Welcome to the 2025 Ely Fishing Season!
July 15th, 2025
Despite the wet weather, fishing has remained consistent for anglers this last week.
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye reports this last week have some anglers finding walleyes sliding back up in water as shallow as 5-6 feet. Here jigs tipped with half a crawler, leech or paddle tails and pitched to the shorelines has been very effective for anglers. Clearly not all walleyes are doing the same thing, especially this time of the year, so reports continue coming in of anglers finding walleyes with spinner rigs tipped with crawlers or leeches and worked off the edge of sunken islands, transition areas, points and weedlines in that 10-15ft of water range. There have been a few reports of trolling crankbaits working but that remains on the slow side yet. Perch, firetiger and gold color baits have been the way to go.
Smallmouth - Smallies continue to be the safe bet for many anglers as they continue to be aggressive after all these fronts keep moving through the area. As usual for this time of the year, top water fishing continues to be very good before 9am, for smallies. Anglers should be looking to current areas, large boulder flats and down trees for the most consistent action. Once the sun gets up anglers should be adjusting their tactics to wacky worms, chatterbaits, square bills, and spinnerbaits to keep catching smallies. Reports of smallie catches out around sunken islands continue to grow. Oftentimes these are some of the biggest smallies in a system.
Panfish - Both crappies and sunnies are being found right in thick weedbeds right now. Jig and twisters have been a safe bet here for both fish, but any kind of live bait definitely is working here too. If weeds are nonexistent on your lake look at downed trees. Not all downed trees are created equal so some will hold fish while others hold nothing at all. White, pinks and blues have been the best colors for panfish.
Stream Trout - Rainbows trout were easy pickings for anglers trolling small trolling spoons and/or small crankbaits over deep water. Good rule of thumb is that the brighter the better. Trout can be anywhere in 5-40ft of water so pay close attention to your depth finder. Anglers fishing from shore reported a little slower fishing than usual. Here nightcrawlers, fished 5-10ft under a bobber, red/gold kastmaster spoon or 2” white twisters were getting the job done.
Lake Trout - Lake trout reports were few and far between this last week, but this isn’t to say anglers aren’t catching nice lake trout. Large trolling spoons fished behind downriggers in 30-50ft of water were very effective. Anglers fishing from canoes mainly have been aggressively vertically jigging with heavy 5-6” tubes, while drifting over deep water.
Pike - Small pike continue to be a common catch for many anglers right now. Buzzbaits or large topwater baits fished early in the morning have been very exciting for early morning anglers. Like with the smallmouth, by 9am this bite cools off and if you want to keep catching pike, you go subsurface with large spoons, spinnerbaits and large minnow baits. Weedlines, mouths of shallow bays and areas where water comes into the lake, have been the best areas to fish.
Beautiful smallie caught right off the dock.
July 8th, 2024
Steamy hot and stormy weekend has fish settling into classic summer patterns this last week.
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye have been settling into their classic summer patterns like weedlines, sunken islands, windy shorelines and edge of points. Crawlers have been hot, hot, hot lately with many anglers reporting the best bite happening on crawlers. Spinner rigs pulled with bottom bouncers or jig and half a crawler have been getting the job done. Best depth has been 10-15ft of water with firetiger, gold and pink continuing to be the must have colors.
Smallmouth - Early morning topwater bite remains strong on many of the area's best smallmouth lakes. Anglers have been working shorelines with downed trees and large boulders for the best bite. Once the sun gets up anglers switch to subsurface bait like square bills, chatterbaits, wacky worms and Ned rigs to keep catching smallies. Walleye anglers have reported that smallies have begun moving out to sunken islands now. Majority of smallies are being caught in 10ft of water and less.
Panfish - Crappies continue to be found in shallow weed beds. Isolated lily pads have been holding crappies as well as coontail clumps and downed trees. 2” twisters and other soft plastics have been getting the job done for anglers. Sunfish bite remains strong too for many anglers. Sunfish are being found shallow in wild rice beds and weedbeds. Small leeches, green crawlers, angleworms and wax worms, all fished under a bobber, have been very effective on the sunfish.
Stream Trout - Stream trout anglers seemed to have taken the week off as stream trout reports cooled off. Still, anglers that went out looking for rainbows reported good fishing for them. Many anglers reported finding rainbows on the bottom, with a night crawler floated off the bottom with a marshmallow or a shot of air. Trolling cowbells, with small minnow baits or small trolling spoons has also been very effective.
Lake Trout - Trolling season has started for lake trout anglers in the Ely area. Majority of lake trout anglers are setting down riggers 30-50ft down and trolling large trolling spoons over deep water. Anglers fishing in the BWCA are drifting over deep water while trolling with keel sinkers and trolling spoons, in 30-80ft of water.
Pike - Large pike remain elusive for anglers this last week as large pike out over deep water chasing ciscos. Smaller pike remain active in shallow bays, weedlines and river mouths. Large spoons, spinnerbaits and large minnow baits trolled or casted around these areas have been very productive.
