February 27th, 2024

***Ice Report***

No improvements were made this last week in the Ely area. Ice thickness remains between 12-16” on shallower lakes in the Ely area and 8-14” on deeper lake trout lakes. Very little to no snow has travel limited to skates, foot, 4 wheelers and side by sides. 

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing has been challenging to say the least. Many anglers, this last week, struggled to get lakers to leave the bottom or even stop and show interest in their baits. Small jigging spoons and live bait placed 6-12” off the bottom seemed to be anglers best approach to catching lakers. Sunken islands that top out in 20-40 feet seemed to be the most productive structure to fish. 

Panfish - Panfishing has been like the weather. One day hot, next day ice cold. Finding panfish doesn’t seem to be the issue anglers are having. Finding panfish that aren’t glued to the bottom and active is the challenge. Drilling lots of holes and moving has been key for a successful outing. Crappie minnows, under a bobber, for negative panfish has been productive on negative panfish. Panfish suspended off the bottom have been hitting small white or red colored soft plastics.

Stream Trout - Rainbow trout were a popular target this last week. Anglers reported good fishing for them on several area lakes. Early in the morning, anglers found them in shallow water 5-15 feet. Later in the day anglers found rainbows out over deeper water, 20-50 feet of water. Either location, rainbows are being caught 5-15 feet under the ice on small spoons or tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms. 

Eelpout - Recent full moon has eelpout activity high and a lot of anglers taking full advantage. Bright glowing tubes or heavy pout spoons, loaded with chunks of minnows and pounded on the bottom, has been very effective. 25-45 feet of water, around sunken islands or sharp drop offs close to flats have been the areas to look for eelpout. Depth seems to change every night, so find fish first before setting up for the night. 

February 20th, 2024

***Ice Report***

Little improvement happened this last week, with ice thickness, on area lakes. Anglers continue to report 8-14 inches of ice on area lake trout lakes. Thickness remains very inconsistent. Out on crappie and walleye lakes, anglers have been reporting 12-15” of ice. Snow cover is almost non-existent, so 4 wheelers and side by side are the best way to travel on area lakes. 

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing proved to be challenging this last weekend for trout anglers. Many anglers reported inactive lakers that stayed tight to the bottom in 30-50 feet of water. Lakers would come in, look, gone. Pounding the bottom with heavy tubes, tipped with suckers bellies, was effective to draw in lakers and keep them interested enough to bite. 

Stream Trout - Anglers reported good fishing for rainbow trout on area lakes. Best fishing seemed to be early in the morning. Small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms or a dead minnow, dead sticked, have been very effective. Anglers report rainbows coming through 5-15 of water. Some big Splake have been caught this last week. Anglers catching these Splake are fishing in 15-25 feet of water. Rippin raps, small bucktails and small tubes have been effective.

Crappies - Crappies have begun to get active late last weekend. Anglers are finding them in 20-30 feet of water. Small jigs tipped with crappie minnows have been effective for inactive crappies while soft plastics have been better for active crappies. Purple, orange, pink and wonder bread have been the best colors. 

Eelpout - Eelpout have remained active again this week. Anglers continue to find eelpout deep in 45-65 feet of water. Bright glowing tubes or pout spoons, loaded with minnow chunks, have been very effective on them overnight. 

February 13th, 2024

***Ice Report***

Another warm week, with rain, then freezing temperatures have actually improved ice conditions on Ely area lakes. What little snow we had on the ice, is now largely gone thanks to the rain we got last week. Freezing temperatures and high winds quickly locked up any standing water. 12-16” of ice is being reported on just about all Ely area lakes. Lake trout anglers are still finding pockets of 8-9” of ice on lake trout lakes. These reports have been keeping anglers from driving out on the ice, so 4 wheelers and side by side continue to be the best way to travel on local lakes. 

