January 16th, 2024
***Ice Report***
Ice conditions have improved greatly on all area lakes these last few days. Ice roads continue to pop up and expand on many area lakes. Lakes with ice roads are reporting 12-14” of clear solid ice. Ice reports from lake trout lakes went from 3-8” reported on Friday to 7-11” on Sunday. Only a matter of time before anglers start driving on these lakes. 4 wheelers and snowmobiles were common sight, on lake trout lakes, this last weekend.
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Many Lake Trout anglers were not disappointed for Lake Trout opener. Anglers did best fishing flats in 30-50 ft of water. 4” tubes, worked aggressively, were the most productive presentation. Sucker minnows, fished under a tip up, also accounted for it fair share of fish.
Stream trout - Rainbows, Browns, Brook Trout and Splake were all active for trout opener. All trout were caught with small jigging spoons or tungsten jigs, tipped with soft plastics or wax worms. Rainbows were found 5-10 feet under the ice, brookies and browns were found on shallow flats that had weeds or timber and last but not least, Splake were found near the bottom in deeper water 15-20 feet of water.
Walleye - Walleye fishing has been surprisingly good considering the cold snap that just moved into the Ely area. Anglers continue to find active walleyes in 20-25 ft of water, over mud flats. Bite windows being reported are between 4-6pm, then another one from 9-11pm. Jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head has been very effective, but a dead stick or rattle reel, set with active minnow, has been accounting the majority of walleyes being caught.
Pike - It’s been challenging to fish for pike this last weekend given holes freeze over fast, but pike anglers have been reporting good numbers being caught. Deep water then usual, 10-17 ft, has been the best. Medium to large size suckers or frozen smelt has been the baits of choice. Deeper flats near river mouths or near weedbeds have been best.
Panfish - Panfish reports have really cooled off as many panfish angler switch to stream trout now. Crappies continue to be found hanging out in deep water, but have been laying tight to the bottom. Anglers have had to work hard to get these fish to bite. Small jigs, tipped with small soft plastics or wax worms have been best.
