Bite in Ely!

Just a week before trout opener this warmer weather has really kicked things up in Ely. Jumbo perch and some great eater walleye were on the menu for today’s outing. The walleye were still biting well after the sun set, and were very active on the VMC 1/8 oz rattle spoons in 23 FOW. This coming weekend’s forecast is looking great for kicking off the hard water trout season too. Browns, Brookies, Splake, Rainbows and Lakers can all be found in several lakes within just a few miles of each other in and around the Ely area. If you’re getting an itch for trout this should be a great year to scratch it away!

Very cool, esp. the perch. Didn’t know of too many perch lakes in that area, but glad to hear you’re on them. Guessing things get pretty busy once trout opener hits? Will you be out after lakers primarily once that season comes in?

Thanks!

Joel

Joel,
You’re right that this isn’t a very good fishery for Perch, but in a few lakes they dominate the walleye spots right before the eyes start biting. The lake I was fishing yesterday is one of a few in the area that will give up 12-15″ perch, but they are seldom in great numbers.
As for the Lakers and Stream Trout, I tend to spend equal amounts of time fishing each. The Rainbows and Splake make excellent table fare averaging 15″-17″ at 2-3#s and I tend to fish early light for them. Then I head in for the Lakers around 10-11 am and fish them until sundown.

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Joel,
You’re right that this isn’t a very good fishery for Perch, but in a few lakes they dominate the walleye spots right before the eyes start biting. The lake I was fishing yesterday is one of a few in the area that will give up 12-15″ perch, but they are seldom in great numbers.
As for the Lakers and Stream Trout, I tend to spend equal amounts of time fishing each. The Rainbows and Splake make excellent table fare averaging 15″-17″ at 2-3#s and I tend to fish early light for them. Then I head in for the Lakers around 10-11 am and fish them until sundown.

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You spoiled man you! Very cool to have all the stream trout options, I really like that. I hear what you’re saying too about those perch on the walleye spots. Many a tip-up on structure has tripped from perch on those rocky, esp. clear lakes I’ve fished. Similarly, it’s been my experience that we don’t get many, but the ones we do are quality. Congrats on the good fishing, looking forward to seeing and hearing more once the trout fishing kicks in.

Joel

I’m all geared up for LT season. Ice cabin is ready, portables cleaned and ready, plow truck is ready, and I’m chomping at the bit. Last year 18 pounds was the biggest with alot of 8-12 pound average fish. This year I’m looking at getting a 20+ for a wall.

Let me know if you need any help getting any roads out.

Thanks for the offer I should be fine unless I have break threw the ice. If anyone you know who needs snowplowing done this winter on bside or slowbank or any other lake I’m available all winter till I have to go make hay in the spring.

has anyone heard or been out on white iron, farm, or garden near silver rapids having any luck with the eye bite?

Yea I was doing good on white iron from November 20th to mid December. The walleye go into hibernation till late march.

I was fishing Farm a few weeks back, was getting the Eyes in about 20-25 feet off gradual breaks. Some fat females in the mix. Use gold spoons with dark or glowing colors like the VMC goldfish pattern tipped with a rainbow smelt head. I use a tip up for my other line with a 4-6″ sucker on it. Fish when the sun is visible in the sky. Or at the break of dawn until sundown. The bite drops after dark.

In all honesty if you want walleyes this time of year LOW, red would be your best bet. I’ve been fishing my whole life up here and there’s not a good bite after Christmas. I hammer them first ice and last ice. If you wanna tangle with big fish this time of year set up your lake trout stand on a arrowhead lake.

I think it relates to the spots though bud, and the presentation. I was out today with a buddy and he pulled up a nice fat 20″ male. I’ve been doing quite well lately getting nice fish between 16-23. You are right about the lakers though, once season opens up I’m almost exclusive to trout, but I still hit clear lakes like Shag after leaving Bside or wherever I was fishing trout that day and still do well on the eyes. Conditions and location on the lake have been key in finding nice fish when they are “hibernating.”

I agree with you to still have action with walleyes mid winter, but the bite never has that consistent pattern as first ice and last ice. I frequently switch gears on bside&snowbank after the sun goes down and target walleyes. Sometimes they are stacked thick other times not a thing. Personally I think the Canadian Shield lakes have winter time walleye lockjaw. I do know for a fact from experience the 23-30 inch fish pretty much vanish after the ice gets 8+ inches.