September 6th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - With the recent heat wave, the growing minnow bite cooled off quickly. Savvy anglers who adapted to the heat wave, switched to crawlers and fished them on a spinner rig. These anglers had no issue catching walleyes over the weekend. Anglers found them still out of sunken islands, in 15-25 feet of water. Now with the cool snap and return to normal fall temperatures, anglers should expect the fall, big minnow bite to come back strong. 

Smallmouth - Big smallies continue to transition out to sunken islands and feed heavily as they prepare for winter. Anglers looking to catch the biggest smallies of the year should be fishing with big minnows on a lindy rig. Humps that top out in 10-25 feet of water, with deeper water very close by are going to be the best ones to fish. Large jerk minnows and paddle tails, fished in the same area, has also been very effective.

Panfish - With the heat wave, crappies we’re very active on popular area crappie lakes. Anglers targeting crappies found active crappies working cabbage beds, downed trees and lily pads. Beetle spins, jig/twister and crappie minnows under a bobber have all been very effective on crappies. 

Stream trout - Stream trout were a popular choice this last weekend, but results seemed to be mixed. Anglers fishing from a boat trolled small crankbaits, behind cowbells with mixed success. Anglers fishing from shore mainly fished with a slip bobber, with a crawler suspended between 10-15 feet down. Again, their success was mixed. 

August 29th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing has remained strong on many area lakes this last week. Anglers continue to find walleyes deep, in 12-20 feet of water. More and more anglers are looking to minnows and trolling crankbaits to catch their walleyes. Anglers fishing minnows are working them on a jig, around current areas, windy humps, windy shorelines and windblown points. Anglers trolling crankbaits have been trolling baits over large flats, again in 12-20 feet of water, during the day. 

Smallmouth - Smallies continue to be found more and more out on sunken islands, mixed in with walleyes. Anglers catching smallies out here have been throwing paddle tails and flukes on heavy 1/2oz jigs. Anglers can still find smallies on shoreline, downed trees and in large rivers. Anglers fishing here have been throwing topwater lures, Ned rigs, wacky worms and in-line spinners for active smallies. 

Panfish - Crappies continue to be a popular choice for anglers and for good reason. Crappies are being found in thick stands of cabbage, or around downed trees. Evening hours seems to be the most consistent bite for anglers and jig/twister, beetle spins and crappie minnows. Sunnies too have been very popular this last week. Anglers are finding them in the same areas, but anglers are catching them on live bait more than artificial.

Stream Trout - The stream trout bite has been very hit or miss for anglers this last week. When trout are cooperating, anglers are catching them on small kastmasters, in-line spinners and night crawlers floated off the bottom, about 2 feet, with a marshmallow. 

Pike - Pike anglers have been reporting catching quality pike this last week, in shallow weedbeds. Anglers have been throwing large streamers, poppers, spoons and fishing a sucker under a bobber. Early mornings have been noticeably the best time to target larger pike, while smaller ones remain active all day. 

August 22nd, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye reports have finally begun to pick up a little out on sunken islands in that 15-25 foot of water range. Anglers finding walleyes out on sunken islands have been catching them on bigger minnows and jigging raps. Shallow water bite continues to be where the best reports continue to come from. Here anglers are pulling lindy rigs, tipped with a crawler, pitching jigs with half a crawler, casting crankbaits and swim baits tight to windy shorelines and windy flats for walleyes. 6-10 feet of water seems to be the best, but reports of walleyes as shallow as 2-3 feet continue to come in. Gold, purple, perch and orange were popular colors this last week. 

Smallmouth - Smallmouth too seem to of begun to shift out to sunken islands with the walleyes. Some real pigs are being caught out here on with a simple jig and big minnow. Most anglers continue to focus on main lake shorelines and larger rivers to find active smallies. Anglers here have been throwing in-line spinners, wacky worms and topwater. Again, windblown shorelines, large flats and downed trees have been areas to focus on for the best fishing. 

Panfish - Crappie have been a popular choice for anglers this last week as many anglers have been running into active schools of crappies on many of the areas more popular crappie lakes. Crappies have been hitting classic beetle spins, jig/twisters and crappie minnows in or near thick cabbage beds, downed trees and lily pads. Sunfish are also being found in similar areas as crappies and on similar baits. 

