April 23rd, 2026
***Ice Out Report***
Ice is coming off lakes west of Ely right now. Lake Vermillion, Clear Lake, Robertson Lake and much of Birch Lake (south of Ely) is either completely ice free or almost ice free. With as much as 2” of rain forecasted by Wednesday next week 4/29, we expect ice out on many more lakes, to happen every soon.
No worries of ice covered lakes for fishing opener in the Ely area, in fact, if you have a cabin in the Ely area, next weekend likely would be a good weekend to put the dock in. As usual, the further east you plan to go for fishing opener (east of Snowbank Lake), the greater the chance you may run into ice in the BWCA
MNDNR has started netting and stripping walleyes on Lake Vermillion’s Pike River. Expect that to wrap up sometime next week.
***Live Bait Status***
Trappers are still waiting for many of their small ponds to open up and start warming up so the minnows will start running and leeches to get active. With water levels a little on the low side right now, rain will only help to raise the ponds up, warm the water or get the last of the ice off the ponds. All good things for the minnow trappers. We have yet to receive any minnows from our trappers, but this is normal. Often minnows and leeches really start moving and trapping during the week of fishing opener.
Shagawa Lake public access on April 22nd, 2026 in the afternoon after a warm 75 degree day. Rotten ice is breaking up on the main lake while open water sits right at the landing. This is the sign that spring is here and open water fishing season is right around the corner in the Ely MN area near the BWCA. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh bait, jigs, line, and everything you need to get ready for the opener.
Fall Lake public access on April 21st, 2026 on a sunny warm day. The ice is coming off with open water right at the landing and the main lake still holding some ice further out. Zero worries here about having ice for the 2026 Minnesota Fishing Opener. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh bait, jigs, line, and everything you need to get ready for the fishing opener.