January 6th, 2026

***Ice Report***

Ice conditions continue to improve to as much as 20” being reported on Ely area lakes. Recent snow falls are starting to limit travel on ice to plowed roads. Or tracked vehicles.

***Fishing Report***

Walleyes fishing has been good until recent days as several fronts came through and shut down the bite. Before the weather change walleyes were biting perch colored jigging spoons and rippin raps in 18-22ft of water. Rock piles on mud flats were the best areas to be fishing but mud flats in general continue to be best. Big walleyes caught over the weekend came with minnows set on rattle reels during overnight hours, in these same areas. 

Lake Trout (BWCA) - Anglers reported mixed results over the BWCA lake trout opener. Most anglers reported seeing very few trout and getting even fewer bites. Average size trout was on the small side too. Many anglers reported that lake trout were chasing early in the morning but as the day progressed they were less willing to chase, hugging the bottom. Anglers reported best action was in 40-60ft of water over deep flats near deeper water. Tubes with blades got the most attention for lakers.

Stream Trout (BWCA) - Brook trout anglers reported decent brookie fishing in 5ft of water or less. Areas around beaver houses, downed trees or transition areas were best locations for finding brookies. Small, flashy spoons in white, pink or wonder bread, tipped with a wax worm or salted minnows were very effective.

Panfish - Crappie and sunfish fishing has been up and down on Ely area lakes as one day we have spring-like temperatures then the next back to January-like temperatures. Regardless of what the temperatures are finding crappies out in 25-35ft of water, over mud flats. On good days crappies are aggressively hitting soft plastics and small jigging raps. On slow days you will have to downsize to wax worms on a small tungsten jig. Hot colors have been chartreuse, pink and purple.

Pike - With another wave of warm temperatures anglers took the time to set out the tip up on poplar pike lakes. Good numbers with a few big pike sprinkled were the results. As usual, river mouths, shallow bays and weedbeds were the best areas to find pike. Fishing with frozen smelt and medium suckers produced the best results.

Close-up of big northern pike on Laker Tackle tube ice fishing Ely MN BWCA Lake January 2026