***Fishing Reports***

Lake Trout - Lake trout reports were good going into the weekend, but as the weekend wrapped up, the bite had slowed. Anglers have been reporting that bigger lakers were flying high, right under the ice. Small lakers were staying tight to the bottom. Those high flyers have been very challenging to get to bite. Many anglers have been saying they fly in, look, gone. Lakers on the bottom have been hitting small suckers or rainbows, right on the bottom, in 30-50 feet of water. 

Walleye - Walleye fishing suddenly improved pre rain and even post rain. Time of day has not changed. It’s still a evening and after dark bite, but many anglers reported that walleyes were hitting jigging spoons again, as well as rattle reels. Rainbows and pike suckers were the most effective minnow and 20-25 feet of water, over deep mud. 

Crappie - Crappies were really starting to get active last week, until the rain started. Anglers were finding active crappies 10-15 feet off the bottom in 20-30 feet of water. Small tungsten jigs, tipped with soft plastics, waxies or crappie minnows. 

Eelpout - Eelpout continue to keep popping up in anglers catches as they continue to get more and more active during the evening and overnight hours. Heavy jigs and bright glowing tubes, both loaded with minnow or smelt chunks and pounded on the bottom, has been very effective. Depths anglers are reporting is different every night, but have been between 30-60 feet of water, over deep flats, around sunken islands are along sharpe drop offs. 

February 6th, 2024

***Ice Report***

Ice conditions have changed little in the Ely area this last week. Angler have been running 4 wheelers, snowmobiles and side by sides on area lakes. Walleye, crappie and stream trout lakes have between 12-16” of clear, solid ice. Lake trout lakes are a little behind with 8-12” of clear solid ice. Snow cover varies from 5” to nothing. With the warm temps, slush has popped up on many area lakes, but has not been much of a issue for anglers. 

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing was slow but steady for many anglers. Some real quality lakers were caught this last week on red/white and chartreuse colored tubes. Early and late in the day seemed to be when those big trout were active. Small suckers on the bottom, under a tip up, was very effective on those lakers that were inactive and wouldn’t leave bottom. 

Crappies - Warm, late March like temps had many anglers out looking for active crappies. Many angler were not disappointed! Active crappies were caught 10-15 feet under the ice, over 20-30 feet of water. Crappie minnows and soft plastics in white or red, were very effective. 

Stream Trout - Warm temps had rainbows and Splake active in area lakes. Rainbows were hitting wax worms and salmon eggs, tipped on a small tungsten jig and dead stick. Key depth for rainbows was 5-10 feet under the ice in 20-30 feet of water. Splake on the other hand we’re liking a active bait. Small ripping raps, small 3” tubes and waxies on a spoon were all effective. Key depths for Splake were 10-15 feet of water. 

Walleye - Walleye fishing was on the tough side this last week. Deadsticking or rattle reels accounted for the majority of walleyes caught this last week. Evening and overnight hours have remained the best time. Small handful of walleyes were caught mixed in with crappies too. Mud flats have been the best areas to target in 20-25 feet of water. 

Eelpout - Eelpout reports are starting to trickle in as eelpout become active. Anglers have been finding them pretty deep in 50-65 feet of water. Deep flats have been best. Bright glowing eelpout jigs or bright glowing tubes, loaded with minnow chunks or frozen smelt have been getting bites

January 30th, 2024

***Ice Report***

Warm temps have cooled off the ice making process. Little progress was made this last week. 6-12” of ice is being reported on local lake trout lakes. 12-16” of ice is being reported on other area lakes. Thanks to warm temps, slush and water on the ice has become very common on area lakes. This issue is expected to grow as water temperatures remain in the forecast.  

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout fishing remains slow for many anglers. Many of the lakers being caught this last week, were caught with a sucker suspended just off the bottom, under a tip up. Deep flats in 30-50 feet of water have been best. 

Walleye - Walleye anglers reported good fishing this last week. Best bite has mainly been after dark, in 20-25 feet of water. Rattle reels tipped with a lively minnow, like a rainbow, has been the most popular for successful anglers. 

