February 1st, 2022
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing picked up this last week for many anglers. Anglers were finding lakers in 30-50 feet of water, along breaks to deeper water. Sharper the break the better this last week. Small, 1/2oz red and white bucktails and heavy spoons were the top producing lures for many anglers. Tip ups, with a small sucker suspended 5 feet under the ice, was also reported as very effective on trout.
Stream Trout - Stream trout anglers reported catching good numbers of rainbows in shallow water, near timber. Anglers caught them on small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms or small spoons tipped with wax worms. Splake were also being caught in shallow water this last week, with similar baits. Fishing near or in timber, was critical to anglers success!
Panfish - With warmer then usual temps this last weekend, many anglers went out in search of panfish. Anglers found crappies loosely schooled up over deep water, but reported poor fishing overall. Crappies and sunnies were sluggish and had to be coaxed into biting. Live minnows and wax worms were the best ways to catch these neutral to negative fish.
Eelpout - Eelpout reports have started to trickle in from area lakes. Anglers have been finding eelpout in deeper water, 40-60 feet of water, on deep humps a flats. Heavy pout pounder spoons loaded with pieces of minnows has been very effective on eelpout.
This gem from the February 1st, 2022 report brings the heat after a tough prior week—an angler grinnin' ear to ear while holdin' a prime lake trout fresh off the ice, its dark spots and sleek body shinin' against the snowy backdrop on a frozen BWCA-area lake. The vast white expanse rolls out under a winter sky, pine ridges distant for that true Northwoods isolation, with jig rod, bucktail, or tip-up setup visible nearby ready for more. Warmer weekend temps didn't slow things; lake trout action ramped up big-time, with anglers locatin' 'em in 30-50 feet along breaks to deeper water—sharper breaks outproduced flats, points, and islands. Small 1/2 oz red/white bucktails and heavy spoons crushed on the jig, while tip-ups rigged with small suckers suspended 5 feet down nailed suspended fish. Stream trout delivered too—good numbers of rainbows and splake in shallows near timber or weedbeds on small tungsten jigs or spoons tipped with wax worms; fishin' close to cover was key. Crappies and sunnies schooled loosely over deep water but stayed sluggish—live minnows or wax worms tempted the few that bit. Eelpout reports filtered in from 40-60 feet on deep humps/flats with pout pounder spoons stuffed with minnow chunks. Ice held strong for travel, no slush drama. This shot captures the turnaround thrill: crisp air, safe thick ice, and active fish rewardin' persistence. At Arrowhead Outdoors, we were stockin' bucktails, tungsten jigs, wax worms, suckers, and tips nonstop that week—same vibe today for BWCA laker hunters or stream trout chasers. These Feb 2022 reports keep the inspiration flowin' for winter trips: stop by 1810 East Sheridan in Ely for live bait, spoons, sharpened gear, and updates. Subscribe on arrowheadoutdoorselymn.com for weekly hits—nothin' like the bite pickin' up in the Northwoods!