Ely area fishing remains spectacular heading into July!
With the mayfly hatch wrapping up, anglers are hitting the mark for walleye and bass. Fall Lake has continued to produce walleye of all sizes. Just this last week, several walleyes in the 20-27-inch have been caught right at the Power Dam. The topside of Newton Falls is also producing fish, most of them smaller sized but just right for eating. Newton Lake also has been producing good numbers of walleyes, one Packsack group of 5 had their limits within 4-hours.
Smallmouth Bass are wrapping up the spawn and smashing top water lures. It seems like 15-18-inch smallies are the norm around here with anglers catching 20-inch plus pigs as well. Fisherman using leeches are also finding bass in deeper waters as well.
Anglers targeting pike have been having great luck casting spoons and spinners in towards the shorelines and weed beds. The largest pike of the week (a 38-incher) was caught while trolling with crankbaits. Anglers fishing Back Bay of Basswood Lake are catching pike on “about anything they throw”!
If you’re targeting panfish this week, you are in luck. Bluegills and sunnies are in the weed beds and as hungry as ever. Just a small piece of worm on a hook is all that is needed for the bluegills, while crappie minnows are still working with the crappie.
We have been receiving some strong reports from the paddle lakes in our area. Trekkers coming from the South Kawishiwi/Little Gabbro area are having great luck with bass and pike. Paddlers returning from the Mudro area reported catching some huge walleye on Boot Lake, and of course, nothing but great reports coming in from Crooked Lake about bass and walleye. The Basswood River produced a whopping 37-inch pike and non-stop bass action for a few lucky paddlers too.
With some beautiful weather and water temps warming up, it’s a beautiful time to be fishing the Ely area lakes. Best of Luck and watch where you’re casting!