Crappies - Warmer then usual temps had many die hard spring crappie anglers out and about checking spring crappie spots. Unfortunately many were not greeted with traditionally good spring crappie bite, but rather slow late January bite. Deep holes, over 20 feet of water, held crappies. Active crappies hit small tungsten jigs, tipped with soft plastics. Old standbys like a crappie minnow under a bobber, was also very effective on crappies.

Stream Trout - Many anglers focused on Splake and Brook trout this last week. Anglers reported them being on the fussy side too. Lots of trout seen coming into baits but rejecting the bait. Deadsticking a freshly salted minnow proved to be the best technique to get them to bite. Splake were mainly found in 15-30 feet of water while Brook trout were found in 5 feet of water or less. 

January 23, 2024

***Ice Report***

Ice conditions have slowly improved this last week on Ely area lakes. Shallower walleye and stream trout lakes, ice thickness is being reported between 12-15” of nice clear ice. Ice conditions on lake trout lakes are  now being reported between 6-11” of ice. 

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Lake trout have been unusually fussy this last week. While many anglers reported catching trout, many of them reported that lakers were reluctant to chase baits. When lakers get like this pounding the bottom can be very effective. Heavy spoons and bucktails, tipped with minnow chunks has been the best lures for this technique. Key depth has been that 30-50 feet of water, over flats. 

Walleye - Walleye fishing has now mainly become a overnight activity. As sleeper houses continue to pop up on area lakes, overnight fishing has become very popular. Houses placed in 20-25 ft of water, over mud, have been doing the best. Active rainbow under a deadstick or rattle reel has been accounting for the majority of walleyes being caught now. 

Stream Trout - Rainbows have been actively cruising just under the ice. Anglers have been deadsticking small jigs tipped with wax worms or salmon eggs about 3-6 feet under the ice. Splake fishing was good this last week too. Splake are being found deeper in 15-25 feet of water. Jigging spoons tipped with waxies or minnow heads, have been effective. Laying a dead sucker on the bottom has been effective for big Splake. 

January 16th, 2024

***Ice Report***

Ice conditions have improved greatly on all area lakes these last few days. Ice roads continue to pop up and expand on many area lakes. Lakes with ice roads are reporting 12-14” of clear solid ice. Ice reports from lake trout lakes went from 3-8” reported on Friday to 7-11” on Sunday. Only a matter of time before anglers start driving on these lakes. 4 wheelers and snowmobiles were common sight, on lake trout lakes, this last weekend. 

***Fishing Report***

Lake Trout - Many Lake Trout anglers were not disappointed for Lake Trout opener. Anglers did best fishing flats in 30-50 ft of water. 4” tubes, worked aggressively, were the most productive presentation. Sucker minnows, fished under a tip up, also accounted for it fair share of fish. 

Stream trout - Rainbows, Browns, Brook Trout and Splake were all active for trout opener. All trout were caught with small jigging spoons or tungsten jigs, tipped with soft plastics or wax worms. Rainbows were found 5-10 feet under the ice, brookies and browns were found on shallow flats that had weeds or timber and last but not least, Splake were found near the bottom in deeper water 15-20 feet of water. 

Walleye - Walleye fishing has been surprisingly good considering the cold snap that just moved into the Ely area. Anglers continue to find active walleyes in 20-25 ft of water, over mud flats. Bite windows being reported are between 4-6pm, then another one from 9-11pm. Jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head has been very effective, but a dead stick or rattle reel, set with active minnow, has been accounting the majority of walleyes being caught. 

Pike - It’s been challenging to fish for pike this last weekend given holes freeze over fast, but pike anglers have been reporting good numbers being caught. Deep water then usual, 10-17 ft, has been the best. Medium to large size suckers or frozen smelt has been the baits of choice. Deeper flats near river mouths or near weedbeds have been best. 

Panfish - Panfish reports have really cooled off as many panfish angler switch to stream trout now. Crappies continue to be found hanging out in deep water, but have been laying tight to the bottom. Anglers have had to work hard to get these fish to bite. Small jigs, tipped with small soft plastics or wax worms have been best.

