July 21st, 2026

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye reports continue to be on the good to excellent side for many walleye anglers right now. Anglers continue to report that they are finding walleyes shallow in that 6-8ft of water, either over shallow rocks or in weedbeds. Many of these anglers have been slip bobbering a leech, pitching a jig and half a crawler or swimming paddle tails over these shallow rocks and weedbeds. If your not finding them in shallows be sure to check weedlines in that 12-16ft of water. Gold, orange and perch colored spinner rigs, tipped with either a leech or a crawler has also been very effective. Growing number of anglers are starting to find success trolling large crankbaits in that 15-30ft of water. These anglers have been trolling over large flats looking for active walleye. 

Smallmouth Bass - Smallmouth bass continue to be found just about everywhere right now. Large shallow rocky flats, rivers, downed timber, on and suspected just off sunken islands are all holding aggressive smallies right now. Anglers continue to catch them with topwater baits, urchin baits, chatterbaits, wacky worms, crankbaits and in-line spinners in that 6-15ft of water right now. 

Panfish - Crappies and sunfish continue to be easy to locate and easy to catch for many anglers right now. The best fishing for both species continues to be right in the thickest weedbeds you can find. Crappies have been hanging around the thickest clumps of cabbage, often time on the shady side of the cabbage. 1/16oz jig, tipped with a 2” twister and dropped in that shade is really producing crappies. During that last hour of light those same crappies start moving around those weedbeds looking for a easy meal. This is when swimming beetle spins, jig/twister and even small paddle tails, about 1-2ft below the surface is very effective. If you can’t find thick cabbage beds, downed trees also will hold crappies during the day. Sunfish anglers too have been finding sunfish in thick weedbeds and in pencil reeds. Small red worms or small leech’s, fished under a bobber has been lights out. 

Pike - Pike anglers continue to find lots of active pike patrolling weed lines and river mouths. Many anglers have been trolling large spoons, covering ground, looking for biters. Brighter the color of the spoon, the better. Anglers that prefer to cast for pike have been throwing spoons and large swim baits in these same areas. 

A young angler holds up a nice smallmouth bass caught last week in the Ely area near the BWCA. Mid summer smallmouth fishing has been producing good fish and good numbers of fish right now. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh bait, jigs, and everything you need to get on the water.