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.

Young angler with curly hair and braces beams ear-to-ear on the boat near Ely, MN, August 15 2023, holding a solid walleye with golden flanks and dark saddles against calm water. Evening light glows, rocky shores and dense pines backdrop the scene – late-summer BWCA walleye magic! These fish crushed jigs and leeches on deep humps that time of year. Pure Northwoods thrill – gets you pumped for more BWCA walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, lake trout, or stream trout action!