June 2nd, 2026
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye fishing just keeps going strong, but thanks to the jump in water temperatures, now averaging 68 degrees, walleyes are actively feeding on everything. Minnows on a jig or lindy rig, leeches on a lindy rig during the day or slip bobber during the evening and even crawlers tipped on a lindy rig or jig and half a crawler are all working great for walleyes right now. No matter what you are using, they all have one thing in common. During the day fish them in that 12-15ft of water range, right along the mud/rock transition lines. During the evenings the walleyes slide up to 2-8ft of water, again over the rocks. This is a great time to fish a slip bobber and a leech right off your campsite or dock. Paddle tails, jerk baits and minnow baits have been equally effective here too. Hot colors this week have been orange/chartreuse, gold, and pink/white.
Smallmouth Bass - With the sudden jump in water temps, bass through the Ely area are in full spawning mode. Many lakes may already be done. As the bass wrap up their spawning, it will take them a few days to recover, but when they do the hottest, funniest bite of the year, the topwater bite, will be in full swing. Classic topwater baits like torpedoes, skitter pops, spooks, poppers and whopper ploppers will be the baits to throw.
Panfish - Lots of reports of both crappies and sunfish spawning are being reported from all over the Ely area. Crappies and sunnies are both being reported being seen in water so shallow their fins are coming out of the water. Anglers have been having the best luck fishing with small hair jigs, fished under a bobber. Oftentimes anglers are doing best fishing these jigs without anything on them, just under a bobber. Key here is to simply hang your bait right in front of the fish as long as you can to get them to bite. Chartreuse, pink/white and white have been the hot colors this last week.
Pike - lots and lots of anglers reported excellent pike fishing this last week while fishing a large sucker, under a bobber, right off the dock in 6-12ft of water. Large soft plastic swim baits were also reportedly very effective on huge pike. Areas to focus on are emerging weeds, river mouths and the mouths of shallow bays.
Lake Trout - Lake trout anglers continue to enjoy some good lake trout fishing this last week. Success seemed equal rather you were trolling deep diving minnow baits, spoons or vertically jigging tubes or bucktails over deep water. Thanks to the jump in water temps, the majority of lakers are being found in 25-50ft of water now.
Stream Trout - Thanks to reports of freshly stocked trout in many of the more popular stream trout lakes, fishing was very good this last week. Many anglers reported that casting small spoons, small brightly colored minnow baits, and floating a crawler under a bobber or off the bottom has been very effective. Anglers should focus in 10-40ft of water for active trout.
A nice lake trout caught the week of May 27th on an Ely area lake near the BWCA. The fish is a solid early open water catch with good color. Lake trout are starting to bite well this time of year. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh bait, jigs, line, and everything you need to get on the water.