February 24th, 2026

***Fishing Report***

Lake trout - Lake trout anglers continue to report some great fishing, with a few really big fish mixed in with the reports. Anglers continue to report that sunken islands, that top out in 15-35ft of water, are the best place to find lakers. Chartreuse bucktails, red/white tubes and either a dead herring laying on the bottom or two minnows on a treble hook, about 2-3ft off the bottom have all been very effective.

Stream Trout - Anglers fishing popular stream trout lakes continue to report seeing lots of trout in the lakes and some good fishing. Small jigs or spoons, tipped with wax worms or a dead minnow, continue to work. Pink, white, and purple were the most popular colors used by anglers. Depths continue to be the same 5-15ft under the ice, while fishing over 20-70ft of water.

Eelpout - Lots of anglers set out in search of eelpout as we get close to the peak of the spawn on area lakes. Many anglers fished sunken islands that topped out in 15-25ft of water. Anglers used heavy jigs or spoons tipped with dead minnows, smelt or herring and simply pounded the bottom to attract eelpout. Reports of eelpout being caught during the day are starting to come in now.

Whitefish/tullibee - Both whitefish and tullibee are really starting to get active for anglers targeting them. Anglers have been finding them over deep mudflats ranging from 25-35ft of water. Small spoons or jigging raps in white and silver, loaded up with wax worms or minnow heads, fished about 15-20ft down and aggressively, has been the ticket.

Proud angler in camo cap and Striker bibs beams on a snowy Ely MN ice road, proudly displaying two chunky, silvery-scaled whitefish fresh from the catch. Big Lake Wilderness Lodge hat tops off the Northwoods look against a backdrop of winter pines and frozen lake—classic BWCA ice fishing thrill on Feb 24, 2026. These smokers are prime targets in deeper holes around Ely MN and BWCA waters right now!