December 22, 2021
***Ice Report***
After a wild week of weather including over 1.5” of rain, then snow, we have had excellent ice making weather. Majority of anglers are reporting 8-11” of good solid ice on area lakes, a few brave anglers have been seen driving small truck on some area lakes. Slush has not been a issue for anyone. Won’t be long now and trucks will be a common sight on area lakes again. Ice roads continue to be maintained to popular spots.
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye anglers have been getting out their permanent houses out to popular walleye haunts and reports are showing it. Many anglers have reported good to excellent walleye fishing so far, during the evening and overnights. 20 feet of water continues to be the most popular depth for catching eyes along with a good lively minnow.
Pike - Pike angling continues to be excellent for many anglers, with many anglers catching their new personal best. Sucker minnows continue to be the most popular bait of choice, but it seems dead suckers have been a little better then alive. Anglers should focus on weedbeds, with green weeds, in 5-12 feet of water.
Crappie - Crappie anglers have finally started getting out to winter crappie locations and are catching fish. Anglers have been finding fish in 20-30 feet of water, in typical mud basins. Once anglers locate the crappies, a small crappie minnow, fished under a bobber, next too a actively fished jig and soft plastic, has been a deadly one two punch. Many anglers have reported catching good numbers and size crappies, so far this year.
This beauty from the December 22nd, 2021 timeframe nails the thrill of early-to-mid ice season in Ely MN's BWCA-area lakes— an angler grinnin' wide while holdin' up a beautiful walleye fresh from the hole, its golden flanks and dark blotches shinin' in the flash against a snowy white backdrop. The fish looks feisty and healthy, mouth open like it's still fightin', with the icy lake stretchin' out behind under a clear winter sky dotted with pines on the horizon—pure Northwoods solitude and success. Ice conditions were prime at 8–11 inches solid after cold snaps followed rain and snow, slush minimal, ice roads maintained, and early trucks even venturin' out. Pike were crushin' tip-ups in shallow bays and weedbeds with dead smelt or suckers for numbers and size, while walleye jiggin' clicked in deeper structure—rippin' spoons or shiners callin' 'em up. Crappies rounded out the fun with good hauls reported too, jigged through the ice in the right spots. No slush headaches, access easy on plowed roads to popular areas, and permanent houses sproutin' everywhere. This shot captures that adrenaline rush when the bite's on: quiet wilderness, thick safe ice, and a quality fish to show for it. At Arrowhead Outdoors, we were pumpin' out live bait, tip-ups, jigs, and advice nonstop that week—same as today for anyone chasin' pike, walleye, or crappie through the ice. These late-Dec 2021 updates still inspire winter plannin': stop by 1810 East Sheridan in Ely for shiners, suckers, sharpened blades, and the freshest scoop. Subscribe on arrowheadoutdoorselymn.com for weekly reports—don't miss the flags wavin' and lines tight up here in the Northwoods!