Ely 5-6

[JohnWester]

The walleye bite has been fairly consistent among anglers "in the know". Good numbers of the prized fish are being reported nearly every day now. Basswood Lake is fast becoming THE place to go, with many limits of fish in the four to six pound range. It takes a bit of effort to make the trip, but the fishermen going there have claimed that it's well worth it. Burntside Lake once again is turning on and walleyes to thirty inches have been coming in. Shagawa Lake, right in the heart of Ely has been providing some fine "eater" size eyes in the 14-20 range. The White Iron chain is holding it's own with the same type of success rates, although this lake has a return slot of 17-26".  For those anglers in search of Smallmouth bass now is the time to make the trip here. Almost all the local lakes have ample supplies of these acrobats, that are blasting top water baits early in the day, and cranks are picking up momentum as the day wears on. The Northern pike action has slowed slightly, but perhaps that's because these other species are coming out of the woodwork. Live suckers are still working their magic with these brutes up to 20 pounds.

ELY-Babes Bait and Tackle, 451 W. Sheridan St., Ely, MN    (218) 365-6930 First business on the left as you are entering town of Ely from the west on Hwy 169