September 3rd, 2024
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Anglers are reporting that walleyes are quickly shifting to minnows as water temps begin to drop in Ely area lake. Location continues to be on the shallow side. 10-15 feet of water, and at times 5ft and even less, continue to be reported by anglers. Windy points, windy flats and river mouths. Orange, chartreuse, bubble gum and pink/white 1/4oz jigs, tipped with a large minnow, were very effective. Orange, chartreuse, red/white sinner rigs tipped with a crawler were also reported as being effective on walleye. Anglers have also been reporting that leadcore fishing small crankbaits has been very effective. Here anglers have been focusing on large flats in deeper water.
Smallmouth - Smallies continue to shift to sunken islands as temperatures continue to drop. Anglers should expect this to continue until winter. Large minnows have been extremely effective out here. Again, 1/4oz or 3/8oz jigs, in orange, chartreuse, pink/white and bubble gum, have been very effective. Anglers not able to carry live bait or don’t want to use it, topwater, in-line spinners, spinnerbaits and Ned rigs, continue to be effective. These anglers have been focusing around downed timber, large flats with boulders, river mouths and main lake points, in 5-15ft of water.
Pike - Large pike continue to show up in anglers catches this last week. Anglers have mainly been finding pike patrolling weedlines in 10-15ft of water with large sucker minnows, fished under a bobber, large spoons and spinnerbaits. Pike have also begun to stage at river mouths, looking for minnows to dump out of the rivers as water temps continue to drop.
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout fishing continues to be consistent on many Ely area stream trout lakes. Slip bobber and a night crawler, floating 5-15 feet under the surface has been very effective. Small spoons, in-line spinners and jig/twister have been very effective also. Anglers fishing from a boat continue to troll cowbells with small crankbaits for easy limits of trout.
Panfish - Crappies continue to be found hanging out just outside of weedbeds during the day, but during the evening hours, crappies quickly slide into weedbeds in search of food. Anglers targeting crappies continue to use small beetle spins, jig/twister and crappie minnows under a bobber. Sunfish continue to be found in shallow weedbeds and around downed trees. Small angleworms or wax worms, fished under a bobber remains very effective.
Lake Trout - Lake trout reports continue to be few and far between this last week. The few anglers targeting lakers have been trolling with down riggers and large trolling spoons in 40-60 feet of water with mixed success.
Early-fall walleye trophy! This angler from Ely, MN proudly hoists a massive walleye caught on September 3rd, 2024, right from the boat on a BWCA-connected lake. She's smilin' wide in a gray hoodie and bucket hat while grippin' the fish by the lip—walleye's thick golden flanks glow in the September sun, dark mottled back, orange fins flared, big glassy eye, and wide mouth showin' the pike sucker still hooked in. Calm blue water laps rocky shores behind, thick green pines towerin' under a gorgeous sky—classic Northwoods early-fall scene. Walleye were crushin' jigs or rigs tipped big pike suckers near deep structure as they fed heavy pre-cool-down—big baits for big fish. This giant captures the thrill: heavy live bait fight, scenic boat vibes, and the rush of a true trophy. At Arrowhead Outdoors, stock up on premium fishing tackle includin' pike suckers and live bait rigs for fall walleye success, plus hunting gear and camping gear for your Ely adventures. Come see us for the gear and tips!