January 9th, 2024

***Ice Report***

Excellent ice making weather has come to the Ely area and even better temps are coming! Ice roads have begun to pop up at popular accesses and permanent houses have returned to traditional fishing spots. 10-13” of clear ice is being reported just off the ice roads. Pockets of thin ice are still being reported, so if you plan on venturing off the ice roads be cautious. 4” of fresh snow has also caused slush to pop up in areas. 

Lake trout lakes have been a different story. Handful of anglers have been out checking ice on Burntside lake and have been reporting 3-7” of clear ice out there and growing. No reports of ice conditions on Snowbank has been reported to us yet and we are waiting to hear from Snowbank Lodge. Anglers looking to fish Snowbank should call Snowbank Lodge for a current ice report. 218-365-6032

Miners Lake - Reports from Miners lake have been 8” of clear ice, but there are pockets of thin ice, as thin as 2-4”. 

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing has settled into its classic mid January fishing. Short 2 hour window, mostly negative fish. 4-6 is your window for the most activity. Jigging spoons or ripping raps call fish in, but a suspended minnow, under a bobber accounts for the majority of bites and fish landed. Popular depths continue to be in that 18-23 feet of water. 

Pike - Pike fishermen continue to have good reports of quality size pike being landed. Sucker minnows fished in 10-15 feet of water, fished under a tip up, has been very effective. Flats and near river mouths has been the area to focus on for active pike. 

Panfish - Crappies continue to be found laying on the bottom in 25-35 feet of water, on area lakes. Many anglers have been reporting that fish come in, look, then drift away. Sunfish on the other hand have been more active and showing up in anglers catches. Sunfish have been mixed in with the crappies, out over deep basins. Waxies, tipped on small jigs have been hard to beat for sunnies. Jumbo perch have been active on a few area lakes. Perch up to 15” are being caught on walleyes spots, but mainly during the day. Minnows under a bobber has been accounting for the majority of perch caught. Mud flats in 15-20 feet of water has been where to look for them. 

Stream Trout (inside the BWCA) - A few anglers have started to venture into the BWCA stream trout lakes looking for mainly brookies. Fishing has been a little slow, as little snow cover has shallow water brookies a little skittish. Anglers have been focusing in 5 feet of water or less, close to timber or weeds on shallow flats for brookies. Small jigs or spoons tipped with wax worms or soft plastics have been effective.

Lake Trout (inside the BWCA) - We have yet to hear reports of anyone going into lakes within the BWCA and fishing for lakers yet. With forecasted temperatures, we expect that to change soon.

January 2nd, 2024

***Ice Report***

Finally, some good ice making weather is here and appears to be here to stay for the foreseeable future. Lakes have added as much as 4”+ since our last report. 4 wheelers and small permanent houses have returned to many area lakes. Open water still exists on the deeper lake trout lakes, but for other lakes in the Ely area, 5-9” of clear ice is being reported by anglers. 

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing continues to be a evening affair on area lakes. Angler continue to report that the bite starts about 3:30pm and often continues until 5pm on area lakes. Jigging spoons and deadsticking a small sucker has been very effective for anglers. Key depth remains in that 20-25 feet of water range, but good reports in water as shallow as 10 feet continue to come in.

Pike - Pike anglers continue to report excellent fishing for large pike with tip-ups and medium sized suckers. Shallow weedy bays, river mouths and shoreline flats, have all been effective areas to find active pike. 

Panfish - Panfish fishing has been challenging for anglers. Clear ice and lack of snow has made panfish spooky to say the least. Any movement on the ice sends the panfish the other way. Anglers have had to work hard for bites. Small crappie minnows, deadsticked, and small jigs tipped with waxies have been effective on panfish. Panfish are being found in 25-32 feet of water. 

