June 28th, 2022
***Fishing Report***
What a summer scorcher—this pic from around the June 28th, 2022 report timeframe captures the smallmouth explosion in Ely MN's BWCA waters. A thrilled angler beams while holdin' a hefty smallmouth bass high, its dark bronze back, vibrant green sides, and fiery red eyes gleamin' in the bright sunlight, mouth wide open with water drippin' after a fierce battle. The calm lake shimmers behind her under a vivid blue sky, thick pine forests and rocky shores framin' the horizon—pure Northwoods open-water paradise on a sunny day. She's sportin' a camo Arrowhead Outdoors cap, light shirt, sunnies, and that proud grin while grippin' the fish boat- or dock-side, rod rigged nearby for more casts. This shot screams the smallie dominance that week: fishin' outstanding for most anglers, with spawners and post-spawn smallmouth crushin' topwater lures like Whopper Ploppers, Torpedoes, and Pop-R’s—soft plastics via wacky rigging and Ned rigging provin' deadly in shallow bays loaded with structure. Walleye reports were mixed due to an emergin' mayfly hatch (not heavy yet but slowin' the bite)—anglers findin' 'em in shallow 6-9 feet on slip bobbers with leeches or out on sunken islands in deeper 15-25 feet pullin' Lindy rigs tipped with crawlers for consistent action. Stream trout (rainbows and browns) held strong: crawlers floated off the bottom or fished 10-15 feet under a bobber worked great, with dry flies in the evenin' mayfly hatch nailin' rainbows especially. The image radiates that mid-summer joy: warm sun, clear water, aggressive smallies, and a quality catch rewardin' the cast. At Arrowhead Outdoors, we were pushin' topwater lures, soft plastics, Ned rigs, wacky worms, leeches, crawlers, and tips nonstop that week—same today for BWCA smallmouth chasers or walleye anglers navigatin' hatches. Swing by 1810 East Sheridan in Ely for Whopper Ploppers, Torpedoes, Ned heads, live leeches/crawlers, and the latest reports. Subscribe on arrowheadoutdoorselymn.com to stay locked in—nothin' like smallies poundin' topwater up here in the Northwoods!
Walleye - Walleye anglers had mixed results this last week as mayflies begun hatching on many area lakes. While the hatch hasn’t been heavy yet, it has been enough to slow the bite. Anglers continue to find walleyes both in shallow water, 6-9 feet with slip bobbers and a leech or out on sunken islands in 15-25 feet of water, pulling lindy rigs tipped with a crawler.
Smallmouth Bass - Smallmouth fishing has been outstanding for just about everyone targeting them this last week. Smallies have been crushing topwater lures like whopper ploppers, torpedoes and pop-r’s. Soft plastics are also worth noting. Wacky rigging and Ned rigging have been outstanding!
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout and brown trout have been active this last week. Anglers have been catching both on crawlers floated off the bottom or fished 10-15 feet under a bobber. With the mayfly hatch going on, dry flies in the evening has also been very effective on rainbows in particular.