December 30th, 2025

***Ice Report***

Finally some normal to below normal temperatures have Ely area lakes adding ice again. 15-18” of clear, solid ice is now being reported on Ely area lakes. Snow remains minimal and ice houses are becoming increasingly common on area lakes.

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing definitely slowed as the latest cold snap moved into the Ely area, but signs of it bouncing right back are being reported. Anglers catching walleye have been finding good numbers and good size walleyes in 24-32ft of water. Many anglers have noted that 2-5pm has been the best bite, but walleyes are being caught throughout the night and even in early mornings. Deadsticking a nice shiner or pike sucker has been getting bites, but walleyes have also been hitting jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head. Mud flats around sunken islands and rock piles on mud flats have been the areas to find active biters. 

Pike - Anglers reported some quality pike being landed inside and outside the BWCA this last week. River mouths or the mouths of large shallow bays have been where the best results have been coming from. Larger suckers or alewives, fished under a tip up, have been producing pike.

Panfish - Before this cold snap anglers were reporting that they were catching quality crappies and gills on area panfish lakes. Anglers continue to find panfish mainly on 20-30ft mud flats. Smaller jigs tipped with a wax worm or crappie minnow have been the most effective for these neutral to negative fish. 

Father and son with nice walleye caught ice fishing Ely MN BWCA Farm Lake December 2025