July 1st, 2025
Wet, hot week has fish on the move, but they are still biting if you can stay with them.
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye reports have walleyes sliding out a little deeper. Majority of walleye reports this last week has angler finding walleyes in 8-16 feet of water now. Anglers have been pulling spinner rigs, tipped with crawlers, along weedlines, transitions area along points and out over sunken islands. Gold, perch and blue spinner blades have been popular this last week. Reports of shallow water walleyes remain. Here anglers are catching walleye with soft plastics fished on a 1/8 or 1/4oz jig, over rocky shorelines. Jig and half a crawler has also been worth noting here.
Panfish - Crappies have been snapping in shallow water in and around lily pads this last week. Thick lily pad beds are no good. Scattered lily pads have been the best for crappies. Anglers have been casting small jig and twisters, crappie minnows under a bobber to these lily pads, to catch crappies. Sunfish remain shallow and are being caught back in pencil reed beds and weedbeds. Wax worms, green crawlers and angleworms, fished under a bobber have been very effective here.
Smallmouth - The once super hot topwater bite has been cooling off to mainly early morning for the best bite (before 9am). Once the sun gets up anglers have been having luck with square bills, wacky worms, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. Rocky shorelines with downed trees, large flats, out around islands and rivers are all holding active smallies. White, crawfish colors and green pumpkin have been hot colors this last week.
Stream Trout - Area Stream Trout lakes remain popular for good reason. Rainbow trout have been snapping! Limits of rainbows are being caught trolling small minnow baits or small trolling spoons over deep water. Good rule of thumb is the brighter the better as far as colors go. Anglers fishing from shore have been having really good luck casting a 2” white twister, small spoons and the tried and true nightcrawler floated under a bobber.
Pike - Pike anglers have been catching good numbers of quality pike this last week. Anglers have been throwing spoons in and around weedbeds for very consistent action. Anglers targeting larger pike have been trolling large spinnerbaits, large minnow baits and large soft plastic baits along weedlines, river mouths and mouths of shallow bays. Best depth for the bigger pike has been 8-14 feet of water.
Lake Trout - Lake Trout anglers have been reporting that lakers are slowly going deeper as surface water temps warm. Anglers have been reporting that they are catching lakers from 30-80ft of water now. Many anglers have been trolling large trolling spoons, with down riggers, over deep water to find active lakers. Anglers fishing from a canoe have vertically jigging large bucktails and tubes over deep water. Red/white, blue/white and solid chartreuse have been popular colors for tubes or bucktails.
June 24th, 2025
How shallow is too shallow for walleyes?
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - How skinny is too skinny is what walleye anglers have been asking this last week. Anglers have been reporting that they are catching quality walleyes in as little as 2ft of water this last week, even during the middle of the day, on clear water lakes. Anglers finding them this shallow have been fishing paddle tails, floating raps and leeches under a bobber. Keep in mind this is happening on windy shorelines and often over rocks. Not every lake is doing the same thing, so other anglers have been reporting a great bite happening at 6-10 feet of water. These anglers have been reporting the same baits are working here. Still other anglers have been reporting an excellent bite happening on weed lines and sunken islands in that 12-18ft of water range. Anglers fishing here are catching walleyes with spinner rigs tipped with a crawler or leech. Gold, firetiger and pink were hot colors this last week.
Smallmouth - The great topwater continues on many of the Ely area lakes, but signs are starting to show it’s slowing down. Early mornings have been the best time to fish topwater for smallies. As the sun gets up that bite cools off and subsurface baits like square bills, wacky worms, Ned rigs and paddle tails start producing equally as well. Key areas have remained the same, large boulders, rocky points, current areas and around downed trees. 10 feet and less remains the best depth.
Panfish - Sunfish have remained a popular target this last week as they are still spawning on many Ely area lakes. Small chunk of a night crawler or wax worm, both fished under a bobber, has been very effective. Anglers should be looking for sandy bottoms, in the shallows. Crappies are still being found just off weedbeds. White twisters, beetle spins and small jigs tipped with a crappie minnow and fished in 10-15ft of water. During evening hours look for crappies to slide in a little shallower, in the weedbeds.
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout fishing continues to be excellent this last week. Many anglers reported catching good numbers of rainbows with small red/gold kastmasters, 2” white twisters, small brightly colored minnow baits and night crawlers fished about 5-10ft under a bobber.
Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing continues to be good both inside and outside the BWCA. Warmer temps have pushed them down a little but anglers continue to find them in 25-80ft of water. Anglers fishing from a boat have been using down riggers to get large trolling spoons down. Anglers fishing from a canoe have been drifting over deep water while fishing with heavy tubes, bucktails or heavy spoons.
