Welcome to Arrowhead Outdoors' Ely MN Fishing Reports—your trusted source for Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) fishing reports since 2017.
Weekly fishing reports are written by Steven Renneberg, owner of Arrowhead Outdoors since 2017. Steven has a lifetimes worth of fishing experience chasing fish throughout northern Minnesota and is eager to teach others on how to catch fish. This experience and willingness to teach others has helped Arrowhead Outdoors be voted as Minnesota’s top bait shop and tackle shop since 2022. Steven’s fishing reports are no fluff—just practical advice to shorten the time between bites, updated weekly.
Nov. 22, 2020
Classic early-winter Northwoods moment on an Ely-area lake in the BWCA gateway—an angler stands on fresh snow-covered ice, proudly holding a nice walleye vertically against the winter backdrop. The 'eye is a keeper: golden-olive flanks, dark mottled back, white belly, glassy eyes—fresh from the first safe ice. Snowy lake and distant pines behind—pure thrill of kicking off the season in BWCA walleye country with "Winter is Coming!"
Oct. 13, 2020
Solid Northwoods fall moment on an Ely-area lake in the BWCA gateway—an angler stands on the boat deck under partly cloudy skies, proudly holding a fresh walleye vertically by the lip. The 'eye is a keeper: golden-olive flanks, dark mottled back, white belly, glassy eyes—still fresh from the water. Calm lake reflects trees and sky, green shoreline behind—pure thrill of a productive October day in BWCA walleye country.
Oct. 6, 2020
Great Northwoods fall moment on an Ely-area lake in the BWCA gateway—an angler sits on the boat deck under partly cloudy skies, proudly holding a big crappie vertically by the lips. The slab is thick: black-speckled silvery body, spiny dorsal flared, glassy eyes shining—fresh from deeper water. Calm lake reflects trees and sky, green shoreline behind—pure thrill of landing a solid BWCA crappie as fall sets in.
Sept. 29, 2020
Solid Northwoods late-season moment on an Ely-area lake in the BWCA gateway—an angler sits on the boat seat under partly cloudy skies, proudly holding a fresh walleye on the stringer with thumbs up. The 'eye is a keeper: golden-olive flanks, dark mottled back, white belly, glassy eyes—still fresh from the water. Calm lake, green shoreline and pines behind—pure thrill of a productive fall day in BWCA walleye country.
Sept. 22, 2020
Killer Northwoods trophy moment on an Ely-area lake in the BWCA gateway—an angler stands on the boat deck under cloudy skies, proudly lifting a huge northern pike vertically. The pike is a monster: thick green-gray body dotted with yellow spots, massive head with open mouth showing sharp teeth, orange fins flared, forked tail curved—dripping from a solid strike. Calm water, distant pines and shoreline behind—pure thrill of landing a big BWCA "water wolf" in late fall.
Stop in today for fresh live bait to match the latest report — we stock premium crappie minnows, rainbows, shiners, leeches, and wax worms daily. View current live bait stock in Ely MN. Need pro tips or quantity guides for your BWCA trip? Check our FAQs or book a heated ice house rental for winter.