February 13th, 2024

***Ice Report***

Another warm week, with rain, then freezing temperatures have actually improved ice conditions on Ely area lakes. What little snow we had on the ice, is now largely gone thanks to the rain we got last week. Freezing temperatures and high winds quickly locked up any standing water. 12-16” of ice is being reported on just about all Ely area lakes. Lake trout anglers are still finding pockets of 8-9” of ice on lake trout lakes. These reports have been keeping anglers from driving out on the ice, so 4 wheelers and side by side continue to be the best way to travel on local lakes. 

***Fishing Reports***

Lake Trout - Lake trout reports were good going into the weekend, but as the weekend wrapped up, the bite had slowed. Anglers have been reporting that bigger lakers were flying high, right under the ice. Small lakers were staying tight to the bottom. Those high flyers have been very challenging to get to bite. Many anglers have been saying they fly in, look, gone. Lakers on the bottom have been hitting small suckers or rainbows, right on the bottom, in 30-50 feet of water. 

Walleye - Walleye fishing suddenly improved pre rain and even post rain. Time of day has not changed. It’s still a evening and after dark bite, but many anglers reported that walleyes were hitting jigging spoons again, as well as rattle reels. Rainbows and pike suckers were the most effective minnow and 20-25 feet of water, over deep mud. 

Crappie - Crappies were really starting to get active last week, until the rain started. Anglers were finding active crappies 10-15 feet off the bottom in 20-30 feet of water. Small tungsten jigs, tipped with soft plastics, waxies or crappie minnows. 

Eelpout - Eelpout continue to keep popping up in anglers catches as they continue to get more and more active during the evening and overnight hours. Heavy jigs and bright glowing tubes, both loaded with minnow or smelt chunks and pounded on the bottom, has been very effective. Depths anglers are reporting is different every night, but have been between 30-60 feet of water, over deep flats, around sunken islands are along sharpe drop offs. 

Winter laker masterpiece! This angler from Ely, MN proudly holds a massive lake trout caught on February 13th, 2024, on snowy open ice in a BWCA-connected lake. Rockin' an Arrowhead Outdoors cap, heavy black-gray suit with orange trim, and beard frosted, he's grinnin' wide while grippin' the fish vertically. The laker's a beauty: thick bronze-olive body sparklin' with light spots, orange fins flared, broad head with big eye and open mouth showin' the white Laker Tackle tube jig hooked in—fresh from deep jiggin'. Snow dusts the angler and fish, wide-open frozen lake behind under partly cloudy skies, distant pines frammin' the Northwoods winter scene. Mid-February brought thick ice for slow-jiggin' Laker Tackle tubes over structure—soft action mimics baitfish for big strikes. This haul captures the thrill: deep fight, cold air, and trophy reward. Rent a heated ice house from Arrowhead Outdoors to stay warm chasin' these! Grab premium fishing tackle includin' Laker Tackle tubes, plus hunting gear and camping gear for your Ely trips. Come see us for gear and tips!