Pike - Anglers targeting pike this last week picked up and good numbers of quality pike were caught, but trophy pike, over 40”, were few and far between, which is normal this time of the year. Anglers have been using large spoons, large spinnerbaits and large minnow baits in 6-14ft of water. Weedlines, mouths of shallow bays and areas where water comes into the lake has been the areas to target.
Nice Walleye right off the dock
June 17th, 2025
The trophy Smallmouth topwater bite is on!
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye reports are indicating that walleyes are shifting out more and more to the sunken islands and mud flats. Anglers targeting walleyes out here are using spinner rigs tipped with a crawler or leech. Humps that top out in that 12-18ft of water have been the most productive humps to fish. If a mud flat is located nearby, even better. Reports continue to also come in of a good shallow water bite for walleyes. Here anglers have been doing good with minnows and leeches. Minnows during the day, pitched on a 1/8oz, firetiger, gold, pink or white jig, over shallow rocks in 6-8ft of water. During the evening hours a slip bobber and leech has remained deadly in these same locations. Wind blown rocks have been the key.
Smallmouth - Smallies have wrapped up their spawn on the majority of lakes now and have recovered from the spawn. Topwater bite is in full swing right now. Whopper ploppers, poppers, torpedoes and spooks have been catching huge numbers of smallies right now. If topwater gets to be too exciting for you, wacky worms, chatterbaits, spinners and plugs are also catching lots of smallies right now. Best depth remains 10ft of water and less.
Panfish - Sunfish have begun to spawn in many of the Ely area lakes. Shallow sand flats in the pencil reeds have been the areas to look for spawning gills. Wax worms, angleworms or small leeches fished in a bobber has been deadly. Crappies continue to be found out in emerging weedbeds during the evening hours now. Jig and twister or crappie minnows under a bobber have been very effective. Some anglers have reported catching crappies in downed trees during the day. Not all down trees are created equally, so you may have to check a few downed trees before you find the right one. Bobber and crappie minnows, fished close to the trees have been very effective.
Stream Trout - Rainbows continue to be a popular catch this last week. Some really big rainbows have been caught this last week too. White twisters have been deadly for those fishing right off shore on local stream trout lakes. Anglers fishing from a boat have been trolling brightly colored minnow baits and/or small trolling spoons. These anglers have been simply trolling along shorelines about 5-10 feet down.
Lake Trout - Lake trout continue to be found on the shallow side. 20-35ft of water continues to be the best depth to find lakers. Trolling crankbaits and trolling spoons have been effective. For anglers fishing from a canoe, they have been drifting over deep water while jigging heavy bucktails or tube jigs.
Pike - Pike reports continue to cool off, but not from a lack of catching fish. Anglers have been throwing large spoons along weedlines, river mouths and mouths of shallow bays and are reporting that they are catching good numbers of pike. Reports of anglers catching large pike while fishing a large sucker under a bobber, right off their docks.
June 10th, 2025
Walleyes are on the move and smallies are wrapping up their spawn.
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleyes continue to scatter throughout the lake with reports coming in from 3-6ft of water, tight to rocky shorelines with a slip bobber and a leech, during the evening hours. Paddle tails are also catching good numbers of walleyes here too. Other anglers are catching good numbers of walleyes in 10-15ft of water, off point or just off shallow flats with spinner rigs tipped with a crawler, leech or minnow. Other anglers are starting to find walleyes moving out to sunken islands that top out in that 10-15ft of water. Firetiger, gold and pink continue to be the hot colors this last week.
Smallmouth Bass - Smallies are either starting to spawn or just wrapping up their spawn on area lakes. Depending on where they are at with spawning on your lake, Ned rigs, wacky worms, in-line spinners and topwater baits have been catching good numbers of bass with a few big girls mixed in. Once these bass wrap up spawning this bite is going to get really hot! Regardless of the lake, anglers should be focusing their time in 10ft of water, over rock/boulders, downed trees and current areas to catch smallies. Bone, Loon and green pumpkin.
Panfish - Crappie reports are starting to indicate that crappies have wrapped up their spawn on many of the Ely area lakes. Anglers are still finding some males left in the pencil reeds, but every day they are catching less and less. Anglers are now mainly finding them in or just outside on emerging weed beds and are catching them with jig and twisters or crappie minnows under a bobber. Sunfish have been replacing the crappies in the shallows. Small angle worms, wax worms and even small twisters have been catching good numbers of big gills in area lakes.
Stream Trout - Rainbow Trout bite has been lights out this last week. Anglers have been catching nice rainbows right off the dock with red and gold spoons, small twisters and crawlers fished under a bobber. For anglers fishing out in a boat, trolling small spoons, brightly colored minnow baits and even leadcoring small trolling spoons have been catching good numbers of nice trout.
Lake Trout - Cool weather has the lakers in a biting mode this last week. Reports indicate that lakers have rise up in the water column to about 15-25ft of water, over deep water. Anglers are catching them trolling heavy spoons, leadcoring light trolling spoons and trolling deep diving crankbaits. Covering ground, looking for biters has really been the name of the game. Wonderbread, red/white and silver/blue have been good colors to troll with.
