June 27th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing can’t be fantastic all the time, even in the Ely area. Anglers have been struggling to stay on the walleyes this last week. Anglers catching walleyes have been reporting that they are finding them in 12-18 feet of water, out on sunken islands. Spinner rigs, tipped with crawlers has been best, but jig and half a crawler has also been very effective. Top colors have been orange, gold and pink. 

Smallmouth - Bass fishing too has slowed on some of the area lakes, but has changed very little on others. Topwater continues to be the way to go on the lakes where the bite is still good. Aggressive bass are being found on classic smallmouth locations like boulder flats, points and downed trees. If bass aren’t smashing topwater baits, wacky rigs have been extremely effective too, in the same areas. 

Pike - Pike have been active this last week. Anglers have been catching good numbers of pike under 30 inches with a few over 40 inches still being caught. Spoons, spinnerbaits, and suckers under a bobber have been effective for anglers. Wedline’s, river mouths and mouths of shallow bays has been the areas to key in on if you want to catch pike. 

Lake Trout - Anglers were doing good catching lakers this last week. Trolling with leadcore and trolling spoons, over 30-80 feet of water has been effective. Anglers have been finding lakers close to sunken islands and off points. 

Dad and his excited young son team up on the boat near Ely, MN, June 27 2023, holding a massive northern pike with dark spots and wide jaws against calm blue water. Sunny skies, rocky shores, dense pines backdrop the scene – summer pike thrill! These ambush predators crushed big baits along weed edges that time of year. Pure Northwoods family excitement – gets you pumped for more BWCA northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, lake trout, or stream trout action!