June 25th, 2024

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing can’t be fantastic all the time, even in the Ely area. Heavy rains and heavy mayfly hatch has slowed the walleye bite down on many Ely area lakes. Heavy rains seemed to have pushed walleyes down to a depth of 20-25 feet of water over sand and mud flats. Lots of reports of mayflies hatching and anglers graphing clouds of them over mud. Walleyes have been right in with the mayflies. Medium size leeches fished under a bobber, jig or drop shot has been effective. Jig and half a crawler has also been worth noting. Pink/white, gold and green/chartreuse have been popular colors this last week. 

Smallmouth - Reports of smallies with spawn in them continue to come in on many area lakes. Unstable weather and water temps still fluctuating as low as 60 degrees seems to be the cause of this. Nonetheless anglers are enjoying excellent smallmouth fishing. All kinds of topwater baits continue to be very popular, but in-line spinners, Ned rigs, paddle tails and chatter baits also are producing good numbers of fish. All anglers are simply fishing shoreline structures like shallow boulder flats, downed trees and points.

Panfish - Finally some reports of good sunfish and crappie fishing is being reported on many of the shallower panfish lakes in the Ely area. Crappies and sunnies have been hitting jig/twisters, beetle spins, angleworms or small leeches, under a bobber, in 3-7 feet of water. Best crappie fishing has been the last hour or two of light on many lakes. Anglers should look to pencil reeds, shallow rock and weedy bays for panfish. 

Stream Trout - Rainbow trout have been taking full advantage of the mayfly hatch. Fly fishermen have also been taking advantage of the rainbows eating mayflies and have been throwing large mayfly imitations and simply letting them sit on the surface. For all you non fly fisherman, a night crawler set about 5-10 feet under a bobber has been effective. Trolling small spoons and small crankbaits has also been efficient on rainbows this last week. 

Pike - If there’s one fish that seems to enjoy the rains and cool water temps, it’s the pike. While overall size remains on the small side, good numbers of them are being caught by those targeting them. Classic daredevils, large spinnerbaits and buzzbaits have been very effective. Anglers should be looking to the mouth of shallow bays, river mouths and weedbeds for active pike. 

Summer smallie magic from the canoe! This angler from Ely, MN beams while holdin' a chunky smallmouth bass caught on June 25th, 2024, right in a BWCA-connected lake with Cast Outdoors Guide. She's grinnin' wide in a gray cap, sunglasses, red-black life jacket, and fuzzy hoodie while grippin' the bronzeback by the lip—fish shows off thick football-shaped body, dark green-bronze scales glowin' in the sun, red eye, flared fins, and wide mouth after a great strike. Calm blue water laps rocky shores behind, thick pines and overhanging trees towerin' under a bright June sky—classic Northwoods canoe scene. Smallmouth were hammerin' near points and reefs with topwater, tubes, or crankbaits as water warmed—aggressive bites and hard fights. This catch captures the joy: scenic paddle, expert guide help, and the rush of a bronze beauty. At Arrowhead Outdoors, stock up on premium fishing tackle for smallmouth success, plus hunting gear and camping gear for your Ely trips. Come see us for the gear and tips!