March 2nd, 2022

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing has been up and down for angler this last week. One day trout are on the graph all day. Next day, same spot, it’s the dead sea. When trout are on the graphs, anglers are catching them with 1/2 to 3/4oz bucktails and tubes.  Best colors have been red/white, blue and pink. Interestingly, when anglers fishing humps and point are struggling, anglers fish deep water are making lots of trout. Seems to be little rhyme or reason to when this happens, but it’s happening. If your not marking at you usual spots, try deeper.

Eelpout - Eelpout activity has slowed as we have passed the February full moon. Eelpout continue to be caught, but the bite has largely been at night or very early in the morning or late in the day. Heavy jigs and spoons loaded with minnow chunks have been the bait to have for eelpout.

Stream trout - Rainbow trout have been active on area stream trout lakes. Best times have been very early in the morning. Small flies, tipped with wax worms has been very effective on these trout. Anglers have been finding trout very close to downed trees.  

February 15th, 2022

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing was slow for many anglers this last week. Anglers reportedly saw lots of trout on the graph and cameras, but often the trout wouldn’t chase or bite.  Anglers that caught trout were often using jigging spoons and anglers fished the trout more like a walleye then a lake trout. This means they kept the spoons moving but didn’t reel the spoon away from the trout. Sharper breaks seemed to produce more trout then deep flats, points and sunken islands.

Eelpout - Eelpout have become very active as they are starting to spawn on many of the area lakes. Anglers have been catching them during the day, evening and overnight on heavy glow spoons, pounded on the bottom. Rattle baits have also been very effective on eelpout too, so be sure not to overlook these baits.  Areas to focus on are near river mouths, sunken islands, large shallow flats.  Depth often varies day to day, so be sure to fish different depths.

Stream Trout - Anglers continue to have good luck catching stream trout this last week.  Anglers have been finding Splake and Brook trout shallow, in 10 feet of water or less, close to downed trees or weedbeds. Here, small spoons and tungsten jigs tipped with a wax worm or salmon egg has been very effective.  Rainbow trout have been found very shallow too, but more in the very early mornings and later in the evenings.  During the day, rainbow trout are being found out over deeper water, often cursing just under the ice to 20 feet down. Same baits used for Splake and brookies will work for rainbows. 

February 8th, 2022

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing was slow to very slow for the majority of lake trout anglers this last week. Anglers struggled to even mark fish, let alone get fish to chase.  Anglers able to catch fish reported that bites were very light and trout had to be worked more like a walleye in order to get them to bite.  Small, but heavy spoons were the most effective baits last week.

Stream Trout - Stream trout anglers reported good fishing this last week. Anglers targeting Splake, found them in shallow water, 10 feet or less. Small spoons and small jigs tipped with wax worms was the most effective baits this last week. Anglers targeting rainbows found rainbows in deeper then normal water.  15-20 feet of water was the best depth to find active rainbows. Here again, small jigs tipped with wax worms or salmon eggs were the best baits. 

Panfish - With warmer temps anglers continue to poke around looking for panfish, but reports continue to come back as poor. Anglers are finding some crappies very loosely schooled over deep water, but largely very negative. Anglers managed to catch a few crappies worth taking home with small crappie minnows or soft plastics. 

Eelpout - Eelpout reports continue to improve as we get closer and closer to their spawn.  Anglers are finding active Eelpout around sunken islands, river mouths and large flats near deep water. Anglers have been doing best with heavy glow spoons, loaded with pieces of minnows and pounded on the bottom. After dark has been best but there has been a few reports of eelpout caught during the day now.

February 1st, 2022

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing picked up this last week for many anglers. Anglers were finding lakers in 30-50 feet of water, along breaks to deeper water. Sharper the break the better this last week. Small, 1/2oz red and white bucktails and heavy spoons were the top producing lures for many anglers. Tip ups, with a small sucker suspended 5 feet under the ice, was also reported as very effective on trout. 

Stream Trout - Stream trout anglers reported catching good numbers of rainbows in shallow water, near timber. Anglers caught them on small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms or small spoons tipped with wax worms. Splake were also being caught in shallow water this last week, with similar baits. Fishing near or in timber, was critical to anglers success!

