May 12th, 2026
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - With water temps in the low 40’s walleyes were largely in post spawn, throughout the Ely area. With water temps this cold, minnows still have yet to spawn in area lakes. This is a great clue as to where anglers should be looking for active walleyes. Skinny water as shallow as 1 foot held aggressive walleyes during the evening, after dark and early morning hours. Many anglers focused their efforts in that 2-7ft of water range. Rainbows tipped on a 1/8oz jig and fan cast around shallow rock flats and river mouths. For angler fishing in the current driven areas, they had success fishing a little deeper waters in 15-24ft of water, with a jig and minnow. Many of the walleye being caught in the current were under 20'. Mostly males/eaters. No minnows, no problem. Long line trolling shallow swimming minnow baits, during the evening hours or after dark was also very effective for anglers. Swimming paddle tails and twister tails along windy shorelines, over rocks was also very effective for catching quality walleyes. Gold, blue/white and firetiger were all popular colors this last weekend.
Smallmouth Bass - Weather conditions over the weekend were not favorable for bass fishing, so as expected smallmouth bass fishing were very limited. With such cold water temps anglers need to slow way down to get bites. Medium to small suspending minnow baits are the best way to go right now. Be sure to fish these baits with an uncomfortably long pause, to get the bass to bite. Anglers should look for areas where there are shallow rocks that will absorb the warmth from the sun during the day, thus raising the water temps a few degrees around the rocks. This little difference is all it takes to really turn on the smallmouth and turn a slow day into an incredible day of bass fishing.
Pike - Pike anglers reported a slow start to their season. Only a handful of reports from anglers came in of pike being caught over 40” this weekend. The usual method was the best method. Large suckers fished under a bobber, back in the shallow muddy bays. Current areas just didn’t seem to produce as well as they normally do as water levels were higher than normal. Anglers throwing artificial baits did well with large swim baits and curly tails. Best depth for pike was 10ft of water and less during the brighter times of the day.
Panfish - Panfish anglers reported some good bites happening for crappies right now. These anglers found them at the mouths of bays where the panfish are looking to spawn in the coming weeks. Key depth for them was 15-25ft of water. Small 1/16oz jigs, tipped with a crappie minnow, were really effective.
Stream Trout - Stream trout reports were mixed this last weekend for anglers. Anglers fishing from shore reported a slow bite, fishing night crawlers under a bobber about 5ft under the surface. Anglers fishing from a boat reported better fishing, but they had to cover ground to find biters. Again key depth for them was about 5-7ft under the surface. Small, brightly colored minnow baits and copper backed trolling spoons were more effective for them.
Lake Trout - Lake trout reports were very limited as high winds keep angler seeking areas out of the wind. Still some anglers managed to connect with some big lakers with a jig and a minnow. Many of these anglers were actually looking for walleyes. Best depth was 12-20ft of water, back in bays protected from the wind.
A young angler holds up two nice walleyes caught with rainbow minnows on an Ely area lake. These are a great example of post spawn walleyes. Pair of nice males caught in a current area. Rainbow minnows are a top live bait for walleye this time of year – they work great on jigs or under a slip bobber. This is solid early open water fishing near the BWCA. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh rainbow minnows, leeches, and all your live bait needs. We restock weekly to keep the bite hot.