Pike - Pike anglers have been hard to find this last week despite reports of some real giants still being caught right off the dock yet. Barbie pole with a small minnow fished under a bobber seemed to be the best way to catch pike up to 45”. If you're too cool to fish with a Barbie pole, heavy suckers, fished under a bobber, remains a good backup. Spoons, large minnow baits and large in-line spinners have been very effective too. Shallow bays, and river mouths remain good locations, but pike are starting to disperse out into the lake. Main lake points and emerging weedbeds are starting to hold big pike.
Wayne with a trophy walleye
June 3rd, 2025
Walleyes are finally starting to behave like they should this time of the year.
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Thanks to another heat wave walleyes are starting to behave a little more normal, for this time of the year. While minnows continue to rain supreme, the slip bobber and leech bite has finally started. Anglers have been pitching jigs and minnows, paddle tail and minnow baits. Basically anything that looks like a minnow, fished in 3-7 feet of the water. Reason for this is that minnows are looking to spawn now. Current areas are a good start, but large boulder flats and rocky shorelines have been the best areas to fish. In the evenings a slip bobber and a juicy leech has been the most effective. Right off the dock and back to shore or right off your campsite after dinner, has been where anglers are catching walleyes under a slip bobber. Gold, pink and firetiger have been the most popular colors this last week.
Smallmouth Bass- With water temps finally getting up in the 60’s, smallmouth bass have begun to move up on their beds looking to spawn. You anglers who fish love to fish with Ned rigs, now is your time. Other anglers have been having incredible fishing with pink mepps, wacky worms, topwater, jerk baits. Key areas to fish have been large rocky flats, pretty much anywhere on the lake, as long as it’s in 4-8 feet of water. Pink, green pumpkin, and orange craw.
Pike - While anglers fishing for pike cooled off this last week, anglers flashing pictures of big pike in the shop didn’t. Big pike remain in the shallow bays in 4-7 feet of water. Fishing with a large sucker remains the best way to go if you want a fish of a lifetime, but more and more we are hearing that spoons, spinners and buzzbaits are catching good numbers of pike with some big pike sprinkled in.
Panfish - Crappies have rapped up spawning on some lakes or just started on others. Either way anglers should be looking for crappies in the shallow pencil reeds where they find the sand bottoms they need to spawn on. Small hair jigs, tube jigs or crappie minnow, all fished under a bobber, have been very effective. Sunnies too can be found in these same areas by anglers. Small red worms, wax worms or small leeches, fished under a bobber, have been deadly for big sunnies.
Stream Trout - Rainbows have been very active this last week. Anglers fishing from shore have been reporting great fishing mainly during the evening hours, right off the dock. Small red and gold kastmasters have been super effective, but the tried and true nightcrawler, fished 5-10ft under a bobber has been effective too. Anglers fishing in a boat or canoe have been doing good trolling small minnow baits while trolling right along the shoreline. Brighter the bait, the better.
Lake Trout - Lake Trout reports continue to trickle in as more anglers start looking for lakers. Anglers have been finding lakers anywhere from 7-80ft of water. Anglers finding them shallow have been looking for smallies or walleyes when they hooked into a lake trout. Anglers targeting lakers have been trolling with down riggers in 40-80ft of water with large trolling spoons. Anglers fishing from a canoe have been trolling or jigging over deep water (same depth) with smaller spoons, tube jigs or bucktails. Wonderbread, blue jeans and bloody nose have been popular colors for lakers.
May 27th, 2025
Walleyes have begun to scatter, but the bite remains strong for many.
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Little has changed with the walleyes this last week. Gold, pink and firetiger colored jigs, tipped with a minnow, continue to be the best way to catch walleyes. Walleyes have begun to scatter as angler reports range from catching trophies right off the dock in 2-5ft, to 20 feet of water. Shorelines, river mouths and large shallow shoreline flats in 3-16 feet of water, are the areas to focus on. Slip bobber and a leech bite just hasn’t started. Maybe next weekend. There have been a handful of anglers reporting a good trolling bite during the evening hours with large floating rapalas, trolled over shallow flats.
Smallmouth - Pre spawn smallies have been on the chow this last week. Many of the walleyes anglers have been reporting the smallies have taken over their walleye spots. Evenings, from 3pm until 8pm, have been the best time to target smallies as this is when the water reaches its peak temperatures. Smallies have been crushing wacky worms, Ned rigs, jerk baits and of course any kind of live bait they see. Large shallow rock flats, bays, out around islands and rivers is where to focus for smallies. Pretty much anything crawfish colored is getting bit.
