Chubs

Chubs or fathead minnows, often just called "chubs" up around Ely—are medium-sized baitfish (typically 2–3.5", with some running larger)—and a staple at Arrowhead Outdoors for walleye, bass, pike, crappie, perch, trout, and more around Ely and the BWCA. Sourced fresh from northern waters to help limit the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), they are a hardy, Perfect for fishing on Lindy rigs, jigs or under slip bobbers for crappie/perch—great all-around when you want something tougher than crappie minnows but not as big as shiners or creek chubs. Anglers love how they stay frisky in buckets, outperform smaller fatheads on tough days, and trigger bites when fish key on natural forage. Best in 65 degree or less, well-oxygenated water (keep shaded and aerated).

Seasonal Availability: Available year-round.

Toughness Scale: 7/10

Hardy and forgiving—better than crappie minnows or shiners at handling heat, low oxygen, boat movement, and long hauls (they're the "tuffies" of the minnow world). Survive well in aerated buckets or livewells for days; tough on the hook with minimal die-off. Weakness: can stress in heat/sun or overcrowding—keep cool, change water regularly, and aerate for peak liveliness!

Rainbows

These vibrant Northern Redbelly Dace—aka “rainbows” for their stunning red and yellow bellies (especially bright in spring and on males)—are small-to-medium minnows (typically 2–3.5"). We source them straight from northeastern Minnesota streams and lakes to help limit the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). Rainbows are extremely popular live bait around Ely and the BWCA, especially for walleye and lake trout anglers. The high activity level, darting flash when on the hook, and superior toughness make them far and away a top choice—outperforming standard fatheads in liveliness and staying power. Anglers rave about how they stay frisky longer and trigger more strikes in clear northern waters. Best in well-oxygenated setups and temperatures below 65°F—ideal for jig fishing!

Seasonal Availability: May thru June; very limited or unavailable in late spring/through summer due to natural cycles and warmer water conditions. Rainbow return in late September and usually stay until the end of March.

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Hardy natives—much tougher than fatheads, handle bait bucket stress well, and stay lively on the hook without quick die-off. Keep them as cool and aerated, as you can, for peak performance and more bites!

XL Rainbows

These extra-large Rainbows are a premium upgrade for walleye anglers seeking the biggest walleyes that swim around Ely and the BWCA! Bigger than standard Rainbows, these 3.5-4.5"+ beasts put out serious vibration and visibility in clear northern waters, making them deadly on jigs in the spring. Sourced locally to limit the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).

Seasonal Availability: May-early June. These minnows are in very high demand and always go quickly when we have them.

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Pretty hardy for larger minnows — good with consistent aeration and cool water, shaded, oxygenated setups.

Walleye Mix

Walleye Mix is a blend of lively minnows (typically fatheads, rainbows, shiners, creek chubs, and other river-run varieties in a perfect eater-size range) — is the ultimate all-purpose walleye bait for Ely-area anglers and BWCA trips! Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) free, this ready-to-go assortment gives you variety in one scoop: flash from rainbows/shiners, steady action from fatheads/chubs, and just the right sizes (mostly 2–5") to match what walleyes are keying on. Ideal for jigging, Lindy rigging. No guesswork: grab a scoop and go, with built-in options to experiment on the water. Fresh daily and a shop favorite for consistent walleye success in our northern waters — outproduces single-species picks on picky days!

Seasonal Availability: May-September

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Solid overall — blends hardy types like fatheads (super tough) with flashier but decent rainbows, shiners suckers, pearl dace, creek chubs and redtails; handles transport and bucket storage well with basic aeration. Tougher combo than straight shiners, great for full-day outings!

Creek Chubs

These versatile, lively, hardy minnows have great flash and strong swimming action — are a perfect all-around live bait for bass, walleye, northern pike, and more around Ely and the BWCA! Often ranging 3–8" (with some pushing larger for big-fish presentations), they're tougher than many minnows, hold up well on the hook. These minnow draw a lot of attention to themselves when on the hook. Trophy fish love them! Locally sourced to help limit the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Seasonal Availability: May- September

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Solid performers — handle cooler temps, moderate handling, and transport very well; more durable than shiners or rainbows, with good hook retention and ability to survive longer in aerated setups. Keep shaded, change water regularly, and they'll stay frisky all day!

