August 4th, 2026
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye anglers reported a generally tough bite happening this last week. Anglers having success were generally covering ground to find active bites. Trolling #5-#7 crankbaits, with leadcore, in that 15-25ft of water, over large flats, has become the most effective way to catch walleyes right now. Colors to have, have been white, perch or yellow perch. Other anglers have been having luck trolling spinner rigs tipped with either a leech or a crawler. Which works better really depends on time of day, the lake and current weather conditions. Leeches might crush for an hour, then catch nothing the rest of the day.
Smallmouth Bass - Smallmouth bass fishing continues going strong across the area. Anglers continue to report a good early morning top water bite along shorelines, river mouths and in rivers. As that sun gets up anglers have been switching to paddle tails, urchin baits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and crank baits to keep catching numbers of smallies. Rivers, river mouths, large rocky flats and around sunken islands in that 6-20ft of water, have been producing numbers of fish.
Panfish - Crappie anglers continue to report good fishing for crappie on many Ely area lakes. Crappie anglers continue to find active crappies around thick cabbage, downed trees or standing timber. Anglers have been fishing with beetle spins, jig/twister or jig/paddle tails. That last hour of light continues to be the best time for the hottest crappie fishing. Sunfish anglers also are reporting that they are finding good fishing. Many of these anglers have been finding sunfish in sparser weeds and pencil reeds. Oftentimes the best depth to find them has been in 3-6ft of water. Red worms and wax worms, fished under a bobber have been best, but if you're looking for sunfish, start with a small beetle spin or twister. Covering water to track down fishing can be the difference in a slow day of fishing or a great day of fishing.
Stream Trout - Anglers reported good fishing for rainbow this last week. Due to the warm water temps, the best fishing was found around 15-20ft of water during the early morning, but as the sun got up and water temperatures rise, rainbows dropped down to 40-50ft of water. Anglers mainly trolled with cowbells, with a small brightly colored crankbait or small spoon to catch these trout.
Pike - Many pike anglers reported good pike fishing, but as usual for this time of the year, poke over 32” were few and far between. Trolling large spoons, crank baits or large swim baits along weed lines often resulted in very consistent fishing for anglers. Early mornings have been the best time for numbers and size.
Young angler Finn holds up a nice smallmouth bass he caught on Birch Lake on Friday, July 24th. He got it straight jigging with leeches and a jig he bought from the shop in about 10 feet of water. Early summer smallmouth fishing has been producing good fish in the Ely area and in the BWCA. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh leeches, jigs, and everything you need to get on the water.