May 24th, 2022
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleyes have begun to move out of their spawning areas. Small walleyes continue to be caught in and near spawning areas, but walleyes worth bringing home, have begun to setup on shallow, rocky, main lake points and weedbeds. Anglers are finding walleyes in 10 feet of water and less. Pitching light jigs tipped with a minnow remains the most effective technique to catch these fish. Top colors continue to be gold, blue/white and pink/white.
Pike - Pike anglers have been reporting excellent fishing this last week. Lite northern and heavy suckers fished under a bobber has been very effective on area lakes. Shallow mud bottom bays and river mouths are the areas to fish for the big pike. Interestingly pike anglers have been catching good numbers of mid-30” pike, but the big girls, over 40” have been few and far between yet.
Smallmouth Bass - Smallmouth bass have begun to show up in anglers catches. Smallies are being caught in shallow bay, over boulders, with slow moving baits. Suspending jerk baits, fished very slowly, has been extremely effective on these sluggish bass.
Stream Trout - Rainbows and brookies have been very active this last week. Anglers fishing from shore have been catching good numbers of both on small spoons or jig/twister. Anglers fishing from a boat have been trolling small crankbaits or cowbells, and reporting good success.
Boom, what a dandy—this photo from around the May 24th, 2022 report timeframe nails the steady walleye action in Ely MN's BWCA waters. A happy angler stands in the boat holdin' a prime walleye high, its dark back and golden flanks with those signature blotches shinin' even under the gray overcast sky, mouth open wide showin' off the teeth as water drips off. The calm lake surface reflects the thick pine forest linin' the shore, stretchin' out to that classic Northwoods horizon—no waves, just peaceful open water perfect for post-opener drifts. He's in a green jacket and camo Chevrolet cap, smilin' big while grippin' the fish carefully, rod rigged and ready in the background for the next cast. This captures the sweet spot right after opener: walleyes shiftin' from spawn areas to shallow rocky main lake points and weedbeds in 10 feet or less, where pitchin' light jigs tipped with lively minnows proved deadly—top colors stayin' gold, blue/white, and pink/white. Pike reports were excellent that week too, with anglers droppin' lite northern or heavy suckers under bobbers in shallow mud-bottom bays and river mouths for good numbers and sizes (mid-30" common, though big females over 40" still a bit scarce while recoverin' from spawn). Smallmouth bass started showin' up in catches, hittin' slow-movin' suspendin' jerk baits over boulders in shallow bays. Stream trout kept active with rainbows and brookies—shore anglers scorin' on small spoons or jig/twister combos, boat folks trollin' small crankbaits or cowbells for good success. The image radiates that early-season joy: fresh open water, light crowds, hot bite on jigs/minnows, and a quality walleye makin' the day. At Arrowhead Outdoors, we were stocked heavy with minnows, light jigs in those colors, suckers, jerk baits, and tips back then—same today for anyone targetin' BWCA walleye or pike. Swing by 1810 East Sheridan in Ely for live minnows, gold/blue/white jigs, crawlers, and the latest scoop. Subscribe on arrowheadoutdoorselymn.com to catch every update—nothin' like the walleye runnin' shallow and eager up here in the Northwoods!