May 31st, 2022
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleyes continues to be very good for anglers. With water temps hovering around 55 degrees bait of choice can be difficult to figure out, lake by lake. Jig and a minnow continues to be the most productive bait right now, but soft plastics, crankbaits and a leech fished under a bobber, all are effective too. Thankfully depth range has been consistent. 14-17 feet of water, during the day, has been the key depth to fish. During the evening, a slip bobber and a leech, fish right off shore is slowing getting better and better. We want the water temps to hit 60 before it’s at its best.
Bass - Smallmouth Bass are starting to show up in anglers daily catches. Many anglers have been reporting bass up on there beds. Anglers have simply been fishing slow in shallow rocky bays with tube jigs, Ned rigs and suspending jerk baits, to catch them.
Pike - Pike anglers continue to catch good quality pike, up in the shallow bays and around river mouths. Anglers have been catching them with large suckers, fished under a bobber. For pike anglers unable to find suckers, large spoons, large spinnerbaits and large streamers will work just as well, in the same locations.
Panfish - Panfish anglers have reported finding sunnies and crappies up very shallow looking to spawn. Anglers have been catching them with either a small jig and minnow, worm or leech under a bobber.
Talk about a dandy smallmouth—this photo from around the May 31st, 2022 report captures the early-summer smallie surge in Ely MN's BWCA waters. A proud angler stands in the boat holdin' a stout smallmouth bass high, its dark bronze back, emerald-green sides, and fiery red eyes poppin' under the bright blue sky, mouth agape with water drippin' off after a hard fight. The calm lake gleams behind him, framed by thick pine forests and rocky shores stretchin' to the horizon—quintessential Northwoods open-water bliss on a sunny day. He's kitted in a light shirt and cap, boat seat and rod holders visible with a jerk bait or tube rig ready for more. This shot screams the smallmouth transition that week: fish emergin' strong in shallow bays over boulders and rocky points, crushin' slow-movin' suspendin' jerk baits, tubes, or drop-shot setups in 8-15 feet—perfect for sight fishin' or castin' to visible structure. Walleye reports remained solid on main lake points and weed edges, with light jigs tipped with minnows or crankbaits producin' steady action in 10-20 feet. Pike were excellent in shallow mud-bottom bays and river mouths, hittin' lite northern or heavy suckers under bobbers for good numbers and sizes (big females startin' to show up more post-spawn recovery). Stream trout kept deliverin' too—rainbows and brookies active from shore on small spoons/jig-twisters or boat trollin' crankbaits/cowbells in designated lakes. The image radiates that summer kickoff vibe: warm sun, clear water, eager smallies, and a quality catch makin' the day. At Arrowhead Outdoors, we were loaded with jerk baits, tubes, drop-shot rigs, minnows, and smallie tips back then—same today for BWCA smallmouth hunters or walleye/pike chasers. Swing by 1810 East Sheridan in Ely for live minnows, tubes, jerk baits, and the freshest reports. Subscribe on arrowheadoutdoorselymn.com to stay dialed—nothin' beats smallies turnin' on in the Northwoods!