 Stream trout - Stream trout have suddenly become a popular target this last week. Anglers have been having success both from shore and boat. Anglers fishing from a boat have been trolling small crankbaits, cowbells and lindy rigs tipped with a crawler, down around 15 feet of water for active trout. Shore anglers have been having success throwing jig/twister, small spoons and night crawlers either under a bobber or floated off the bottom have been very effective. Morning and evening hours have been the best time to be fishing for active trout. 

August 15th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing continues to be a shallow water game. The best walleye reports continue to come from 6-10 feet of water. Anglers have been finding these shallow water walleyes on points, shallow rocky flats and near current areas. Spinners rigs, soft plastics and crankbaits have been the baits of choice for anglers. Orange, perch, purple and gold have been very popular colors this last week. 

Smallmouth - Smallmouth fishing slowed this last week as several cold fronts passed through the area. Topwater bite has seemed to cool off some as a result of the cold fronts. In-line spinners, wacky worms and Ned rigs were very effective on these less active smallies. Anglers continue to find smallies in current areas, around downed trees and even out on sunken islands now. Green pumpkin was a very popular color for smallies this last week. 

Panfish - Sunfish and crappies continue to be a very popular target with anglers this last week. Anglers have largely been finding crappies and sunnies in the same area. Thick weedbeds have been key areas to find active crappies and sunnies. Time of day can affect what you catch. Crappie are using the weedbeds during the early morning and evening hours. Sunfish have been very active in these weedbeds during the daytime hours. Both are being caught with beetle spins, jig/twister and live bait fished under a bobber. 

Pike - Pike anglers have been enjoying this cooler then normal temperatures, as cooler water temps increase pike activity. Large pike are being caught with large spoons, large spinnerbaits and minnow baits. Pike anglers have been throwing these lures near weedbeds and river mouths.

August 8th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye bite continues to be a shallow water affair for many walleye anglers. 6-10 feet of water is where the best reports are coming from. Anglers are throwing a very mixed bag of lure at these shallow water walleyes.  Swim baits, twisters, slip bobbers, minnow baits and lindy rigs are all producing walleyes. Anglers should be focused on windy, rocky shorelines, points, tops of shallow sunken islands, river mouths and even weedlines for walleyes.  

Smallmouth - Smallmouth bass fishing was spotty for many anglers last week. Anglers catching fish are doing so during the early morning and later evening hours. Early mornings have been prime time for topwater bait. During the evening hours anglers seem to be having better luck fishing with wacky rigs, Ned rigs and in-line spinners. Anglers will find bass around rocky shorelines, points, downed trees, in larger rivers and out around island.

Panfish - Sunfish bite has been going strong on area lakes. Anglers continue to find sunnies in and around well established weedbeds. Small leeches and angleworms, fished under a bobber has been deadly.  Crappie anglers have been reporting that they are finding them in shallow, weed filled bays, right with sunfish. Downed trees have also been another area to find active crappies. Anglers have been throwing favorites like jig/twister, beetle spins and minnows under a bobber to catch crappies. 

Pike - Pike anglers have been finding active pike cruising weedlines with large spoons and spinnerbaits. Cabin goers have been fishing large suckers under a bobber right off their docks during the early morning hours. Some of the biggest pike caught this last week were caught on suckers. 

August 1st, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - How skinny is too skinny for late July walleyes? 3, 4 feet? Best reports this last week were between 3-10 feet of water. Skinnier the water you find walleyes, the hotter the fishing. Leeches under a bobber, off your dock or campsite, during the evening hours, has been very effective. Spinner rigs tipped with crawlers and worked on weedlines, near timber or rocky flats has also been very effective for anglers. Gold, orange and perch colors have been popular. 

Smallmouth - Smallmouth fishing cooled off this last week as a major cool front moved into the area. Topwater remains a popular choice, but smallies eagerness to hit them has cooled off with the weather. Subsurface lures like in-line spinners, spinnerbaits and wacky worms were more effective this last week. Boulder flats, downed trees and current areas/rivers are good places to find active, aggressive smallies. Crayfish, white and bone were popular colors. 

