October 6th, 2026
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Anglers reported a steady increase in surface water temperatures this last week that resulted in a mixture of reports and what was the best bait for them. Water temperatures returned to the mid-60’s which seemed to cool off the minnow bite, quite a bit for some. Spinner rigs tipped with either a crawler or a minnow seemed to be the most effective to find bitters. Most anglers fishing this way found walleyes in 20-25ft of water. Often time while working around sunken islands, sharp breaks and river mouths. If you're looking for a trophy walleye there remains a handful of anglers that continue to report catching big walleyes in water depths of 5-12ft of water while floating a large sucker under a bobber looking for pike.
Smallmouth - Just like with the walleye fishing, the smallmouth bass bite cooled off some this last week as water temperatures rose. Best location continues to be out on top of sunken islands in that 8-20ft of water. Right on top is where the most active smallies are being found. Anglers have been having good luck with crankbaits, swimbaits and drop shotting either crawfish or minnow style soft plastics.
Stream Trout - Stream trout anglers continue to report really consistent angling this last week. Shore anglers and boat anglers alike have been catching rainbows with a night crawler 5-10ft under a bobber. Spoons, jig/twister and small brightly colored crankbait are also really starting to become really effective for all anglers now too. Shore anglers have also been catching some Splake as Splake start checking out gravel bars to spawn on. Floating a night crawler 1-3ft off the bottom is very effective here.
Pike - Pike angler fishing from their docks with large suckers reported catching some quality pike this last week. Anglers fishing from a boat reported finding quality pike around river mouths and large rocky main lake points. As water temperatures drop, minnows will start dropping out of the rivers. Pike, walleyes and smallies all know this and are waiting for them. Ciscos and whitefish will be looking to spawn soon too. Rocky main lake points and river mouths are where they spawn. Again, trophy pike know this and wait for them to show up.
Panfish - Panfish reports were few and far between this last week. The few reports we heard this last week came from anglers finding them in 12-18ft of water. Anglers catch them fishing a crappie minnow on a drop shot or jigging a jig/twister.
An angler holds up a trophy walleye caught on a big minnow on an Ely area lake near the BWCA. Fall walleye fishing with large minnows has been producing solid fish in the Ely MN area. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh big minnows, jigs, and everything you need to get on the water.