Pike Suckers

Pike suckers are thick-bodied 3–5" baitfish with powerful swimming action and natural scent—are the go-to for trophy walleye around Ely and the BWCA. Sourced fresh from northern waters to help limit the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), they’re one of the toughest baitfish available and perfect when you want to target the big fish. Rig them on tip-ups, quick-strike rigs, bobbers, or live-bait trolling—ideal for weedlines, deep holes, or fall structure. Anglers love how they kick hard all day, outlast minnows, and trigger massive strikes. Best in cool, well-oxygenated water (keep shaded and aerated)—a true Ely big-pike essential!

Seasonal Availability: Available year around, with peak demand during the fall trophy season.

Toughness Scale: 9/10

One of the toughest baits we carry—handles temperature swings, low oxygen, boat movement, and long days far better than most minnows or shiners. Survive days in an aerated bucket or livewell with almost no die-off. Tough on the hook and hard for walleye to steal. Just keep them cool, change water regularly, and avoid direct sun for peak performance!

Lite Northerns

Lite Northerns are a excellent live bait for when you are targeting trophy northern pike and giant fall time smallmouth bass! These lively, medium-sized sucker minnows are a top choice for Ely-area anglers — perfect for tip-ups, bobber rigs or Lindy rigging. Their natural swimming action and hardy profile make them irresistible to predators in the Boundary Waters and beyond. Fresh stock arrives regularly at Arrowhead Outdoors so you get the most active bait possible and locally sourced to help limit the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Seasonal Availability: May-June, September- March

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Quite durable when kept cool and aerated — tougher than shiners and excellent for full-day trips with minimal die-off. They handle transport and bucket storage well (just change water occasionally for peak liveliness).

Heavy Suckers

Heavy Suckers — the ultimate big-pike bait! These large suckers, 9 to 14 inches, deliver maximum action and durability for serious trophy hunters. Ideal for tip-ups, quick-strike rigs, or spring bobber fishing. Locally sourced to help limit the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), fresh and ready at Arrowhead Outdoors Ely.

Seasonal Availability: May-Feb; summer supply good but often limited July-August-Mid September. Return in October- February

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Tough as nails — excellent keepers even on long trips with basic care.

Decoy Suckers

These massive — extra-large, lively white suckers rigged as attractor — are a killer combo setup for spearing around Ely and the BWCA! Sourced fresh and hardy from northern waters to limit the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). These big boys (often 14–20"+) stay active longer than smaller minnows and handle the cold like champs!

Seasonal Availability: November and December

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Very hardy like other large suckers — excellent in cold water, minimal die-off with basic aeration, and tough on the hook (hard for pike to steal without committing). Major weakness: like all live suckers, they need cool, oxygenated water (change often, keep shaded/iced); direct sun or warm spells can stress them quickly. Rig carefully to avoid injuring the decoy for max liveliness!

Leeches

These lively brown leeches—glossy dark olive-brown with that irresistible undulating swim—are a top live bait choice for walleye anglers around Ely and the BWCA, especially during the warmer months. Sourced fresh from northern waters to help limit the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), they're firm, healthy, and loaded with natural scent that triggers aggressive strikes. Available in a variety of sizes (medium 2–3", large 3–4.5", jumbo 4.5–7" when stretched)—perfect for matching conditions: mediums for average eaters or finesse bites, larges/jumbos for bigger walleyes on slip bobbers, Lindy rigs, or jigs. Anglers love how they outlast minnows on the hook, stay active longer, and pull more bites in our clear northern lakes. Best in cool, well-oxygenated water (change often, keep shaded!)—ideal for rigging or tipping jigs!

Seasonal Availability: Prime May through August (strongest May to mid June); sold by the dozen, half-pound, or full-pound containers. Sizes vary from small/medium to large/jumbo—spring-run leeches are the hardest and liveliest—grab them while they're prime!

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Very hardy—handle temperature swings and low oxygen better than most baits, surviving days in a well-aerated setup or leech locker. Major weakness: direct sun/heat—even 5 minutes can kill them. Tough on the hook and hard for fish to steal; just keep 'em cool, change water regularly, and avoid sun/heat for peak friskiness!

Wax Worms

Wax Worms — the ultimate panfish and trout bait! These soft, wiggly larvae stay active for hours on a jig or under a bobber. Great for ice fishing, open-water panfish, or tipping crappie jigs. Fresh and plump, always in stock at Arrowhead Outdoors.

Seasonal Availability: Year-round

Toughness Scale: 10/10

Indestructible when kept cool — they thrive for weeks with almost zero care.

