May 13th, 2025
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye opener was on the slow side for walleyes over 20”. Numbers of small males, some still milking, was a common report from anglers. As of Monday night, reports of big walleyes over 20” started coming in, so it seems the big females are recovering from the spawn and are looking to put some weight back on. Anglers catching these big walleyes are saying a 1/4oz jig, tipped with big rainbows, pike suckers or lite northerns, is getting it done for them. River mouths and right off the dock have been the areas where this bite is happening. Why suckers? Suckers are spawning in the same rivers as the walleyes just did and walleyes are looking for an easy meal. White, pink and gold were the colors to have and 10-15ft.
Pike - Pike anglers reported some good pike fishing this last weekend. Large suckers, fished under a large bobber, was the ticket for catching some huge pike. Traditional spring pike locations like river mouths, large shallow bays and right off the end of the dock were all excellent places to catch big pike.
Crappies - With a week's worth of bright sun and calm winds, reports of anglers finding a good crappie bite started coming into the bait shop. Anglers have been finding nice crappies back in shallow bays, in the pencil reeds, during the evening hours. Warm water has been the key to catching crappies, so the shallow lakes in the area have been producing best for anglers. Hair jigs or small tubes, fished under a bobber have been the ticket here.
Smallmouth Bass - Smallies started showing up for anglers right away this year. Large shallow rocky flats have been the area to focus on for smallies. With water temps in the low 50’s at best right now, fishing slow has been the key to catching these smallies. Suspending jerk baits fished as slow as you can has been very effective for smallies. Another key is to fish later in the day after the water temps have had a chance to hit their peak for the day.
Stream Trout - Stream trout reports were limited this last weekend as many angler’s focused on walleyes. The few stream trout reports we got were all on the positive side. Anglers mainly caught rainbows while fishing with a slip bobber and a night crawler suspended about 5 ft under the surface. Small handful of anglers targeted brook trout with small silver and blue spoons, casting along shorelines with good success.
Lake Trout - Lake Trout reports were even more limited than stream trout. Few reports were from anglers that had limited success trolling deep diving crankbaits in 20-40 feet of water over deep mudflats.
A proud angler stands on his boat at dusk holdin' up a full stringer of six beautiful walleyes caught May 13th, 2025 – Minnesota Fishing Opener magic in the Ely MN area near the BWCA! These golden 'eyes shine with dark mottled backs, bright sides, and flared fins hangin' from the stringer in his hands, mouths open like they're still chompin' at the bait, while calm lake water reflects the twilight sky, distant pines, and islands in the background. The angler's grinnin' big under his cap and sunglasses, bundled in a green hoodie and tan pants, boat deck cluttered with rods, tackle boxes, and that fresh-caught smell in the air – classic opener scene with the sun settin' low and the water glass-smooth. MN opener walleye fishin' fires up strong up here, with fish movin' shallow to points, humps, weed edges, or rock piles in 8-20 feet hammerin' jigs tipped leeches or minnows, trolling crankbaits, or castin' spinners durin' evenings when they feed heavy after the long winter. The electric buzz of first legal day, boats out everywhere, and that rush of fillin' a limit like this make opener one of the best times in the Northwoods. These walleyes mix with northern pike topwater crashes, lake trout deep trolling, stream trout in the rivers, and smallmouth startin' to wake up for full action. Head to Arrowhead Outdoors, voted #1 Bait and Tackle Shop in MN, for fresh leeches, shiners, jigs, crankbaits, and all your opener gear to chase walleye limits, northern pike, lake trout, stream trout, and more right from the start. Opener success like this? Get after it!