June 18th, 2024

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Another week of unsettled weather and reports of mayflies hatching has the walleyes bite inconsistent for many this last week. Anglers catching walleyes are still finding them in shallow water. 5-15 feet, over sand or near current areas have been best. High water and strong flows have river mouths attracting good numbers of walleyes again. Anglers have been having good luck slip bobbering leeches, trolling crankbaits, jigs tipped with a minnow or crawler, or pulling lindy rigs with a leech or minnow. Popular colors remain gold, black/orange, pink/white.

Smallmouth - With water temps still hovering in the high 50’s to low 60’s, reports of smallies with eggs in them, are still coming in from anglers from many area lakes. These anglers have been throwing topwater baits, chatterbaits, Ned rigs and in-line spinners and have been having fantastic time catching smallies. Anglers should keep focusing on shoreline flats, downed trees and current areas to find active smallies. 

Crappies - As with smallies, anglers are still finding dark colored crappies on many of the area's bigger crappies lakes. On these lakes, anglers have been finding crappies at the mouths of shallow bays, around shallow rocks or weeds. Here, crappie minnow under a bobber has been very effective. On shallower crappie lakes, crappies have spawned and are now cruising around downed trees, lily pads and weedbeds. Here jig/twister, small beetle spins and a crappie minnow under a bobber have been effective.

Stream Trout - Stream trout fishing on some of the more popular stream trout lakes was a little slower than usual thanks to mayflies hatching. Many anglers reported that rainbows showed little interest in the usual stream trout baits, while anglers who switched to large hex flies reported excellent trout fishing. These large flies have been very effective during the evening hours when mayflies are hatching.

Pike - Pike fishing was steady this last week, but the size of pike has remained small (30” and less) for many. Anglers continue to have good luck throwing large in-line spinners, spoons and large paddle tails. Shallow weedy bays and river mouths are the areas to key in on if you're looking to catch pike.

Summer walleye success! This angler from Ely, MN proudly hoists a nice walleye caught on June 18th, 2024, right from the boat on a BWCA-connected river. She's smilin' wide in a gray Cumberland Ace shirt and black shorts while grippin' the fish by the lip—walleye's golden flanks shine in the sun, dark mottled back, orange fins flared, big glassy eye, and wide mouth showin' the pike sucker still hooked in. Calm river water laps rocky shores behind, thick green pines towerin' under a bright blue June sky—classic Northwoods summer scene. Walleye were crushin' live pike suckers on rigs near current and structure as they fed post-spawn—steady action and solid keepers. This catch captures the thrill: live bait bite, scenic boat vibes, and the rush of a great one. At Arrowhead Outdoors, stock up on premium fishing tackle includin' pike suckers and live bait rigs for walleye success, plus hunting gear and camping gear for your Ely adventures. Come see us for the gear and tips!