February 5th, 2025
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Lake Trout fishing was good for many this last week. Anglers reported catching trout in 30-40ft of water. Flats and sunken islands have been the best areas to target for lakers. Blade baits, bucktails and tubes in silver, blue and chartreuse have been very effective on lakers. Suspending a sucker 5-10ft off the bottom, under a tip up, has also been effective.
Walleye - Walleye fishing has steadily improved this last week. Anglers have mainly been catching quality walleyes in 10-16ft of water, overnight, in their sleepers. Less active minnows like chubs have been the bait of choice for successful anglers. Glow demons in orange or green have been the colors to use.
Stream Trout - Splake were a popular catch this last week for many stream trout anglers. Salted crappie minnows or gulp minnows, tipped on a small tungsten jig or jigging spoon, has been very effective. Key depths for Splake has been 20-40 feet of water. Rainbow trout have also been biting for many anglers. Small jigs or spoons tipped with wax worms have been effective for them. Key depths for them has been 5-15ft under the ice over 10-40ft of water.
Eelpout - Eelpout continue to pop up in anglers catches. 6-12ft of water continues to be the depth anglers are finding them. Heavy spoons, loaded with minnow chunks and pounded on the bottom has been very effective. Areas anglers have been finding them has been river mouths and shallow rocks.
A seasoned angler proudly holds up a massive golden walleye fresh through the ice on February 5th, 2025 in the Ely MN area near the BWCA – this giant's got that classic dark back, yellow sides speckled dark, and flared dorsal fin showin' after crushin' a lively shiner. Standin' next to his rugged ATV on the snow-covered frozen lake, he's rockin' a bright green hoodie under brown bibs, glasses glintin', big smile under the gray sky with distant pines and scattered ice shacks in the backdrop. Mid-February walleye fishin' heats up with shiners on tip-ups or deadsticks – let that bait swim natural near bottom in 15-30 feet over humps or points, and big 'eyes charge in for the kill, especially when they're schooled and hungry in the cold. The quiet crunch of snow, vast white expanse, and that rod-bend thrill make these winter days unforgettable up here. These quality walleye mix with lake trout deep jiggin', northern pike tip-ups, stream trout shallow runs, crappie slabs, and more for full-on action. Head to Arrowhead Outdoors, voted #1 Bait and Tackle Shop in MN, for fresh shiners, chubs, minnows, tip-up gear, and our popular ice house rentals to turn your walleye hunts into cozy overnight successes chasin' giants, eelpout, tulibee, whitefish, and lake trout. February's deliverin' trophies – get out there!