Just about the only trout I catch through the ice are brookies. For me the rattle spoons and flutter spoons have worked really well. I prefer to add a waxie or spike or two on the hook to get them to bite the right end of the lure, as they tend to slash and bite at the spoon bodie. If you miss the hook set get it right back down there as they tend to circle back and hit it a few times. Target shallow water, usually 5' and under, preferably near a drop off or deeper hole. They will also swim around structure and schools tend to circle and a area like a cove or point vs circling the whole lake/pond non stop. Depending on the location (and stocking density) If you find a hole that you can sight fish and see a few come up to your offering, you can sometimes stay at that one hole/area and get a flurry of action every 15 mins or so. For bait on traps, use small shiners, a piece of a night crawler (or better yet a euro night crawler as they handle the cold and are smaller), shrimp or salmon egg.
