January 23, 2024

***Ice Report***

Ice conditions have slowly improved this last week on Ely area lakes. Shallower walleye and stream trout lakes, ice thickness is being reported between 12-15” of nice clear ice. Ice conditions on lake trout lakes are  now being reported between 6-11” of ice. 

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout have been unusually fussy this last week. While many anglers reported catching trout, many of them reported that lakers were reluctant to chase baits. When lakers get like this pounding the bottom can be very effective. Heavy spoons and bucktails, tipped with minnow chunks has been the best lures for this technique. Key depth has been that 30-50 feet of water, over flats. 

Walleye - Walleye fishing has now mainly become a overnight activity. As sleeper houses continue to pop up on area lakes, overnight fishing has become very popular. Houses placed in 20-25 ft of water, over mud, have been doing the best. Active rainbow under a deadstick or rattle reel has been accounting for the majority of walleyes being caught now. 

Stream Trout - Rainbows have been actively cruising just under the ice. Anglers have been deadsticking small jigs tipped with wax worms or salmon eggs about 3-6 feet under the ice. Splake fishing was good this last week too. Splake are being found deeper in 15-25 feet of water. Jigging spoons tipped with waxies or minnow heads, have been effective. Laying a dead sucker on the bottom has been effective for big Splake. 

Epic winter laker! This angler from Ely, MN proudly hoists a chunky lake trout caught on January 23rd, 2024, on open snowy ice in a BWCA-connected lake. Bundled in a hooded jacket with green accents, green beanie, and beard dusted with frost, he's grinnin' wide while grippin' the fish vertically. The laker's a stunner: 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 bait hooked in—fresh from deep jiggin'. Snowy ice stretches wide under cloudy skies, distant pines frammin' the classic Northwoods scene. Late January brought thick ice for targetin' lakers with slow-jigged Laker Tackle tubes—soft action mimics baitfish to draw aggressive strikes. This catch captures the thrill: heavy 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 winter trips. Come see us for gear and tips!