June 20th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye anglers continue to find walleyes in water 12ft or less. Shallow boulder flats or on top of sunken islands, has been the locations to look for. Reports of walleye throwing up crawfish has also been reported by several anglers. As a result, orange jigs and half a crawler have been very effective. Anglers are also catching walleyes with slip bobbers, spinner rigs and trolling large minnow baits over shallow flats. 

Smallmouth - Topwater fishing for smallies continues to be fantastic for bass anglers. Anglers continue to find bass on shallow boulder flats and around trees laying in the water. Classic smallmouth spots. Wacky worms, ned rigs and in-line spinners have also been very effective for bass anglers. 

Panfish - Sunfish anglers have been finding active sunnies in shallow weed beds. Small leeches, angleworms and waxies fished under a bobber has been very effective. Crappie anglers have had a harder time finding crappies this last week. Reports of successful trips have been few and far between. Anglers should be looking for crappies to slide into weed beds during the evening hours. Small jig and twisters, beetle spins and crappie minnows fished under a bobber has been effective for anglers. 

Lake trout - Lake trout anglers had a good week catching good number of trout. Anglers have been using trolling spoons and deep diving crankbaits, that dive to 20ft+. Leadcore will help pull these lures down to lakers. Lakers are being found between 20-80ft of water. 

Young angler beams wide in the canoe near Ely, MN, June 20 2023, holding a chunky smallmouth bass with bronze sides and big black eye against calm blue water. Rocky shores, dense pines, and islands backdrop the sunny scene – mid-summer BWCA bronzeback magic! These fighters slammed tubes and topwater on rocky points that time of year. Pure Northwoods excitement – gets you pumped for more BWCA smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout, or stream trout action!