Panfish - Sunnies and crappies have been active and popular with anglers this last week. Sunnies have been easy to find. Look for weedbeds and weedlines to find active sunnies. Angleworms and wax worm fished under a bobber has been very popular here. Crappies too have been active this last week. Anglers have been finding crappies in and around downed trees. Anglers have been throwing jig/twister, beetle spins and thumper jigs in that timber to catch those crappies. Weedlines in the evening has also been worth fishing for crappies. 

Pike - Several large pike were caught this last week. Large suckers fished under a bobber was the way to go for the largest pike. Anglers throwing spoons, spinnerbaits and large minnow baits reported catching good numbers of pike, but most were on the smaller side (under 30”). Weedlines, rivers and shallow bays have been the best areas to target pike. 

July 27th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing continues to be a shallow water affair for walleye anglers. While there are a few reports out there of walleyes as deep as 15, the majority of good reports continue to be in 10 feet of water or less. Anglers have been using slip bobbers and a leech, jigs and twisters, swim baits and spinner rigs tipped with a leech or crawler. Rocky flats, shallow rocky humps, windblown points and weedlines have been the areas to find active walleyes. Popular colors have been firetiger, purple, black and blue. 

Smallmouth - Smallies have remained active this last week for anglers. Topwater continues to be very popular with bass anglers. Wacky worms, Ned rigs, in-line spinners and spinnerbaits have all been effective for bass too. Smallies are being found in rivers, rocky shoreline points, around downed trees and out around islands, in 10 feet of water or less. Bone, white and crawfish colors have been very effective colors. 

Panfish - Crappies and sunnies are has been a popular target this last week. Anglers have been reporting catching good numbers and size of crappies around timber laying in the water. Crappie minnows, under a bobber, beetle spins, and hair jigs have been in pink, white and chartreuse have been popular choices. Sunnies have been located in weedbeds and weedlines. Angleworms and waxies, fished under a bobber has been very effective on sunnies. 

Stream Trout - Stream trout reports have cooled off as stream trout have moved deeper. Majority of stream trout being caught now are being caught in 15 - 20 feet of water. Small crankbaits and small spoons trolled with leadcore has been very effective.

Pike - Pike fishing has remained popular this last week. Anglers have been finding active pike with classic spoons, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and live suckers. Weedlines and river mouths have been popular places to find active pike. 

July 18th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Best walleye bite continues to be a shallow water bite. 7-9 feet of water been where the best bite is happening. Anglers catching walleyes here are either trolling crankbaits at about 2 mph, jigging leeches, crawlers and even minnows, or pulling spinner rigs. Shallow rocky points, shallow sunken islands and shallow rocky flats have been the areas to target. Hot colors have been Firetiger, purple and gold. 

Smallmouth - Topwater smallmouth bass fishing has cooled off some, this last week as cooler than normal temperatures settled in the area. Best bite has been subsurface and on spinners and Ned rigs. Points, shallow boulder flats, downed trees and a few reports out on sunken islands, has been the areas to check for bass. 

Pike - This recent cool snap has only improved the local pike bite on area lakes. Pike continues to be found in shallow weedbeds on area lakes. River mouth’s, mouths of shallow bays and main lake point are other areas to look for active pike. Spoons, spinnerbaits, and sucker minnows, fished under a bobber, continues to very effective on pike. 

Panfish - Crappies reports were surprisingly few and far between this last week. Reports heard, were good. Anglers are finding them around downed trees and weedbeds. Crappies are either holding right next to or just off them. Crappies minnows, jig and twisters and beetle spins have been very effective on crappies.

July 11th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing continues to improve on area lakes, but anglers have been reporting that walleyes are scattered. Anglers are catching walleyes slip bobbering a leech, right off their dock or campsite in 8 feet of water or less, during the evening. Other anglers are catching walleyes pulling gold, orange and blue colored lindy rigs, tipped with a crawler or leech, out on sunken islands and main lake points, in 12-18 feet of water. Still other anglers are having good luck pulling white, bloody nosed and perch colored crankbaits out on large flats in 15-20 feet of water or 15-20 feet down out over 30-80 feet of water. 