Pike - Anglers experienced another great week of pike fishing in Ely area lakes. Large suckers, fished under a bobber, continues to be the best way to set your new personal best. Anglers throwing daredevils, spinners and large paddle tails also caught good numbers and size of pike. 5-10ft of water remains, shallow bays, river mouths and right off the dock remains the best place to target big pike.
Panfish - Finally some stable weather has gotten the panfish back up in the shallows and biting. Like with the smallies, afternoons are the best times to target panfish. Anglers have been finding crappies back up in the shallow pencil reeds. Small tube jigs and small hair jigs, with or without a crappie minnow, have been very effective on crappies. Sunfish seem to be hanging out a little deeper in the emerging weedbeds. Sunfish have been happily hitting a small piece of a night crawler, fished right under a bobber.
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout were a popular choice for anglers this last week. Anglers reported catching some nice trout right off the docks or right off shore with nightcrawlers set about 5-10ft under a bobber. Small silver and blue spoons were also a good choice for Brookies and Splake, also fished from shore.
Lake Trout - With the winds finally settling down a handful of lake trout reports finally came in. Anglers have been finding lakers while trolling deep diving crankbaits over deep mud flats in 15-40ft of water. Anglers reported lakers with a mixture of bugs and ciscos or smelt in their stomachs. White and blue crankbaits got the job done. Anglers fishing from a canoe mainly used heavy tubes, bucktails and heavy jigging spoons while vertically jigging them as they drifted over deep water.
May 20th, 2025
New personal best, right off the dock!
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - The much feared cold snap did little to slow down the walleye bite. Anglers that braved the cold found walleyes still snapping in that 15 foot of water range. Here a simple 1/4oz jig, tipped with a pike sucker, got the hardest hits. There were a few reports of leeches, soft plastics and crankbaits starting to work in the shallows, right off the dock in 2-8ft of water. Anglers should still be focused on current areas, large shallow flats and right off their docks for walleyes. Pink, white and gold continue to be the hot colors to have.
Pike - Cold, cloudy weather had the pike fishing hot, hot, hot! Many pike anglers reported excellent pike fishing this last week. Bobber fishing with medium to large suckers or large creek chubs were very hot. Shallow bays, current areas and again, right off the dock were the best places to tie into a giant pike.
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout and Brook trout didn’t have any issue with the cold snap either. Anglers fishing from shore reported catching some nice trout while fishing with a night crawler under a bobber about 5-10 feet down. Brook trout anglers did well casting small silver and blue spoons, white twister and floating a crawler off the bottom.
Lake trout - Lake trout reports remain elusive. High winds are likely the main reason. Not very much fun trolling/jigging in a boat or canoe in whitecaps. The few reports we have gotten have been trolling spoons or deep diving crankbaits down 20-30ft of water, over deep mud flats.
Smallmouth - Now the smallmouth bass were affected by the cold snap. Smallmouth reports quickly dried up when the temperature dropped. As temps start to rise again, anglers should expect smallies to start returning to the shallow flats, in 10ft of water and less, that are covered with large rocks. Suspending jerk baits and NED rigs will be the baits to throw at the smallies.
Panfish - Panfish too were not enjoying the cold snap. Crappies and sunnies dropped out of the pencil reeds and are now being found in deeper water at the mouth of these same bays they were just in. Crappies minnows floated under a bobber managed to catch a few crappies and sunfish for anglers.
May 13th, 2025
Walleye opener was excellent for some, slow for others.
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye opener was on the slow side for walleyes over 20”. Numbers of small males, some still milking, was a common report from anglers. As of Monday night, reports of big walleyes over 20” started coming in, so it seems the big females are recovering from the spawn and are looking to put some weight back on. Anglers catching these big walleyes are saying a 1/4oz jig, tipped with big rainbows, pike suckers or lite northerns, is getting it done for them. River mouths and right off the dock have been the areas where this bite is happening. Why suckers? Suckers are spawning in the same rivers as the walleyes just did and walleyes are looking for an easy meal. White, pink and gold were the colors to have and 10-15ft.
Pike - Pike anglers reported some good pike fishing this last weekend. Large suckers, fished under a large bobber, was the ticket for catching some huge pike. Traditional spring pike locations like river mouths, large shallow bays and right off the end of the dock were all excellent places to catch big pike.
Crappies - With a week's worth of bright sun and calm winds, reports of anglers finding a good crappie bite started coming into the bait shop. Anglers have been finding nice crappies back in shallow bays, in the pencil reeds, during the evening hours. Warm water has been the key to catching crappies, so the shallow lakes in the area have been producing best for anglers. Hair jigs or small tubes, fished under a bobber have been the ticket here.
Smallmouth Bass - Smallies started showing up for anglers right away this year. Large shallow rocky flats have been the area to focus on for smallies. With water temps in the low 50’s at best right now, fishing slow has been the key to catching these smallies. Suspending jerk baits fished as slow as you can has been very effective for smallies. Another key is to fish later in the day after the water temps have had a chance to hit their peak for the day.
