May 31st, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - As water temps climb into the high 50’s walleye are on the move. While yes, you can still find walleyes hanging around spawning areas, but the majority of them have now left those areas. Now walleyes are cruising shorelines looking for an easy meal. Anglers are now working points, large shallow flats and river mouths. Anglers are finding walleyes in 12-16 feet of water during the day with a jig and minnow, but during the evening hours, walleyes are sliding up as shallow as 3 feet looking for minnows and leeches. Here a slip bobber and a leech, large floating minnow bait, and jig and minnow have been very effective for catching walleyes.

Pike - Pike anglers continue to enjoy excellent pike fishing up in shallow bays. Similar to the walleyes, pike are on the move and cruising shorelines looking for an easy meal. Anglers fishing off their dock or a boat have been casting large spoons, spinnerbaits and floating large minnows under a bobber for trophy pike.

Smallmouth - Smallmouth Bass anglers were starting to find active smallies this last week. Anglers are finding smallies with suspending minnow baits, soft plastics and spinnerbaits. Key now, is to fish slowly. Water is still cold for the smallies and they are sluggish, but they are also very hungry too. Anglers are finding active smallies on large rocky flats, around islands with large rocky flats and along rocky shorelines.

Panfish - Crappie anglers are reporting that crappies are schooling up at the mouth of shallow bays and venturing into shallow bays as water temps climb. Crappie minnows and small hair jigs, fished under a bobber at the mouth of these bays, has been very effective for crappie anglers.

Stream Trout - Now that many anglers got their walleye fix, many have started to look to stream trout lakes. Anglers are finding aggressive trout cruising their favorite stream trout lake. Shore anglers are catching active trout casting small spinners, spoons and jigs. Anglers fishing from a boat are catching trout trolling small spoons and crankbaits. Trout are generally being found in 10 feet of water or less, anywhere in the lake, right now.

Lake Trout – Lake trout anglers were reporting good fishing this last week. Anglers fishing off their campsites, on an island near deep water, had success casting heavy spoons out into the deep water. Laying a dead smelt or sucker minnow off the bottom was also very effective for them. Anglers fishing from a boat or canoe reported catching trout with heavy spoons and deep diving crankbait, trolled out over 30-80 feet of water.

Angler in plaid shirt and green Arrowhead Outdoors cap beams proud near Ely, MN, May 31 2023, holding a massive walleye by the jaw amid dense pines and trail. Long, golden body stretches out with fins flared, jaws wide in dappled light – early-summer walleye slam! These fighters crushed jigs on rock humps that time of year. Pure Northwoods excitement – gets you pumped for more BWCA walleye, smallmouth bass, lake trout, or stream trout action!