts large profile fish
- Great for short strikes
Cons:
- Expensive
10. Best Performance Lake Fishing Lure
Heddon Zara Puppy
The smaller version of the Zara Spook is the best lure for lake fishing in terms of performance. Its classic design delivers a unique walk-the-dog retrieving technique that captures attention from as far as 20 feet away. It mimics an injured baitfish very realistically and triggers aggressive bites in response.
The lure also comes with two high-quality treble hooks and a wide range of color options.
Features:
- Smaller version of Heddon Zara Spook
- Two treble hooks
- Variety of color options
- Great for all sizes of freshwater gamefish
Pros:
- Top-notch stream and river smallmouth bass lures
- Strong hooksets
- Guaranteed fishing success
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
11. Other Best Lures for Lake Fishing
Here are some other lures that are sure to pack a punch on some of the best fishing lakes in Minnesota.
Mepps Aglia Spinner
Fish can swim, but they can’t hide from the world-renowned Mepps Aglia Spinner. Several have tried to duplicate it, but this made-in-France original is one of the most popular spinners among anglers. Does it live up to its reputation? Absolutely!
Snagging a variety of freshwater species, this spinner will help you hook a number of fish lurking in Minnesota lake waters as well as on a saltwater fishing trip.
The Mepps Aglia Spinner has been tried, tested, and proven to help snag that trophy fish and its versatility makes this spinner a must-have best lure for lake fishing to keep on hand in your tackle box.
It is available in multiple sizes and color options.
Features:
- Designed for freshwater and saltwater
- Used for a variety of species
- Suitable for catching a variety of sized fish
Pros:
- Best spinner for multi-species
- Lightweight construction
- Great color variety
Cons:
- Quite pricey
12. Bay De Noc 2ZR 1-Inch Swedish Pimple Jig
A variation of the Swedish Pimple, Bay De Noc offers a unique trolling and casting action thanks to its wing design that imitates a forage fish.
It is the best lure for lake fishing saltwater species and comes in various sizes and finishes. This lure is made in America, so you can be sure of a high-quality build that will perform well for years.
Features:
- Solid brass
- Wing design
- Made in America
- Available in nickel, gold, and white pearl finish
Pros:
- Unique trolling and casting action
- Works great with saltwater species
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
Wrapping up the Best Lures for Lake Fishing
This covers some of the best lures for lake fishing to add to your tackle box. Your final choice of lure should depend on what body of water you’re fishing in and the prey you’re aiming to catch.
A healthy lure selection will ensure that you’re ready for any adventure!
Want to learn more about fishing, discover more fishing spots, and or read up on the best fishing gear? Then continue your fishing adventure with our comprehensive guides, info posts, and more!
Need some more Minnesota gear? Trust our recommendations to guide your next shopping trip!
- About the Author
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Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.