Stream Trout - Stream trout reports were limited this last weekend as many angler’s focused on walleyes. The few stream trout reports we got were all on the positive side. Anglers mainly caught rainbows while fishing with a slip bobber and a night crawler suspended about 5 ft under the surface. Small handful of anglers targeted brook trout with small silver and blue spoons, casting along shorelines with good success.
Lake Trout - Lake Trout reports were even more limited than stream trout. Few reports were from anglers that had limited success trolling deep diving crankbaits in 20-40 feet of water over deep mudflats.
Will Goebel with a nice stringer of walleye on opener weekend
March 26th, 2025
Crappie fishing continues to improve as great ice conditions remain.
***Fishing Report***
Crappie - Crappie fishing continues to improve as we get closer to the best month for crappies, April. Generally speaking the evening bite continues to be the best bite, but reports of early morning bite picking up have been coming in. Anglers continue to find crappies in the traditional crappie holes, in 20-30 feet of water. Wax worms tipped on small tungsten jigs continue to be very popular, but crappie minnows under a bobber and soft plastics on jigs have been accounting for their fair share of crappies too.
Lake trout - Forecasted snow storm kept many lake trout anglers away last weekend. The few reports we got were of good trout fishing. Humps and mud flats seemed to be the areas anglers found active lakers. Blade baits continue to shine as well as minnows under a tip up. Key depths continue to be 25-40 feet of water.
Stream Trout - Splake and rainbow trout continue to be popular targets for stream trout anglers. Splake are being found very tight to shore now in 5 feet of water and less. Small jigging spoons tipped with waxies or dead minnow have been very effective here. Rainbows have been a very different story. Anglers continue to find active rainbows out over 30-70 feet of water, but 5-10 feet under the ice. Small jigs tipped with waxies worms have been very effective here.
***Ice Conditions***
Little to no changes happened to the ice this last week. Trout lakes continue to have between 24-26” of ice while the panfish lakes have between 30-37” of ice. Areas to watch out for are current areas and popular accesses. A few of the more popular accesses with lots of vehicle traffic have started to rot from salt and sand tracked onto the ice.
March 19th, 2025
Great ice conditions, great travel conditions and great crappie fishing is to be had right now!
***Fishing Report***
Crappie - Crappie anglers were out in force this last week as spring crappie fishing improves. Anglers have been reporting that crappies have mainly been biting in the afternoon hours on many Ely area crappie lakes. Crappies still remain on the negative side so wax worms have been best with crappie minnows and soft plastics also working, but just not as good.
Lake Trout - Anglers continue to report catching good lakers this last week. Many anglers have shifted their focus to deep mud flats to find active lakers. With no snow on the ice anymore, sunlight is able to get through the ice and bugs have started getting active. With bugs there’s minnows and with minnows there’s lakers. Blade bait continue to produce the best results, but bucktails and tubes are still catching trout. Small to medium size minnows under tip ups have also been producing trout.
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout continue to be found 5-15 feet under the ice over 20-70 feet of water. Small spoons or jigs tipped with a wax worms continues to catch trout. Splake and Brook trout are being caught in somewhat shallower water 5-20 feet. Dead minnows on a jig, or small spoons tipped with waxes have been very effective on them.
***Ice Report***
Ice thickness remains 20-36” depending on the lake you are on. General rule of thumb is lake trout and large stream trout lakes are around the 20” mark while your panfish lakes are generally between 30-36” of ice. Anglers should be aware that with recent rains current areas have started to open up. There is very little to no snow left on area lakes, so leave the snowmobile at home.
March 12th, 2025
The much awaited spring crappie bite has begun!
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Lake trout reports continue to be positive for many anglers this last week. Anglers' locations have become really scattered throughout the lake. Large mud flats, humps surrounded by deep water and main lake points have all been producing good numbers of lakes and lots of quality lakers too. Blade baits like spoons and vibratos have been accounting for the majority of lake trout. Depths this week ranged from 20-50 feet of water. Many anglers reported marking and catching lakers 5-15ft under the ice.
Crappies - Crappie anglers continue to report mixed results this last week. Many anglers reported that crappies are now being seen high off the bottom, but remain fussy. Live minnows suspended under a bobber proved too hard for many crappies to pass up. Now that the snow has burned off and warm temps are in the forecast, the crappie bite should only get better.
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout continue to be easy to find and easy to catch. Anglers are finding them over deep water, 30-70 feet of water, but are catching them 5-10 feet under the ice. Small spoons tipped with waxies. Small soft plastics tipped on a small jig have also been very effective.
March 5th, 2025
Crappies were on the minds of many this last weekend for good reason!
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Lake trout continues to be a boom or bust venture for some anglers. Anglers that are on the trout, are on the trout with big trout and numbers being landed. Many anglers have been reporting that lakers are flying high in the water column, just under the ice. Anglers continue to focus in 30-50 feet of water, but are seeing lakers 5-15 feet under the ice. Blade baits and spoons have been the most effective as of late. Anglers have been tipping them with minnow heads to help trigger bites. Dead bait laying on the bottom has also been effective for some anglers.
