March 12th, 2024
***Ice Report***
Ice conditions are quickly deteriorating in the Ely area. Shoreline ice is beginning to pull away from the shorelines, cracks are opening up out on area lakes and open water is being reported on many area lakes. 4 wheeler and side by side travel, over ice, is no longer recommended. Foot travel only now. Anglers looking to still ice fish should look to smaller lakes, to get out on. The smaller the better your odds are to get out on them and fish.
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Not many anglers fished for lakers this weekend so reported are limited. The few anglers that went out generally reported slow fishing for lakers this weekend. Anglers continued to find lakers out over deep 60-80 feet of water. Small silver and blue, lipless crankbaits or tubes fished about 20 feet under the ice.
Crappie - Crappie fishing has remained largely hit or miss. Seems the majority of anglers are able to catch crappies, but size and numbers remains the main challenge. Anglers catching crappies have been with purple, white and pink jigs tipped with crappie minnows. More active crappies have been hitting soft plastics in red or white. Panfish are starting to school up in 15-25 feet of water.
Late-winter laker triumph! This angler from Ely, MN proudly hoists a hefty lake trout caught on March 5th, 2024, on snowy open ice in a BWCA-connected lake. Bundled in a dark hooded jacket with blue accents, he's smilin' wide while grippin' the fish vertically. The laker's a beauty: thick bronze-olive body sparklin' with light spots, orange fins flared, broad head with big eye and open mouth showin' the white Laker Tackle tube jig hooked in—fresh from deep jiggin'. Snow dusts the angler and fish, wide-open frozen lake behind under cloudy skies, distant pines frammin' the classic Northwoods scene. Early March brought thick ice for slow-jiggin' Laker Tackle tubes over structure—soft action mimics baitfish for aggressive strikes. This haul captures the thrill: deep fight, cold air, and trophy reward as the season nears its end. Rent a heated ice house from Arrowhead Outdoors to stay warm chasin' these! Grab premium fishing tackle includin' Laker Tackle tubes, plus hunting gear and camping gear for your Ely trips. Come see us for gear and tips!