September 17th, 2024

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Very unseasonably warm temps have largely shut down the fall bite. Instead trolling small crankbaits, with leadcore, continues to be the way to go for catching walleyes. Walleyes have largely been scattered over deep mud flats in 20-30 feet of water. 

Smallmouth - Smallmouth fishing has cooled some too as smallies have also become more scattered with the warmer water temps. Shoreline structures like downed trees, boulder points and flats in 5-15 feet of water, have all been holding active smallies. Rivers too are also worth noting. In-line spinners, spinnerbaits, beetle spins and topwater baits, have all been producing fish.  

Panfish - Crappies and sunfish don’t seem to mind this heat wave as they have been very active for anglers. Anglers continue to find them just outside or deep in the weedbeds. Small angleworms or waxies, fished under a bobber, have been very effective on those big gills. Crappies continue to hang out just outside the deep weed edge during the day, but as the sun sets in the evening, they slide up into the weedbeds to feed. Both locations they are hitting jig/twisters, beetle spins or a simple crappie minnow under a bobber.

Stream Trout - Rainbow trout have still been active, but have shifted to very late in the day, after dark or very early in the morning. Anglers continue to catch them from shore with a night crawler 5-10 ft under a bobber. Small spoons and jigs/twisters have also been producing here too. Anglers fishing from a boat continue to have luck catching rainbows trolling cowbells with small, bright colored crankbaits, out over deep water.

Early-fall largemouth monster! This angler from Ely, MN proudly hoists a massive largemouth bass caught on September 17th, 2024, right off the dock on a BWCA-connected lake. She's smilin' wide in a maroon "girls day" tee, khaki pants, and glasses while grippin' the bronzeback by the lip—fish shows off thick football-shaped body, dark green-black back, bronze-olive sides glowin' in the sun, huge mouth open, red eye glarin', and flared fins after a solid strike. Calm blue water laps rocky shoreline behind, thick green pines towerin' under a bright September sky—classic Northwoods dock scene. Largemouth were crushin' near docks, weeds, and shallows with topwater, jigs, or soft plastics as they fed heavy pre-cool-down—big fish on big baits. This giant captures the thrill: explosive fight, scenic dock vibes, and the rush of a true trophy. At Arrowhead Outdoors, stock up on premium fishing tackle for largemouth success, plus hunting gear and camping gear for your Ely adventures. Come see us for the gear and tips!