BWCA Lake Trout - Unfortunately nothing but bad news here. Trout lake, Knife Lake and Basswood lake all were wide open for the 2023-2024 winter lake trout opener. This was confirmed via flyovers from the US Forest Service and current NOAA satellite images of the Arrowhead region. Reports from the Gunflint side of the BWCA were pretty much the same for lakes over there. Wide open. *

December 26th, 2023

***Ice Report***

Ice conditions continue to deteriorate on Ely Area lakes, as temps in the 40’s and heavy rain came to the area. Reports of 4 wheelers and side by sides breaking through the ice, were reported last week. Anglers who placed permanent houses out last week, spent Christmas Eve pulling them back to shore as heavy rain came to the area. Ice thickness varies wildly from lakes opening up, to 8” of clear ice. Anglers are strongly encouraged to travel only by foot with spud bar, ice picks and check as you go.

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye bite has been consistent on a handful of popular area lakes. Best reports have been coming from 12-16 feet of water, over mud flats and weedlines, during the evening hours. Jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head has been very effective. Deadsticking larger minnows like pike suckers has been the best way to get those walleyes that are a little less aggressive and won’t hit a jigging spoon. 

Pike - Pike anglers have been reporting that the pike fishing has been very good this last week. Anglers continue to find large pike active in shallow bays with green weeds. Large sucker minnows or frozen smelt have been very effective when fished under a tip up.

December 19, 2023

***Ice Report***

Rain this last week did little to improve our ice conditions, but thankfully the last two days have been below freezing and have helped improve our ice conditions. 10-12” of solid clear ice is now being reported on area lakes. 4 wheelers and side by side are becoming a common sight on area lakes. 

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye bite has switched to the last hour of light now, on area lakes. Walleyes have seemed to of slide out a little deeper, in 20-23 feet of water now. Jigging spoons, tipped with a minnow head has been very effective. Pike suckers fished on a dead stick has also been very effective, if the jigging spoon doesn’t do the trick. 

Pike - Pike anglers continue to have good success tip up fishing back in shallow weedy bays and around river mouths. Large suckers and frozen smelt have been very effective, under a tip up. Anglers should focus for pike in 10 feet of water or less. 

Panfish - Panfish anglers have been reporting that they are having good luck on shallow area lakes. Anglers have been focusing on fishing the deepest water they can find, in these shallow lakes. Soft plastics and crappie minnows, fished under a bobber has been effective for them. 

December 13th, 2023

***Ice Report***

Little has changed with ice conditions on area lakes. Temps as high as 50 degrees knocked ice thickness down to 3-4”, but with recent cold temps we have climbed back up to about 7” of good clear ice on area lakes. 

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing was nice and consistent this last weekend. Anglers catching walleyes have been catching them in classic 18-22 feet of water, over mud flats, but a handful of anglers have been having great success in 4-6 feet of water, in weeds. Both anglers have been having best success after dark, dead sticking a nice lively minnow. Jigging spoons and rattle baits has also been effective for the more aggressive walleyes. 

Pike - Pike fishing continues to be very good for many anglers on area lakes. River mouths and shallow, weedy bays, in 10 feet of water and less has been very good for pike anglers. Large suckers or frozen smelt, fished under a tip up has been very effective for anglers. 

December 5th, 2023

***Ice Report***

Early ice reports varied greatly from angler to angler, last weekend, from not enough to walk on, to 7” of good clear solid ice was reported. Thickest ice was commonly found in sheltered bays and close to shorelines. Further out from shore people ventured, the thinner the ice quickly became.

***Fishing Report***

Pike - Tip up fishing for pike was a popular choice last weekend as anglers were able to find good ice on popular pike bays. Medium to large suckers and frozen smelt proved to be very effective. Anglers focused their efforts in shallow, weedy bays, in 5-10 feet of water. 

Walleye - While thick enough ice to walk on, out to walleye spots, was somewhat limited, anglers managed to find some walleyes at the mouth of shallow bays and weedlines. Anglers fishing here caught walleyes with buckshot spoons, tipped with a minnow head and a minnow fished under a tip up, in 15-18 feet of water. Best fishing was right at sundown. 

November 24th, 2023

***Ice Report***

Cold temps have finally come to the Ely area and local lakes have begun to freeze. As of today, November 24th, there is no safe ice, but given the long range forcast, we are expecting anglers to be out on the ice by December 1st.

Live Bait will return on November 30th, by 12pm.