Panfish - With warmer then usual temps this last weekend, many anglers went out in search of panfish. Anglers found crappies loosely schooled up over deep water, but reported poor fishing overall. Crappies and sunnies were sluggish and had to be coaxed into biting. Live minnows and wax worms were the best ways to catch these neutral to negative fish.  

Eelpout - Eelpout reports have started to trickle in from area lakes. Anglers have been finding eelpout in deeper water, 40-60 feet of water, on deep humps a flats. Heavy pout pounder spoons loaded with pieces of minnows has been very effective on eelpout.

January 25th, 2022

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing slowed to a grind, this last week for anglers and local guides alike. Seemed all anglers reported seeing only a few trout a day and often trout were not to interested in chasing baits.  Still a few anglers managed to find trout, but in less traditional locations.  Best reports were from anglers fishing in 80+ feet deep, catching lake trout about 40 feet down. Spoons produce best this last week, but tube baits and bucktails also produced fish. 

Stream Trout - Stream trout anglers continue to catch limits of stream trout, but anglers are noticing that getting a limit is becoming harder and harder with every passing day on the more popular stream trout lakes. Rainbow trout continue to bite small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms about 10-15 feet down. Anglers catching Splake and Brook trout have been doing best in 5 feet of water or less. Here flashy spoons tipped with wax worm or minnow heads, has been very effective.  

Walleye - Walleye anglers continue to grind it out, but this is normal for this time of the year. Anglers have been catching only a few walleyes a night or early morning. Every day seems to be different for many anglers, but some quality walleyes are being caught when bite.  Deep mud flats in 22-25 feet of water has been most productive. Here minnows hanging under a rattle reel has been very hard to beat, but rippin raps and classic buckshot spoons are also accounting for some fish. 

January 18, 2022

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Opening weekend was a excellent weekend for many lake trout anglers.  Almost all anglers reported graphing multiple trout, over the course of the day and many reported limiting out the first day. Anglers found active lakers in the usual 30-50 feet of water, around sunken islands, large main lake points and neck down areas.  Blue and pink bucktails, large spoons and tube jigs, all actively jigged, caught good numbers of trout. Some anglers reported only catching trout on live bait, fished on the bottom, under a tip up, so be sure to always fish two lines when lake trout fishing. 

Stream Trout - As usual, stream trout anglers had little issue catching their limit of trout on opening day. Small tungsten jigs, tipped with a wax worm accounted for many of the best catching reported. After opening day trout were very shy of baits, but non the less anglers adjusted and continued to catch fish. Small tungsten jigs tipped with either wax worms or single salmon egg, ever so lightly jigged, got bites. Jig to aggressively and trout would turn their noses up at it and swim away. Shallow areas with timber, produce the most trout for anglers.

Walleye - Walleye anglers have begun to catch a few walleyes. Anglers have been reporting that they are finding active walleyes in 20-23 feet of water, largely close to deep basins. Minnows fished under rattle reels has been tough to beat. Bite windows continue to be all over the place, but evening and after dark has been the best for anglers. 

December 28th, 2021

***Ice Report***

Ice conditions continue to improve in the Ely area. 11-14” of good solid ice is being reported on the majority of Ely area lakes. With enough ice for trucks, plowed roads have quickly popped up and are expanding quickly.  For anglers that aren’t comfortable with driving on the ice yet or there is no plowed road to they favorite fishing spot yet, 4 wheelers, side by side and snowmobiles are all still being used to get around on area lakes. 

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye anglers continue to quality walleyes on area lakes. Numbers of fish caught, each outing, swings wildly for many anglers. One day you can catch well over a dozen, then the very next day get totally skunked. Gotta love winter walleye fishing! Best bite continues to be reported in 20 feet of water and during the evening hours. Jigging spoons, tipped with a minnow head and dead sticking a good lively shiner or rainbow, continue account for the majority of walleyes being caught. 

Pike - Big pike continue to come up the hole, weather your targeting them or not. Anglers targeting them continue to find the in shallow weedy bays and continue to catch them under a tip up with a live or dead medium suckers.  Main lake points near deep water also continues to produce fish. 

Panfish - Sunfish and crappie anglers have been finding both fish inside weedbeds and on weedlines. Recent snowfall will cause the weeds to start dying back and both fish will start moving out to deeper water. Wax worms and soft plastics, both tipped on small jigs have been very effective on both crappies and gills. Anglers have been focusing the majority of their time in 15 feet of water and less.

