September 15, 2026
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Last week was a tough week for walleye anglers as a major cold front moved into the area. Many anglers struggled to find walleyes willing to bite after the front moved through. Before the front moved in, anglers were still finding walleyes trolling spinner rigs with crawlers in that 12-25ft range around sunken islands and transition areas. Trolling crank baits also continues to be very productive for anglers too. These anglers continue to troll large flats, again in that 15-25ft depth range, with #6-#7 size crank baits. Orange, perch and purple were hot colors this last week for walleye anglers. Remember, we are needing water temps to break into the 50’s for the fall minnow bite to really get going. Currently sitting in the mid 60’s.
Smallmouth Bass - While the smallmouth bass fishing didn’t quite slow up as bad as the walleye fishing, average size and numbers of smallie definitely dropped this last week. Anglers had to slow down and downsize their bait to get bites this last week. Small 2-3” crawfish or minnow style baits, fished on a drop shot in 6-25ft of water, slowly, definitely out produced everything this last week. As temperatures continue to drop smallies will continue to transition out onto sunken islands or main lake points that drop off into deeper water for the best bite.
Pike - Anglers definitely noticed a jump in pike activity this last week and weekend. Pike always seem to love those cooler, rainy days. Angler reported that fishing creek chubs and suckers under a bobber was excellent, but so was fishing with large swim baits, large spoons and crank baits for the pike. Anglers reported that they found the pike at the mouths of shallow bays, main lake points and river mouths, all with deep water close by.
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout continue to be very active and anglers continue to enjoy some really consistent fishing right now. Rather your fishing from a boat or from shore anglers continue to report great fishing with a slip bobber and a crawler about 5-15ft down. Early mornings or in the evenings, into the dark has been the best time for the shore anglers. Anglers fishing from a boat continue to catch lots of rainbows trolling small crank baits with leadcore or cowbells, about 20ft down, over anywhere from 30-80ft of water. As always with the crank baits, the brighter the better.
Lake Trout - Lake trout reports were few and far between as high winds kept many anglers off the deep water where many of the lakers are right now. The few reports that we got came from anglers that found lakers in 60-70ft of water, while trolling large spoons with downriggers.
Panfish - Panfish anglers also reported a tough week this last week. As water temps drop weeds start browning up and panfish start transitioning out into basins for the winter. Reports of crappies in the weeds is now really limited to the last hour of light when they move in to feed. When this happens beetle spins and jig/twister are very efficient in coving water and finding bitters. Sunfish are also in that transition phase too. Anglers can now expect to find some sunnies in remaining weedbeds and out in 18-25ft of water too. Wherever you find them wax worms or red worms fished on a jig continues to be very consistent for anglers.
An angler holds up a nice smallmouth bass caught on an Ely area lake near the BWCA. Early fall smallmouth fishing has been producing solid fish in the Ely MN area. Swing by Arrowhead Outdoors – voted #1 bait and tackle shop in MN – for fresh bait, jigs, and everything you need to get on the water.