Frequently Asked Questions
Top Bait & Tackle Questions from Ely MN Anglers
How many leeches per person, per day for BWCA walleye?
This is always a tough question to answer because this depends on how much fishing you plan on doing. Good rule of thumb is one pound of leech for every two anglers, per week. This breaks down to 1/2 a pound per or about a dozen leeches per angler, per day. *Remember! Buying in bulk is cheaper!
Best bait for BWCA smallmouth bass in summer?
This really depends a lot on the time of year. Following our weekly fishing report before you come to the BWCA can really go a long ways to steering you in the right direction for what to have. We also carry everything you will need for smallmouth bass, no matter what is happening with the bite, in our store.
Do you sell frozen bait for ice fishing?
Yes — smelt in vacuum-sealed packs perfect for tip-ups and dead-sticking lake trout or northern pike.
Are you guys open year around?
Yes! Our hours vary depending on the time of the year so be sure to check out our Contact page to see our hours.
Do you carry tackle for lake trout?
Absolutely — we carry the largest selection of lake trout tackle found in Minnesota and much of it is custom made for our store exclusively!
What kind of live bait do you have in stock?
We provide a current live bait update on our home page. You can also always call our shop at 218-365-5358
How do I keep leeches alive on a week-long canoe trip?
Store them in our leech locker locker, out of the sun and ideally sunken into cool lake water. Change water daily. Leeches are very tough and customers commonly keep our leeches for months, but if you leave them in the sun and they get hot, they will die quickly. During the hottest times of the year here this can happen in minutes, so take care of them!
*Quick Tip: from Steven Renneberg “Don’t be afraid to bring extra bait or a little extra tackle on BWCA trips. A hot bite or lost tackle happens to everyone — better to have leftovers than run out on day three!”