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. 

December 15th, 2021

***Ice Report***

After a warmer then average week, last week, ice conditions changed little in the Ely area.  Ice thickness on many area lakes is between 5-8”. Good news is slush is not a issue on the vast majority of area lakes. Truthfully we have gotten no reports of slush being a serious issue anywhere. Only lakes where it is a little bit of a issue is the smaller lakes in the area. Even then, 1-2” of slush isn’t much of a issue. Snow cover on area lakes range from 3-5”. Ice roads have started being plowed and maintained with 4 wheelers on a few of the more popular area lakes. Smaller permanent houses have also begun to pop up on area lakes. 

***Fishing Report***

Pike - Pike fishing has been hot, hot, hot for both numbers and size of pike. Anglers continue to find active pike in 5-10 feet of water, in weedbeds and weedlines. River mouths and mouths of shallow bays are also worth noting as areas to check. Medium sized suckers, preferably dead, has been very effective when fished under a tip up.

Walleye - Walleye fishing has been good this last week. Interestingly the best reports have been coming in 10-15 feet of water this last week. Angler found active walleyes right on top of shallow, rocky points, and on weedlines.  Rippin raps or buckshot spoon have been effective on calling walleyes in and getting bites. Shiners or rainbows fished under a bobber also remains effective for the little less active walleyes that won’t hit a aggressive bait.  

December 8th, 2021

***Ice Report***

Finally we are getting some excellent temperatures for making great ice and making it fast. There has already been a few reports of ice as thick as 9 inches on some of the smaller lakes in the area. 4 wheeler have become a common sight on many area lakes now.  High winds, after the snow storm seemed to keep the feared slush issue to a minimal.  

***Fishing Reports***

Northern Pike - Pike fishing was excellent this last weekend as a big weather change got pike of all sizes, snapping. Anglers found active pike fishing shallow bays in 10 feet of water and less. Medium size sucker, dead or alive and frozen smelt, suspended under a tip up was the most popular way to catch pike. Multiple groups reported catching several in the high 30’s to low 40’s. 

Walleye - As ice conditions improve and anglers are now about to get to some of the more popular walleye locations, good reports have been coming in. Anglers have been finding walleyes in 20-27 feet of walleye. Base of main lake points that drop into the main lake basin have been the best locations so far, according to reports. Active walleyes were hitting jigging spoons and rippin raps, during the evening bite. Live shiners and rainbows fishing under a bobber or tip up was also very effective on walleyes and shouldn’t be over looked. 

December 1st, 2021

***Ice Report***

This week will be a poor week for ice making as daytime temps call for above freezing temps and even some rain in the forecast. Non the less, we have walkable ice on the majority of area lakes!  Small lakes are where anglers are mainly fishing right now, as that is where they are finding the thickest ice up to 5 to 7 inches. Anglers are starting to venture out onto medium size lakes, in search of walleyes. On the medium size lake, anglers are finding the biggest range in ice thickness, from 2 to 6 inches of ice. Here angling activity is still limited to near shore spots as the further you get from shore the thinner the ice gets. Large and deep lake in the area are still trying to make safe, walkable ice. In fact many are wide open, just 100 feet off shore. 

***Fishing Report***

Pike - Anglers have targeting pike back in shallow bays or inside weedbeds on small area lakes with dead smelt and dead suckers under a tip up. Many anglers have been reporting good numbers of pike, with a few big fish sprinkled in.  

Walleye - Walleye reports have been largely limited to smaller lakes in the area as they have good amounts of ice. Anglers have been finding good action, but size has been on the smaller side. A few anglers have begun to venture out onto medium size lakes, as they are now finding 4 inches of ice over deep enough water for walleyes. These anglers have been having mixed results, but they have been catching good quality size eyes.  

September 8th, 2021

Walleye - Here today, gone tomorrow, has been the story for walleye anglers this last week. Anglers reported having great success one day, in shallow water or deep water, then return the next day to find nothing. Walleyes are clearly on the move, but are biting in you can get your bait in front of them. Anglers are finding many walleyes in shallow, 10 ft or less, during the early morning or evening hours. There also remains a few reports of cabin owners catching walleyes right off their dock. Here, jigs tipped with crawlers or spinner rigs tipped with crawlers has been most effective. Deep water trolling and leadcoring has maybe been the most effective way to catch walleyes this last week. Anglers have been trolling large crankbaits 20-40ft down over 20-60 feet of water. During the day, walleyes are relating close to the bottom and can be found near points and shallow mud basins, but during the evening hours they will move out and suspend over deep water, chasing ciscos.