Smallmouth - Smallies continue to very active this last week. Topwater baits, wacky worms, Ned rigs and spinners continue to be the go to baits for bass anglers. Bass anglers continue to focus on classic summer structure such as points, boulders flats, downed trees and sunken islands. 

Pike - Pike also continue to be popular with anglers this last week. Large spoons, spinnerbaits and suckers fished under a bobber has been very effective. Anglers should be focusing on weed lines, current areas and mouths of shallow bays. 

Stream trout - Warm summertime temps have the stream trout largely restricted to deeper water now. Anglers have been setting their slip bobbers to 15 feet while using a night crawler. Anglers fishing from a boat have been using small deep diving crankbaits or 3 colors of leadcore to get small spoons down to trout. 

July 4th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing is starting to show signs of improvement on many area lakes, as the mayfly hatch is starting to wrap up. Anglers have been having to work hard for each and every fish on these lakes. On lakes where the mayfly hatch hasn’t happened or has wrapped up, anglers have been catching good numbers of walleyes. Anglers on all lakes have been finding walleyes in 15-20 feet of water, on top of sunken islands. Orange, gold, pink and blue colored jigs, tipped with leeches or crawlers, has been the ticket. Spinner rigs have also accounted for its fair share of walleyes. 

Pike - Pike fishing was excellent this last week for a lot of anglers. While there weren’t to many reports of fish over 34” being caught, good numbers were had by just about everyone targeting pike. Classic pike presentations like spoons, buzz baits, spinnerbaits and suckers fished under a bobber, keep pike anglers busy all of last week. Weed beds, mouths of shallow bays and areas where water enters the lake, are the areas to focus on pike. 

Smallmouth - Topwater fishing for smallies continues to be hot and popular among anglers. Anglers continue to find big smallies along shorelines with boulder flats, rocky points and downed trees. Ned rigging, wacky worms and spinners, continue to be very effective on smallies also and in the same areas.  

Stream trout - Stream trout fishing has started to slow up this last week for many trout anglers. As surface temps continue to climb, trout are forced deeper to find their preferred temperature. Anglers have been having the best luck fishing night crawlers 10-15 feet, under a bobber. 

Panfish - Panfish fishing was a popular choice this last week as many anglers struggled catching walleyes. As weed beds are established, finding panfish hasn’t been too hard to do for most anglers. Small leeches are proving to be deadly on sunnies in these weed beds. Beetle spins, small spinners and angleworms or waxies fished under a bobber has also been effective. Crappies are also being caught on these same weed beds and same lures, but more often than not during the evening hours, just before dark. 

June 27th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

 Walleye - Walleye fishing can’t be fantastic all the time, even in the Ely area. Anglers have been struggling to stay on the walleyes this last week. Anglers catching walleyes have been reporting that they are finding them in 12-18 feet of water, out on sunken islands. Spinner rigs, tipped with crawlers has been best, but jig and half a crawler has also been very effective. Top colors have been orange, gold and pink. 

 Smallmouth - Bass fishing too has slowed on some of the area lakes, but has changed very little on others. Topwater continues to be the way to go on the lakes where the bite is still good. Aggressive bass are being found on classic smallmouth locations like boulder flats, points and downed trees. If bass aren’t smashing topwater baits, wacky rigs have been extremely effective too, in the same areas. 

 Pike - Pike have been active this last week. Anglers have been catching good numbers of pike under 30 inches with a few over 40 inches still being caught. Spoons, spinnerbaits, and suckers under a bobber have been effective for anglers. Wedline’s, river mouths and mouths of shallow bays has been the areas to key in on if you want to catch pike. 

 Lake Trout - Anglers were doing good catching lakers this last week. Trolling with leadcore and trolling spoons, over 30-80 feet of water has been effective. Anglers have been finding lakers close to sunken islands and off points. 

June 20th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye anglers continue to find walleyes in water 12ft or less. Shallow boulder flats or on top of sunken islands, has been the locations to look for. Reports of walleye throwing up crawfish has also been reported by several anglers. As a result, orange jigs and half a crawler have been very effective. Anglers are also catching walleyes with slip bobbers, spinner rigs and trolling large minnow baits over shallow flats. 

