January 17th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - 2023 Lake Trout opener was a slow one for the majority anglers. Despite excellent travel conditions out on the ice and anglers able to fish great spots normally off limits to everyone but snowmobilers, lakers failed to show up. There were however a few groups that found active trout and really had a amazing day lake trout fishing. These groups found active trout on classic trout spots. Main lake points with sharpe drop offs were the areas these lucky group fished. Aggressively jigged tubes and spoons were the ticket for them, as well as setting out dead suckers, under a tip up. 30-50 feet of water was the best depth to find trout.

Stream Trout - Stream Trout fishing was also unusually slow for opening weekend also. Anglers did catch plenty of trout but many anglers struggled to get a limit of streamers for dinner. Anglers found trout near timber or weedbeds in 10 ft of water or less. Jigging spoons or small tungsten jigs, tipped with wax worms or dead minnow was the ticket for anglers. 

Walleye - Walleye anglers have been locating walleyes in really shallow water for this time of the year. 10-15 feet of water at the mouths of shallow bays has been best. Best times has been during the evening hours. Deadsticking a lively minnow on a orange hook has been the best technique. 

Pike - With the above average temps anglers continue to throw out tip ups for pike and continue to have good results. Active pike continue to be found is shallow bays with either a river coming into it or a weedbed in the bay. Dead suckers has been best, but live suckers have also been catching plenty of big pike. 

Angler in green jacket and orange Arrowhead Outdoors beanie smiles wide on snowy BWCA ice near Ely, MN, January 17 2023, holding a spotted lake trout in front of our red "FOR RENT" sign advertising bait, guides, and ice house rentals. Fish gleams with snow flecks, blue skies above, pines distant – winter laker success tied to Ely MN rentals! These deep-water fighters hit hard that season. Excited for more BWCA lake trout, walleye, or stream trout?