Smallmouth Bass - Bass anglers have been finding more and more bass sliding out to sunken islands and more and more reports of big minnows working better and better have been coming in. Falling water temps have the Bass getting ready for winter, so anglers looking to catch some of the biggest smallies in the lake, now is the time! Smaller smallies continue to be found shallow in bays or around islands. They continue to hit spinnerbaits, in-line spinners, soft plastics and topwater, but bite is quickly cooling off.

Pike - Pike are enjoying the recent drop in water temps and have started to return the shallows. Cabins owners have begun catching quality pike right off their docks again, with large suckers fished under a bobber. Anglers looking to target them should start focusing on rocky points and mouths of shallow bays. Large spoons, large spinnerbaits, topwater and large suckers are all very effective on pike this time of the year. Early morning is typically best for bigger pike right now.

Lake Trout - Lake trout anglers continue to report good fishing for them this last week. Trolling spoons behind down riggers has been the best technique, but leadcoring deep diving crankbaits has also been very effective. Anglers fishing from a canoe have been jigging heavy 1 1/2 to 2oz bucktails, tipped with either a gulp minnow or sucker minnow, over 30-80 feet of water. Anglers should focus more and more on rocky shorelines.

August 28th, 2021

Walleye - Walleye fishing has been good to excellent for many anglers this last week. Reports continue to come in, of anglers catching nice walleyes right off their docks during the evening hours, on many area lakes. Here jigs tipped with either half a crawler or with a minnow has been most effective when fished in 10 feet of water or less. Other anglers have reported catching good numbers of walleyes jigging with jigs tipped with pike suckers around sunken islands in 25-30 feet of water. Trolling large crankbaits, with leadcore, over large, deep water flats, in 25-30 feet of water has also been very effective for anglers.

Smallmouth Bass - Bass anglers continue to find more and more smallies setting up, out on deep mid-lake humps. Here anglers are, more often then not, catching them while looking for walleyes. These smallies have been hammering larger minnows like big pike suckers, tipped on a jig. For the rest of the smallies that haven’t moved out, they are hitting hitting spinnerbaits, beetle spins, crankbaits and even some topwater bait, yet. Anglers should expect the topwater bite to really cool off as water temps continue to drop.

Crappies - Crappie fishing is where the best fishing is being found right now. Anglers fishing all over have been reporting excellent crappie bites happening. Schools of crappies are being found in and around just about anything they can relate too. Downed trees, lily pads and cabbage beds have all been holding good numbers of crappies. Small jig, tipped with a minnow, jig and twister and small beetle spins have been very effective.

Lake Trout - With cooler water temps, there has been a sudden jump in lake trout reports. Angler have been catching quality lakers trolling deep diving crankbaits or trolling, trolling spoons with either leadcore or down riggers. Anglers have been finding them anywhere from 35-50 feet down in 40-90 feet of water. Look for schools of bait and you will find lakers!

August 3rd, 2021

Walleye - Walleyes seem to have slid out a little deeper this last week. Best reports continue to be fairly shallow for this time of the year. 10-13 feet of water has been where the best and most consistent bite has been. Anglers catching walleyes here have been doing so with spinner rigs, jigs tipped with leech or crawler and even slip bobber and a leech. Anglers looking for trophy walleyes have been trolling deep diving crankbaits during the evening hours, 20-30 feet down, over 35-70 feet of water.

Bass - Bass anglers continue to report excellent bass fishing on many area lakes.  Early morning topwater bite remains excellent for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. Here whopper ploppers, pop-r and torpedoes have been very effective on smallmouth, but for largemouth bass anglers have been having better luck fishing frogs in thick cover.  As the sun gets up, throwing in-line spinners, spinnerbaits and soft plastics keep anglers busy catching fish.

Panfish - Sunfish and crappie fishing continues to be very good for many anglers. Anglers report finding both in either on weedlines or in thick stands to weeds. Anglers have been catching fish with jig and twisters, casted around weedlines and lily pads. If the bite slows, simply switching to jigs tipped with a piece of a crawler or wax worms have help get the picky biters to bite. Crappie minnows have been more effective for crappies.