Smallmouth - Topwater fishing for smallies continues to be fantastic for bass anglers. Anglers continue to find bass on shallow boulder flats and around trees laying in the water. Classic smallmouth spots. Wacky worms, ned rigs and in-line spinners have also been very effective for bass anglers. 

Panfish - Sunfish anglers have been finding active sunnies in shallow weed beds. Small leeches, angleworms and waxies fished under a bobber has been very effective. Crappie anglers have had a harder time finding crappies this last week. Reports of successful trips have been few and far between. Anglers should be looking for crappies to slide into weed beds during the evening hours. Small jig and twisters, beetle spins and crappie minnows fished under a bobber has been effective for anglers. 

Lake trout - Lake trout anglers had a good week catching good number of trout. Anglers have been using trolling spoons and deep diving crankbaits, that dive to 20ft+. Leadcore will help pull these lures down to lakers. Lakers are being found between 20-80ft of water. 

June 13th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

 Walleye - Walleye fishing cooled off this last weekend thanks to good cold front that dropped water temps 10 degrees.  As a result, walleyes dropped to 15-25 feet of water, just off those shallow flats anglers were catching them just days before. Minnows really came back into play for anglers. Simple jig and minnow, worked right on top of those inactive walleye was effective. Pink/white, blue/white and gold remain popular colors for walleyes. Angler have now started reporting walleyes out on sunken islands. 

 Smallmouth - Smallmouth bass continue to be very active and aggressive for anglers. Topwater continues to be very popular among bass anglers. Ned rigs and in-line spinners are also accounting for a large number of bass for anglers. Shallow boulder flats, points and around islands, continue to be areas to focus efforts for bass. Anglers have noticed that crawfish are shedding their shells in the shallows right now and bass are focused on them. 

 Panfish - Weed beds have developed quickly on area lakes and panfish are being found in weed beds or on the weed lines. Angleworms and waxies, fished under a bobber, in those weed beds has been the way to catch sunnies. Crappies are being found just off weed lines during the day, then in the weed beds during the evening hours. Jig/twister or crappie minnows fished under a bobber has been very effective on crappies. 

 Stream Trout - Thanks to the recent cool off, trout have come up in the water column and fishing has improved for anglers. Anglers fishing from shore have been catching trout with small spoons and spinners. Anglers fishing from a boat continue to catch good numbers of trout trolling small minnow baits behind cowbells, about 10-15 feet down. 

June 6th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - The skinny water walleye bite continues to be very hot! Walleyes continue to be found in water as shallow as 2 feet (not a typo). Anglers are having great success fishing leeches under a bobber, shallow running minnow baits and trolling slow death rigs. Shallow, wind blown flats, remain the best place to find these hungry walleye.

Smallmouth - With water temps as high as 83 degrees on some area lakes, the bass have largely wrapped up spawning. Topwater baits have quickly become the go to lures for bass anglers. Whopper ploppers, torpedoes, pop-r’s and hula poppers are all catching tons of smallies right now. Ned rigs and wacky worms are also accounting for their fair share of bass. Shallow boulder flats, in 10 ft if water and less is where you will find active bass.

Panfish - Thanks to the rapid warmup in water temps, panfish are being found in shallow bays looking to spawn or wrapping up spawning. Either way, worms, crappie minnows, waxies are all catching lots of panfish in the shallows. If the panfish have already spawned their location is a little different. These panfish are being found out on the weedlines. Small twisters and beetle spins are catching these fish.

Stream trout - Rainbows and brown trout are being caught on area stream trout lakes by trolling small crankbaits, spinner rigs and cowbells. Warm water temps have pushed trout down to 15-20 feet of water. This has resulted in many of the trout being found out over deeper water, cruising around, looking for a easy meal.  

Pike - Warm temps have pushed out most of the big pike, from shorelines. Small pike have remained in the shallows and have remained very active. Spoons, spinnerbaits and large suspending minnow baits have been catching pike. Anglers have been working weedlines, river mouths and mouths of shallow bays, in 12ft of water and less. 