October 10th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Anglers continue to report a excellent walleye bite happening on area lakes. Much to many anglers surprise, shallow water continues to the place to find active/aggressive walleyes. 10-15ft has been where the best action is happening. Jig and a minnow or lindy rigs with a big minnow worked along shoreline structure has been best, but sunken islands have also been good.

Smallmouth - Smallies have largely set up, out on sunken islands now. Sunken islands that top out in 10-25 feet of water and are close to some of the deepest water in a lake tend to be the best humps for smallies. Large minnows fished on a lindy rig and worked around the sunken island has been very effective.

Stream Trout - Stream trout has been a popular choice for anglers as stream trout activity increases as water temps cool off. Shore fishing has become a popular choice as trout come close to shore. Shallow gravel flats has been the best areas to find trout. Anglers have been floating a crawler off the bottom or crawler under a bobber for best results.

September 26th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing cooled off this last week as multiple fronts moved through the area and rain keep many anglers off the water over the weekend. Anglers that ventured out reported catching walleyes with crankbaits or jig and a minnow dragged on the bottom. Key depths continue to on the shallow side. 4-15 feet of water. Popular colors have been pink/white, blue/white and orange/chartreuse. 

Smallmouth - Bass anglers too, we’re few and far between. Anglers did report some good bass fishing using beetle spins and in-line spinners, working shoreline structure. Anglers fishing out around sunken islands have been having great success fishing with medium size sucker minnows. Anglers have been mainly lindy rigging them, around humps that top out at 10-25 feet of water. 

Pike - Pike anglers have been enjoying this wet weather. Large suckers fished in shallow bays, river mouths and rocky points have been producing some very large pike. This bite should only get better as water temps continue to fall. 

Crappie - Crappie anglers were reporting so excellent bites, right up to the weather change, on area lakes. Anglers have been fishing throwing beetle spins, jig/twisters and crappie minnows, fished under a bobber. Cabbage weeds and downed trees have been areas to focus on for crappies.

September 19th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Fall walleye anglers struggled a little this last weekend. Anglers were largely unable to find walleyes in their traditional fall locations, but not all struggled. Anglers catching walleyes we’re finding them in very skinny water. 7-9 feet of water was the most commonly heard depth, but great reports as shallow as 4 feet of water are still being reported by successful anglers. Minnows continue to be the bait of choice for successful anglers. These anglers have been using lindy rigs or a simple jig tipped with minnow and worked over shallow rock and weedbeds. Pink, blue and orange/chartreuse remain top colors. 

Smallmouth - Smallmouth bass continue to transition out to sunken islands. Anglers have been using sucker minnows, on a lindy rig, to target the big smallies out there. Best depth out here has been 15-25 feet of water. Not all smallies have left the shorelines yet, so anglers can still find smallies on shorelines with topwater baits, Ned rigs and wacky worms. 

Pike - As water temps continue to drop, big pike (30+ inch) continue to show up in anglers catches. Anglers targeting them have been having great success throwing large spoons, in-line spinners, and fishing large suckers under a bobber. Areas to target are going to be river mouths, mouths of shallow bays, and rocky main lake points. 

Panfish - Crappies continue to be a popular target, for good reason. Anglers have been catching good numbers of crappies with jig/twisters, beetle spins and crappie minnows under a bobber. Anglers are starting to find crappies increasingly near deeper holes, but still close to cabbage beds. Evening hours near weedbeds has been especially good. 

September 13th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing continues to largely be a shallow water game. Anglers continue to report excellent bites happening in 4-10 feet of water tight to shorelines. Anglers fishing here are pulling gold, perch and orange spinner rigs, tipped with a crawler. Many anglers have reported that the shallower you go the bigger the walleye. Other anglers have been reporting a excellent bite happening out on sunken islands that top out in 10-20 feet of water. Anglers fishing out here have been having success using pike suckers on a lindy rig or 1/4oz jig. 