July 27, 2021

Walleye - Walleye anglers are continuing to find active walleyes in 4-6 feet of water, working weedlines.  Leeches, fished under a bobber, has been the best way to catch walleyes up here. Anglers have also been reporting a excellent deep water trolling bite, during the evening hours on many of the area lakes.  Here anglers are trolling deep diving crankbaits over 30+ feet of water, behind leadcore or planner boards. Anglers trolling, have been catching quality eyes!

Bass - Both smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing has been excellent on area lakes. Both have been aggressively hitting topwater early in the morning. Largemouth are being found in shallow weedbeds, wild rice beds, lilly pads or downed trees. Weedless, floating frogs have been the go to baits in these locations. Smallmouth Bass have been located on shallow boulder flats, around islands and sunken islands. For smallmouth bass whopper ploppers, torpedoes, and pop-r’s have been very hard to beat during the early morning topwater bite. As the sun gets up both bass switch over to spinnerbaits and soft plastics.

Panfish - Sunfish anglers have been reporting a excellent bite on area lakes. Small leeches fished under a bobber, inside weedbeds or around downed trees has been very effective.  Crappie anglers have been reporting a excellent bite inside cabbage beds during the evening hours. Anglers have been catching crappies with minnows under a bobber or jig and twisters, fished close to thick stands of cabbage.

July 21, 2021

Walleye - Walleye fishing remained steady this last week.  Anglers continue to find walleyes fairly shallow in 10 feet of water or less, in most area lakes. Here anglers are either finding walleyes on shallow boulder flats with night crawlers or on shallow weedlines with leeches.  There are a handful of lakes where anglers have been catching big walleyes out in sunken islands in 20-25 feet of water, with jigging raps, during the evening hours. 

Smallmouth Bass - Bass remains excellent on many area lakes, as the shallow water, early morning, topwater bite continues to be excellent for many anglers. Here, whopper ploppers, pop-r’s and torpedoes have been hard to beat.  As the sun gets up, the topwater bite cools off, so anglers switching to wacky worm or senkos and continue to catch good numbers of bass.  Large boulder flats on points and around islands have been areas to check for active bass.

Panfish - Panfish anglers have been reporting a excellent bite going on. Sunfish anglers have been reporting the best luck as of late, with these anglers finding gills working weedbeds and weedlines.  Small leeches, fished under a bobber, has been very effective on them.  Crappie anglers have been reporting that they are finding crappies out over deeper water, 15+ feet, during the day, but as the sun goes down crappies work their way into cabbage beds to feed.  Here is where anglers are having the best luck catching quality crappies with crappie minnows or small jig and twisters. 

Pike - Pike anglers continue to report catching lots of pike, but the majority of them have been on the smaller side.  Anglers continue to find active pike in classic summer time locations like weedlines and river mouths.  Spoons, spinnerbaits and large minnow baits have been very consistent producers for anglers. 

July 13, 2021

Walleye - Anglers have noticed that the walleye bite continues to improve, exspecially the shallow water bite. Anglers fishing for panfish on weedlines, ended up catching more walleyes then panfish. Leech under a bobber was the best technique here. Anglers found nice walleyes here in 4-6 feet of water. Best colors continue to be orange, chartreuse and gold.

Smallmouth - Smallmouth bass fishing continues to be excellent on many area lakes.  Anglers have been reporting that Bass have been spitting up crawfish as they bring them in, so anglers should be fishing soft plastics that look similar to crawfish. Topwater bite continues to be excellent early in the mornings with whopper ploppers, torpedos and pop-r have been the go to baits. 

Pike - Pike anglers continue to catch quality pike in shallow weedy bays and river mouths. Early mornings continue to best a high water temps send bigger pike deep as the sun gets up. Angler have been catching pike with large spooks, large spinnerbaits and large sucker minnows under a bobber.

July 6, 2021

Walleye - Many anglers struggled finding walleyes this last week, but several groups had no issue, not only catching good numbers, but catching several trophy walleye’s. These groups found walleyes in 7-12 feet of water, over large boulder flats, very early in the morning. Leeches and crawlers, fished on a spinner rig or tipped on a jig, was very effective. Orange, gold and chartreuse have been hot colors this last week. Trolling bite has started on several lakes. This has largely been a evening bite where anglers are using a deep diving crankbaits trolled over deep water, during the evening hours. 