Stream trout - Rainbow trout have been active and flying high just like the lake trout. Anglers have been fishing 30-70 feet of water, but have been catching rainbows 5-15 feet under the ice. Small spoons and small jigs tipped with wax worms or soft plastic have been effective for rainbows.
Panfish - Warm, spring-like temps had many anglers thinking crappies this last weekend. While many anglers scraped together some crappies, the bite wasn’t hot and heavy yet. Anglers did report seeing some groups of crappies on their flashers. Soft plastics, crappie minnows And wax worms tipped on a jig were effective. Anglers have been finding them in 20-30 feet of water.
February 26th, 2025
Warm weather has anglers thinking crappies!
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing has gotten to be a little hit and miss and warm temps settle into our area. Anglers on the trout are reporting that they are seeing good numbers of trout with a handful of hook ups. Increasingly spoons and blade baits are accounting for the majority of trout caught. Key depths are on the shallow side 20-40 feet of water. Humps have been producing good numbers of trout.
Stream Trout - Spake and rainbows were popular catches this last week. Splake have been a little more structure related than rainbows and are being found near points and flats in 20-40 feet of water. Rainbow trout on the other hand have not been very structure related. Rainbows are being found in 40-60 feet of water over deep mud flats. Anglers have been doing better with Splake with a dead minnow or minnow head on a small jigging spoon. Rainbows have been hitting waxies tipped on a small jigging or jigging spoon.
Eelpout - Eelpout are really starting to become a common catch for anglers looking for lakers. Dead bait laying on the bottom, on humps or near shallow flats, has been effective on eelpout. Anglers targeting eelpout have now been able to catch them all day, but generally do best during the low light periods and after dark. Bright glowing, heavy spoons and glowing tubes, both loaded with dead smelt of minnow chunks has been very effective on eelpout.
Panfish - Panfishing was on the slow side last weekend. Two or three days of warm temps generally doesn’t move the activity needle for panfish. With a week of warm temps panfish will start responding. Anglers have been finding crappies and gills in 20-30 feet of water. Gills have been relating more to the bottom and hitting small jigs tipped with wax worms. Active crappies have been suspended off the bottom and have been more inclined to hit soft plastics and crappie minnows also suspended in the water column. Pink, purple and white colored jigs have been effective on crappies.
February 19,2025
Cold weather has kept the lake trout bite going strong!
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing continues to be good for many anglers as cold temps remain. Several large lakers were caught this last weekend in 30-50 feet of water. Blade baits, bucktails and tubes all produced trout. Tip ups tipped with a dead smelt or small minnow also was effective on lake trout this last weekend.
Stream Trout - Splake continued to be a popular catch for many anglers this last week. Anglers have been finding them between 20-40 feet of water. Small tubes, soft plastics and dead minnows, tipped on a small jig or jigging spoon have been very effective on Splake. Rainbow trout have also been a popular catch for anglers this last week. Rainbows have been running a little deeper in 40-60 feet of water. Small bug flies, tipped with a wax worm or dipped in scent, have been very effective at getting rainbows to bite.
Walleye - Walleye fishing continues to be slow but steady which is normal for mid February. Less active minnows like chubs, deadsticked on a rattle reel, continue to be the most popular and effective way to catch walleyes. 12-18 feet of water continues to be where the majority of walleyes are being caught.
Eelpout - Eelpout continue to show up in anglers' catches, day and night. Anglers fishing for lake trout have been finding eelpout out on humps that top out in 15-30 feet of water, surrounded by deep water. Walleye anglers have also been catching eelpout in shallower water and near river mouths in 10-20 feet of water. For both locations, heavy bright glowing jigs loaded with smelt chunks and pounded on the bottom has been very effective.
February 12, 2025
Cold temps always seems to turn on the Lake Trout bite!
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Lake Trout fishing has remained on the good side as cold temps settle into the area. Many anglers reported seeing good numbers of lakers this last weekend and many anglers came home with trout. Lakers were being seen in a little bit shallower than normal. 20-40 feet of water. Blade baits, spoons, bucktails and tubes all accounted for trout. If lakers didn’t hit any of those baits, small to medium size shiners often sealed the deal.
Stream Trout - Splake were a popular catch this last weekend for many anglers looking for stream trout. Splake were often found on flats in water depths of 15-30 feet of water. Bucktails, blade baits and small jigging spoons tipped with a wax worm or dead minnow. Anglers also caught rainbow trout, often while targeting Splake. Smaller jigging spoons tipped with wax worms was the best way to catch them.
Walleye - Walleye fishing continues to improve for many anglers spending nights out on the lake. Deadsticking chubs with bright glowing glow demons have been the most effective way to catch walleye during the overnight hours. Depths continue to be shallow in 12-16 feet of water.