Smallmouth - Smallmouth continue to transition out to sunken islands as they prepare for winter. Sunken islands located next to deep wintering holes have been the best for location for trophy smallies. Anglers serious about targeting the biggest smallies, out on these humps, have been using lite northern suckers on a lindy rig. 

Panfish - Crappies continue to be a very popular target on area lakes. Angler continue to find active crappies relating to cabbage beds, downed trees and even lily pad patches. Small jig/twisters, beetle spins and crappie minnows fished under a bobber have been very effective on active crappies. 

Pike - Been a while since we have gotten any decent pike reports, but with the more normal, seasonal temps, quality size pike have started to become active again and anglers are catching them. Anglers have been throwing large suckers, large spoons, large spinnerbaits and even large flies. Shallow bays, weedbeds and river mouths are places anglers have been catching pike.

Stream trout - Streamers are starting to slide a little closer to shore and water temps have begun to cool off. Shore anglers have really noticed this transition. Shore anglers have been having good success fishing with small spoons, small spinners, jig/twister and night crawlers either floated off the bottom or under a bobber. Angler fishing from a boat have been catching trout with small crankbaits, small spoons trolled out over deep water. 

September 6th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - With the recent heat wave, the growing minnow bite cooled off quickly. Savvy anglers who adapted to the heat wave, switched to crawlers and fished them on a spinner rig. These anglers had no issue catching walleyes over the weekend. Anglers found them still out of sunken islands, in 15-25 feet of water. Now with the cool snap and return to normal fall temperatures, anglers should expect the fall, big minnow bite to come back strong. 

Smallmouth - Big smallies continue to transition out to sunken islands and feed heavily as they prepare for winter. Anglers looking to catch the biggest smallies of the year should be fishing with big minnows on a lindy rig. Humps that top out in 10-25 feet of water, with deeper water very close by are going to be the best ones to fish. Large jerk minnows and paddle tails, fished in the same area, has also been very effective.

Panfish - With the heat wave, crappies we’re very active on popular area crappie lakes. Anglers targeting crappies found active crappies working cabbage beds, downed trees and lily pads. Beetle spins, jig/twister and crappie minnows under a bobber have all been very effective on crappies. 

Stream trout - Stream trout were a popular choice this last weekend, but results seemed to be mixed. Anglers fishing from a boat trolled small crankbaits, behind cowbells with mixed success. Anglers fishing from shore mainly fished with a slip bobber, with a crawler suspended between 10-15 feet down. Again, their success was mixed. 

August 29th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Walleye fishing has remained strong on many area lakes this last week. Anglers continue to find walleyes deep, in 12-20 feet of water. More and more anglers are looking to minnows and trolling crankbaits to catch their walleyes. Anglers fishing minnows are working them on a jig, around current areas, windy humps, windy shorelines and windblown points. Anglers trolling crankbaits have been trolling baits over large flats, again in 12-20 feet of water, during the day. 

Smallmouth - Smallies continue to be found more and more out on sunken islands, mixed in with walleyes. Anglers catching smallies out here have been throwing paddle tails and flukes on heavy 1/2oz jigs. Anglers can still find smallies on shoreline, downed trees and in large rivers. Anglers fishing here have been throwing topwater lures, Ned rigs, wacky worms and in-line spinners for active smallies. 

Panfish - Crappies continue to be a popular choice for anglers and for good reason. Crappies are being found in thick stands of cabbage, or around downed trees. Evening hours seems to be the most consistent bite for anglers and jig/twister, beetle spins and crappie minnows. Sunnies too have been very popular this last week. Anglers are finding them in the same areas, but anglers are catching them on live bait more than artificial.

Stream Trout - The stream trout bite has been very hit or miss for anglers this last week. When trout are cooperating, anglers are catching them on small kastmasters, in-line spinners and night crawlers floated off the bottom, about 2 feet, with a marshmallow. 

Pike - Pike anglers have been reporting catching quality pike this last week, in shallow weedbeds. Anglers have been throwing large streamers, poppers, spoons and fishing a sucker under a bobber. Early mornings have been noticeably the best time to target larger pike, while smaller ones remain active all day.