Smallmouth Bass - Bass fishing has remained excellent for bass anglers this last week.  Topwater and soft plastics continue to be the way to go and early morning or late in the evening has been the best time to fish. Anglers have been finding Bass on large boulder flats in 10 feet of water or less.  

Pike - Pike anglers have been reporting a increase in the average size of pike they have been catching.  Anglers have been having success throwing larger spoons, spinnerbaits and in-line spinners around weedbeds and river mouths.

Panfish - Panfish anglers have been finding good numbers and size sunfish in shallow weedbeds.  Here anglers are using small leeches or wax worms under a bobber.  Crappie anglers have been finding crappies hanging out over deep water next to weedbeds.  Anglers here have been using jigs and twisters or crappie minnows.

June 29, 2021

Walleye - There seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for struggling walleye anglers.  As mayflies begin wrapping up on many area lakes, the bite has begun to improve on those lakes. Depths anglers are catching walleye varies lake to lake, but technique and locations have been very similar.  Many anglers have reported catching good numbers of walleyes in 8-12 feet of water, while others have reported catching walleyes in 18-23 feet of water.  Locations, anglers have been finding walleyes, have been main lake points and sunken islands. Spinner rigs tipped with a leech has been accounting for the majority of walleyes caught, but crawlers and even minnows have been effective on walleyes. Orange, gold and green have been hot colors. (Anglers coming up fishing should contact a resort, on the lake they plan on fishing, for current status of the may fly hatch on that lake.)

Smallmouth - Smallmouth bass fishing continues to be outstanding on many area lakes.  Anglers have been catching lots of bass early in the morning with topwater baits like hulla poppers, jitter bugs and whopper ploppers.  As the sun get up the topwater bite cools off.  Anglers switching over to wacky worms, senkos and ned rigs continue catching bass for the majority of the day.  Areas to fish have been large, shallow boulder flats. Great colors for soft plastics has been watermelon pumpkin and orange. 

Panfish - Anglers have been having success targeting crappies in classic summertime haunts.  Crappie have been hanging out over deep water during the day, near weedbeds, then sliding into the weedbeds as the sun sets.  Angler have been catching them with small jig and twisters or minnow under a bobber. Anglers fishing for sunnies have been finding them in weedbeds, downed trees and rock piles. Anglers have been catching them with angleworms and wax worms fished under a bobber. 

Lake Trout - Lake trout anglers have been having success targeting lakers this last week. Anglers have been finding them trolling large, deep divers, with leadcore over deep water. Anglers are catching trout 30 feet down, over deep water. Lakers are being seen on depthfinders chasing ciscos and smelt.

June 16, 2021

Walleye - Walleye fishing remains challenging for many, as walleye remain very scattered.  Large mayfly hatches on many area lakes only adds to the already tough walleye bite. Anglers having the best luck have been pulling lindy rigs, tipped with a leech or crawler or using a slip bobber and a leech during the early morning and evening hours.  Many of the angler using lindy rigs reported marking good numbers of fish, but often failed to catch more then one from a school walleyes, so these successful anglers stayed on the move to stay successful.  Key depths was 12-14 feet of water during the day and 6 feet of water or less during the early morning or evening.

Smallmouth Bass - Smallmouth bass fishing continues to be excellent for bass anglers. Smallmouth Bass are either on their beds now or have wrapped up spawning and are now hitting topwater or soft plastics in shallow water.  Anglers should focus on sand and gravel transition area in 6 feet of water or less.  

Pike - Pike anglers continue to report catching lots of average size pike on area lakes. Thanks to sky rocketing water temps, weedbeds are already established in area lakes.  Anglers have been finding pike in these weedbeds with spoons, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and large suckers fished under a bobber. 

Lake Trout - Lake trout anglers continue to catch good numbers of lake trout and lots of quality lakers. Trolling deep divers or down rigging trolling spoons, 20-40 feet down, has been the way to catch lakers.  Anglers fishing in the BWCA have been reporting good luck with heavy bucktails and heavy casting spoons. These anglers have been jigging the bucktails or drifting the heavy spoons over deep water.