***Fishing Report***
Walleye - With water temps now in the low 50’s, minnows continue to be the bait of choice for anglers targeting walleyes. Rumors have been flying that the turnover has happened or is going to happen. From reports from walleye anglers of walleyes being caught in 30-40ft now is a good sign turnover has happened in that lake. Most anglers are finding walleyes in 20-30ft of water now. Deep holes around sunken islands, sharp drop offs and deep flats have been the areas to look for bait and walleyes.
Smallmouth Bass - Smallies continue to be found out in sunken islands in that 10-25ft depth range. Seems like time of day and conditions above the surface determines where anglers will find the smallies. Sunny, calm, warm days, smallies will often be right on top of these humps. Cold, cloudy or early in the mornings, smallies will be on the edge or at the base of these same humps. If they are right on top, slow rolling a spinnerbait or deep diving crankbaits can be incredible. Cloudy days, drop shotting a minnow style bait up and down the edges of a hump can be incredible. Either way this bite will continue until water temps drop below 45 degrees.
Stream Trout - Brook trout, rainbow trout and splake continue to be easy pickings for anglers targeting them. Nightcrawler under a bobber, jig/twister and small spoons fished along shorelines has been tough to beat for shore or boat anglers. Cloudy days have been best, but on sunny days the evening and night bite has been excellent.
Pike - Pike anglers reported good fishing this last week fishing with large suckers under a bobber, soft plastics, spoons or crankbaits. Anglers continue to find pike on the main lake, rocky points with deep water close by, river mouths and shallow bays.
Darrel Winkelman holds up two giant smallmouth bass caught on an Ely area lake near the BWCA. Fall smallmouth fishing has been producing some real quality fish in the Ely MN area. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh bait, jigs, and everything you need to get on the water.