Red Worms

Vibrant Red Worms (Red Wigglers) — small, lively, and irresistible to panfish, trout, walleye, and bass! These active little guys wiggle like crazy on a hook, perfect for light tackle, ice jigging, or tipping spoons/bobbers. Great all-around worm bait — fresh and ready at Arrowhead Outdoors Ely.

Seasonal Availability: Year-round availability — spring/summer open water for panfish/trout; consistent and reliable

Toughness Scale: 7/10

Fairly hardy for worms — better than fragile naturals but prefer cool, moist conditions; handle well for a day or two with basic care (keep in fridge or cool spot).

Night crawlers

Classic Night Crawlers — the king of worm baits for walleye, bass, stream trout and panfish! These big, juicy Canadian-style crawlers offer maximum scent and movement on Lindy rigs, jigs or slip bobbers. A must-have for shore, boat, or BWCA trips — plump and lively at Arrowhead Outdoors. We pack them in our own special bedding that make them extra fat and livelier than anyone else’s in Ely!

Seasonal Availability: April-October

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Very durable for live worms — tough in cool temps, last days with proper storage (cool soil/fridge); great keepers for multi-day outings.

Green Crawlers

Eye-catching Green Worms (glowing green nightcrawlers) — these dyed beauties stand out in murky or deep water, driving strikes from walleye, bass, perch, and panfish! Same size/action as regular nightcrawlers but with added visual flash — tip jigs, rigs, or bobbers. Exclusively stocked at Arrowhead Outdoors!

Seasonal Availability: May-September — popular in summer for open water (visibility boost in stained lakes).

Toughness Scale: 7/10

Matches regular nightcrawlers in durability — hardy when kept cool/moist; the dye affect toughness a little.

Frozen Smelt

These premium frozen smelt — sleek, silvery, and packed with natural oils and scent — are a go-to dead bait for lake trout, pike, and even eelpout around Ely and the BWCA! Thaw them out for irresistible natural action on tip-ups, or deep-water jigs — their shiny flash and strong smell pull strikes when live bait is tough to keep or in deep/cold water. Minnesota VHS Free Certified, they're firm when properly thawed. Available in standard sizes (6–7" average, some larger runs) — perfect for lake trout or pike on tip-ups. Anglers swear by them for ice season reliability and consistent bites in our clear northern lakes.

Seasonal Availability: Year around, but can they be challenging to get during the hot summer months.

Toughness Scale: 7/10

Solid for frozen bait — firm texture holds up well after thawing (better than alewives in some cases), excellent hook retention, and resists quick spoilage if kept cold. Major weakness: over-thawing or warm temps make them soft/mushy fast; thaw only what you need, refreeze unused if possible, and avoid direct sun/heat for best performance.

Frozen Alewife’s

These large frozen alewives — chunky, oily, and loaded with potent natural scent — are killer for big northern pike, and lake trout in the Ely area and beyond! Perfect as dead bait on quick-strike rigs, tip-ups, or meat presentations when you need something bigger and smellier than smelt. Their size and flash draw aggressive strikes in stained or deeper waters, outlasting softer baits on the hook during slow bites. VHS Free Certified by the State of Minnesota. Available in 7–10" — ideal for big predators on slip bobbers. Thaw carefully for best firmness.

Seasonal Availability: Year Around, but can be hard to get during the hot months of summer, July-August

Toughness Scale: 6/10

Decent durability for frozen — good scent release and hook hold once thawed, but softer flesh than smelt/herring means they can mush up quicker if over-handled or warmed.

Frozen Herring

These robust frozen herring — oily, and bursting with attracting oils/scent — are a powerhouse dead bait for trophy northern pike and lake trout around Ely and the BWCA! Ideal for tip-ups, deadstick rigs when smell is needed to call in the biggest predators. Their size and toughness make them stay intact longer on the hook compared to smaller frozen options, perfect for slow winter bites. VHS Free Certified in Minnesota. Anglers rave about the explosive strikes they trigger in our northern waters. Thaw in fridge or cool water and keep shaded!

Seasonal Availability: Year around, but they can get challenging to get during the hot summer months.

Toughness Scale: 8/10

Very hardy among frozen baits — firm flesh, excellent hook retention, and resists softening better than smelt/alewives in most cases. Survives thaw/refreeze cycles well if done properly; major weakness: extreme heat post-thaw causes quick breakdown — keep cool, ice as needed, and avoid sun for peak effectiveness!