Eelpout - Anglers continue to see more and more eelpout show up in their overnight catches. While many are catching them in the sleeper houses placed in 12-16 feet of water, deep locations out around humps in 20-40 feet of water have been more consistent for catching. Bright glowing spoons loaded with smelt chunks or minnow chunks are popular, but bright glowing tubes are also very effective on eelpout.
February 5th, 2025
Big walleyes continue to show up in shallow water.
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Lake Trout fishing was good for many this last week. Anglers reported catching trout in 30-40ft of water. Flats and sunken islands have been the best areas to target for lakers. Blade baits, bucktails and tubes in silver, blue and chartreuse have been very effective on lakers. Suspending a sucker 5-10ft off the bottom, under a tip up, has also been effective.
Walleye - Walleye fishing has steadily improved this last week. Anglers have mainly been catching quality walleyes in 10-16ft of water, overnight, in their sleepers. Less active minnows like chubs have been the bait of choice for successful anglers. Glow demons in orange or green have been the colors to use.
Stream Trout - Splake were a popular catch this last week for many stream trout anglers. Salted crappie minnows or gulp minnows, tipped on a small tungsten jig or jigging spoon, has been very effective. Key depths for Splake has been 20-40 feet of water. Rainbow trout have also been biting for many anglers. Small jigs or spoons tipped with wax worms have been effective for them. Key depths for them has been 5-15ft under the ice over 10-40ft of water.
Eelpout - Eelpout continue to pop up in anglers catches. 6-12ft of water continues to be the depth anglers are finding them. Heavy spoons, loaded with minnow chunks and pounded on the bottom has been very effective. Areas anglers have been finding them has been river mouths and shallow rocks.
January 29th, 2025
Walleye fishing picked up this last week, so did the wind!
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing was a little mixed this last week as warm temps and high winds came to the area. Anglers that were able to locate the active lakers reported catching good numbers with some quality trout mixed in by the end of the day. Bait of choice bounced from bucktails, to tube, to jigging spoons, so if you're marking trout but fail to get hookups, switch baits. Best depth remains 30-40ft of water.
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout and Splake were popular targets this last week and for the most part cooperated with anglers. Rainbow trout were mainly found cruising downed and standing timber. Depth for them was 20-50ft of water. Splake too could be found in those depths, but 15-30ft of water seemed to be a little bit better. Small spoons, small tungsten jigs and rippin raps were all effective baits for catching both rainbows and Splake.
Walleye - Walleye fishing took a turn for the better this last week as several sleeper houses reported catching limits of walleyes overnight. Key depth for these houses was 12ft of water. Deadsticking a minnow under a rattle reel was the most effective way to catch walleye. Small handful of anglers also reported catching walleyes in 25-30ft of water, also deadsticking a minnow near the bottom.
Eelpout - Multiple reports of eelpout being caught on several different lakes in the Ely area have been coming in. Seems 5-12ft of water, near river mouths is where eelpout are being caught. Deadsticking a lively minnow and jigging brightly glowing spoons, loaded with smelt chunks or minnow chunks and pounded on the bottom has been effective.
Panfish - Panfish reports were limited this last week as this is simply not the time of year for them. Anglers targeting them reported slow fishing. 25-30ft of water is the depth they located them. Small jigs tipped with a wax worm or crappie minnow were effective in getting them to bite.
January 22nd, 2025
2025 Trout opener did not disappoint!
***Fishing Report***
Lake Trout - Overall, lake trout anglers were not disappointed for lake trout opener. Many anglers reported catching good size lakers with white flukes, tubes, Swedish Pimples and bucktails. Key depths were 30-50 feet of water, with flats and large main lake points, close to very deep water, were the best locations to find active lakers. Live suckers suspended 10-15ft under the ice also produced lakers.
Stream Trout - Stream trout fishing hit with a bang for just about everyone who targeted them. Majority of groups reported that they had caught their limit before noon on opening day and threw back another limit. Small jigging spoons, tipped with a wax worm or dead minnow, and fished 5-10ft under the ice, was deadly. Anglers targeting brookies found brookies tight to shorelines in 6ft of water or less. Dead minnows on a small jigging was very effective here.
Walleye - Walleye fishing continues to be slow. Anglers catching any walleyes have been catching them over night on dead sticks. Bright glowing jig tipped with a minnow has been the ticket for getting bites. Best depth continues to be in that 25-30ft of water range. Deep rocks or mud flats have both good areas to fish.
Eelpout - Eelpout reports have begun to pop up. Anglers have been finding eelpout in shallow water in 5-10ft of water. Shallow rocks and shallow rocks near creek mouths have been areas to target. Jigs loaded with minnow chunks or smelt chunks and fished close to the bottom. Many anglers have been reporting that the eelpout they are catching are full of crawfish.