May 31st, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - As water temps climb into the high 50’s walleye are on the move. While yes, you can still find walleyes hanging around spawning areas, but the majority of them have now left those areas. Now walleyes are cruising shorelines looking for an easy meal. Anglers are now working points, large shallow flats and river mouths. Anglers are finding walleyes in 12-16 feet of water during the day with a jig and minnow, but during the evening hours, walleyes are sliding up as shallow as 3 feet looking for minnows and leeches. Here a slip bobber and a leech, large floating minnow bait, and jig and minnow have been very effective for catching walleyes.

Pike - Pike anglers continue to enjoy excellent pike fishing up in shallow bays. Similar to the walleyes, pike are on the move and cruising shorelines looking for an easy meal. Anglers fishing off their dock or a boat have been casting large spoons, spinnerbaits and floating large minnows under a bobber for trophy pike.

Smallmouth - Smallmouth Bass anglers were starting to find active smallies this last week. Anglers are finding smallies with suspending minnow baits, soft plastics and spinnerbaits. Key now, is to fish slowly. Water is still cold for the smallies and they are sluggish, but they are also very hungry too. Anglers are finding active smallies on large rocky flats, around islands with large rocky flats and along rocky shorelines.

Panfish - Crappie anglers are reporting that crappies are schooling up at the mouth of shallow bays and venturing into shallow bays as water temps climb. Crappie minnows and small hair jigs, fished under a bobber at the mouth of these bays, has been very effective for crappie anglers.

Stream Trout - Now that many anglers got their walleye fix, many have started to look to stream trout lakes. Anglers are finding aggressive trout cruising their favorite stream trout lake. Shore anglers are catching active trout casting small spinners, spoons and jigs. Anglers fishing from a boat are catching trout trolling small spoons and crankbaits. Trout are generally being found in 10 feet of water or less, anywhere in the lake, right now.

Lake Trout – Lake trout anglers were reporting good fishing this last week. Anglers fishing off their campsites, on an island near deep water, had success casting heavy spoons out into the deep water. Laying a dead smelt or sucker minnow off the bottom was also very effective for them. Anglers fishing from a boat or canoe reported catching trout with heavy spoons and deep diving crankbait, trolled out over 30-80 feet of water.

May 23rd, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - As water temps climb into the high 50’s walleye are on the move. While yes, you can still find walleyes hanging around spawning areas, but the majority of them have now left those areas. Now walleyes are cruising shorelines looking for an easy meal. Anglers are now working points, large shallow flats and river mouths. Anglers are finding walleyes in 12-16 feet of water during the day with a jig and minnow, but during the evening hours, walleyes are sliding up as shallow as 3 feet looking for minnows and leeches. Here a slip bobber and a leech, large floating minnow bait, and jig and minnow have been very effective for catching walleyes.

Pike - Pike anglers continue to enjoy excellent pike fishing up in shallow bays. Similar to the walleyes, pike are on the move and cruising shorelines looking for an easy meal. Anglers fishing off their dock or a boat have been casting large spoons, spinnerbaits and floating large minnows under a bobber for trophy pike.

Smallmouth - Smallmouth Bass anglers were starting to find active smallies this last week. Anglers are finding smallies with suspending minnow baits, soft plastics and spinnerbaits. Key now, is to fish slowly. Water is still cold for the smallies and they are sluggish, but they are also very hungry too. Anglers are finding active smallies on large rocky flats, around islands with large rocky flats and along rocky shorelines.

Panfish - Crappie anglers are reporting that crappies are schooling up at the mouth of shallow bays and venturing into shallow bays as water temps climb. Crappie minnows and small hair jigs, fished under a bobber at the mouth of these bays, has been very effective for crappie anglers.

Stream Trout - Now that many anglers got their walleye fix, many have started to look to stream trout lakes. Anglers are finding aggressive trout cruising their favorite stream trout lake. Shore anglers are catching active trout casting small spinners, spoons and jigs. Anglers fishing from a boat are catching trout trolling small spoons and crankbaits. Trout are generally being found in 10 feet of water or less, anywhere in the lake, right now.

