July 18th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Best walleye bite continues to be a shallow water bite. 7-9 feet of water been where the best bite is happening. Anglers catching walleyes here are either trolling crankbaits at about 2 mph, jigging leeches, crawlers and even minnows, or pulling spinner rigs. Shallow rocky points, shallow sunken islands and shallow rocky flats have been the areas to target. Hot colors have been Firetiger, purple and gold. 

Smallmouth - Topwater smallmouth bass fishing has cooled off some, this last week as cooler than normal temperatures settled in the area. Best bite has been subsurface and on spinners and Ned rigs. Points, shallow boulder flats, downed trees and a few reports out on sunken islands, has been the areas to check for bass. 

Pike - This recent cool snap has only improved the local pike bite on area lakes. Pike continues to be found in shallow weedbeds on area lakes. River mouth’s, mouths of shallow bays and main lake point are other areas to look for active pike. Spoons, spinnerbaits, and sucker minnows, fished under a bobber, continues to very effective on pike. 

Panfish - Crappies reports were surprisingly few and far between this last week. Reports heard, were good. Anglers are finding them around downed trees and weedbeds. Crappies are either holding right next to or just off them. Crappies minnows, jig and twisters and beetle spins have been very effective on crappies.

Bearded angler in blue tee and black cap beams proud on the boat near Ely, MN, July 18 2023, holding a solid walleye with golden flanks and dark saddles against calm blue water. Partly cloudy skies, rocky islands, dense pines backdrop the sunny scene – mid-summer BWCA walleye magic! These fish hammered jigs and leeches on deep humps that time of year. Pure Northwoods thrill – gets you pumped for more BWCA walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, lake trout, or stream trout action!