Lake Trout – Lake trout anglers were reporting good fishing this last week. Anglers fishing off their campsites, on an island near deep water, had success casting heavy spoons out into the deep water. Laying a dead smelt or sucker minnow off the bottom was also very effective for them. Anglers fishing from a boat or canoe reported catching trout with heavy spoons and deep diving crankbait, trolled out over 30-80 feet of water.

May 16th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Anglers found walleye in a classic post spawn pattern, meaning mostly males and largely scattered but hungry fish. As usual, a jig and rainbow reigned supreme over opening weekend for anglers. Gold, gold/red, pink, blue were the top colors over the weekend for anglers. Anglers focused their efforts on current areas and large gravel flats in anywhere from 2 feet of water, down to as much as 16 feet of water. There was a handful of anglers who focused on these same areas with large floating rapalas, during the evening hours, and are being rewarded with some very large walleyes. Peak water temps reported were 53 degrees.

Pike - Pike anglers have not been disappointed so far this year. Anglers have been catching some very large pike with a heavy suckers floated under a large bobber. Shallow water, 10 feet or less has been best. Best areas to find these big pike has been in shallow mud bottom bays, near river mouths, but floating a sucker right off your dock or campsite, no matter the location, is always worth it this time of the year.

Stream Trout - While there were not a lot of stream trout anglers over opening weekend, there were still some who targeted streamers. With the late ice out, trout were located very close to shore and very high in the water column. Small spoons, small crank baits and spinners, casted along shorelines was every effective on hungry trout. Other anglers fishing from shore floated a night crawlers, about five feet under a bobber, and reported having good success.

Panfish - With several days in the high 70’s, crappies were being found in the shallow, mud bottom bays. Crappie minnow or hair jigs, suspended under a bobber was very effective. Pencil reeds and downed trees are areas to focus on within these mud bays.

March 28th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Crappie - Crappie fishing continues to be slower than usual for this time of year. With 10” of snow or more, on the ice, it may be a few more weeks before things really heat up. Anglers results have been mixed, with some doing good, while others struggling to find biters. Anglers finding biters stay on the move, looking for active crappies. Soft plastics in white, pink, and chartreuse have been very effective in catching active crappies. Less active crappies have been hitting crappie minnows and wax worms. Key locations have been in 20-30 feet of water, over mud flats. 

March 14th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing generally improved this last week for many anglers. While tip ups fished with a dead or live minnow on the bottom continues to be you best bet for a trout, anglers reported having good success with bucktails and jigging spoons. 30-50 feet of water, around sunken islands and mud flats continues to be the areas to focus on when targeting lakers. 

Eelpout - Eelpout continue to be active this last week as they rap up their spawning. Heavy jigs, tipped with minnows and pounded on the bottom, around river mouths or sunken islands has been very effective on eelpout. Key depths vary night to night, so be sure to look for active eelpout before setting up. 15-35 is generally the best depth for them. 

Panfish - Panfish activity has slowly been increasing as days get longer and warmer. Recent snow events haven’t helped the bite, but anglers adventuring out did manage to catch some crappies and sunnies. Classic deep mud flats are the areas to target panfish. Small crappie minnows were very effective on both crappies and sunnies this last week. 

March 7th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout anglers reported having a good weekend of trout fishing finally. Anglers found active trout up on classic lake trout spots such as sunken islands, main lake points and neck-down areas between islands. 30-50 feet of water was the depth to be in. Spoons, and bucktails around 3” in size continue to be the best size to get bites. Dead or alive suckers laying on the bottom have accounted for almost half of the lakers caught this winter, so be sure to tip-ups out with a minnow on the bottom. 

Stream Trout - Stream trout were active this last week, with some very big splake caught from some of the less pressured lakes in the area. Large splake were found in 20-40 feet of water, with spoons tipped with minnow heads. Rainbows and brookies were found in shallower water near downed trees. Here tungstens tipped with waxies was very effective on them. Early morning hours were the best time to fish for them. 

Panfish - With warm temperatures, anglers were out looking for crappies and sunnies. Seemed only a few anglers went home disappointed. Crappies and sunnies continue to be found out in 20-30 feet of water, over deep mud flats. Crappies and sunnies have simply been cruising around the mud flats looking for bugs and minnows. Small tungsten jigs tipped with soft plastics, wax worm or crappie minnows has been very effective.